Continuation of 'Closure Therapy' in Iran; Mandana Cinema Closed Due to 'Improper Hijab' of Two Moviegoers

The manager of Mandana Cinema announced that the moral security police, under the orders of the District Prosecutor's Office of Greater Tehran, closed the cinema due to the attire of two audience members. According to Mohammad Qasem Ashrafi, the police provided two photos showing the improper hijab of a 12-year-old child and a woman, leading to the closure of this 62-year-old cinema. This industry official criticized the sudden closure, stating it caused significant financial damage to the cinema. Previously, the Golshan Cinema in Mashhad was also closed on the grounds of 'non-compliance with hijab regulations.' In recent months, the Islamic Republic has attempted to combat opposition to mandatory hijab by closing hundreds of businesses, tourist sites, entertainment venues, and even pharmacies and doctors' offices. For instance, the police chief of Amol reported the closure of 12 businesses on June 30 in line with enforcing hijab laws. According to the manager of Mandana Cinema, judicial authorities cited both the hijab of the audience and the cinema's lack of safety as reasons for halting its operations. However, Mohammad Sadegh Ashrafi expressed surprise at receiving warnings about the cinema's safety. He told Mehr News Agency that he received another letter alongside the closure notice, stating that Mandana Cinema was not deemed safe for operation. Ashrafi pointed out that the cinema is fully equipped with 'all safety equipment' and questioned, 'In a city like Tehran, with so many unsafe buildings, should a cinema be the first to be closed?' The Islamic Republic officials have yet to provide details regarding the safety concerns of Mandana Cinema. A member of the Tehran City Council stated that there are 129 'very dangerous' buildings and about 11,000 'dangerous' buildings in the capital. Abbas Jahani, a former member of the Iranian Engineering Organization, emphasized the importance of timely preventive measures, urging the Ministry of Housing, the municipality, the cultural heritage organization, and fire departments to address these building issues as soon as possible. Tehran is on the danger line; 11,000 'dangerous' buildings in the capital. Opposition to mandatory hijab; International exhibitions in Qazvin were also closed. A cultural heritage ministry official dismissed the manager of a historical site, stating that respect for religious principles is our red line. The Golshan Cinema in Mashhad was closed under the pretext of 'the improper hijab of attendees.' Two bookstores in Rasht and Babolsar were closed due to 'the improper hijab of customers.' The prosecutor's office in Qeshm seized a boat due to 'mixed-gender recreational activities of tourists.'