Increased Pressure on Food Establishments During Ramadan; Widespread Closure of Food Outlets

With the coincidence of Ramadan and Nowruz and the peak of Nowruz travels, the closure of food establishments in various cities in Iran has intensified. In the latest case, the state news agency IRNA reported the closure of 24 food units in the city of Rey. Mohammad Qasem Torahani, the police commander of this county, stated on Friday, March 23, that the closures were carried out in accordance with resolutions issued to ensure what he called the "observance and preservation of the sanctity" of Ramadan. Rouhollah Yari Zadeh, the police commander of Dezful, also mentioned on March 18 that "officers, in coordination with the judiciary, sealed 15 food and restaurant units due to non-compliance with the laws regarding business activities during Ramadan." On March 18, the state broadcaster IRIB announced that 4 violating restaurants in the city of Abhar were closed for "failing to comply with the laws regarding business activities during Ramadan." In line with these actions, the head of the Hamadan Chamber of Guilds also reported on March 17 the closure of 35 violating units that, according to him, "did not respect the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan." Additionally, the police commander of Qom province reported on March 18 the closure of three units due to what he termed "disrespect" to Ramadan. Mohammad Reza Mirheidari stated that 14 monitoring teams from the Guild Front of the so-called Tharallah Headquarters, along with police personnel, have been patrolling certain squares and neighborhoods in Qom province. According to him, as part of this plan, more than 43 "moral and guild warnings" have been issued to eateries; 34 closure warnings have also been issued, and those responsible have been summoned to the Public Security Police's Places of Business Department for legal action. Eating and drinking in public during Ramadan is prohibited in Iran from dawn until sunset, and is considered "unjustified and without religious excuse fasting," which is deemed a "forbidden act" that can lead to punishments including flogging. According to Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, "Anyone who openly displays a forbidden act in public and streets, in addition to punishment for the act, will be sentenced to imprisonment from 10 days to 2 months or up to 74 lashes, and if the act committed does not inherently carry a punishment but violates public decency, they will only be sentenced to imprisonment from 10 days to 2 months or 74 lashes." Kazem Sedighi, the interim Friday prayer leader of Tehran, who recently had his land-grabbing case exposed, previously stated that "displaying fasting without justification" is among the "immoral acts" and that the "Islamic government has a duty" to confront it. Continued therapeutic closures; two eco-tourism complexes in Qeshm were closed. Continued efforts by the government to impose mandatory hijab; female employees in Qom province must wear chadors and be without makeup.