Newspaper Report: Merchants Discontent Over 60% Sales Drop Due to Morality Police Presence

Pressure on women in the country and the violation of individual and social freedoms of half of Iran's population with the return of the 'morality police' as 'Noor Plan' has once again become a concern for the people, especially for women who do not adhere to mandatory hijab. According to a field report by the Etemad newspaper, merchants are also feeling the impact of this concern. The newspaper reported on Wednesday that merchants in Tehran expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that with the return of the 'morality police', the number of their customers, especially women, has significantly decreased. One shopkeeper told Etemad, 'People prefer to change their route to avoid encountering the morality police, and when the morality police vehicle stops near us or passes by, we are constantly stressed that they won't close our shop.' Although the economic conditions of society are one of the factors contributing to the market slump, merchants have reported to Etemad that 'the presence of the morality police in the streets and the fear of sellers and customers of shop closures and arrests' has caused their sales to drop significantly, worsening the situation. One shopkeeper mentioned that he cannot force people who do not believe in hijab. Criticizing the economic conditions of the country, he stated, 'The economy is bad, and these events have exacerbated the situation, reducing our sales by about 20 to 30 percent.' An old wholesaler told Etemad that the head of the clothing union asked him not to allow 'unveiled women' in, a behavior that this 63-year-old merchant said 'is not in line with his dignity and ethics.' Many sellers told Etemad's reporter that 'our customers have decreased by 60 percent. No one dares to come this way. If a customer wants to pass through here, they are chased by motorcycle and van, caught, and taken into the van.' Since April 14, the plan to confront optional hijab by the police in Iran has resumed, and reports indicate the use of violence by officers in this new round of confrontation with the public to enforce mandatory hijab. From the arrest of women who do not believe in mandatory hijab to the closure of medical, recreational, and restaurant centers, this police action has faced widespread criticism on social media. Some media outlets have also reported that the bill known as 'Chastity and Hijab' has not yet become law and that citing it has no legal basis. Dozens of lawyers condemned the 'violent actions' of the so-called 'morality police' against women opposing mandatory hijab in a statement, deeming the continuation of government policies in this regard as 'against the law and public freedoms.' In this statement signed by 61 lawyers, 'the right to freedom and choice of clothing and immunity from any assault' is listed among the 'deep demands' of women, and the return of the morality police and the start of a new phase of 'coercive policies' against women is described as 'a historical regression to the past.' Alireza Zakani announced the cooperation of the Tehran municipality with the police to implement the 'Noor Plan.' The 'morality police' or 'Noor Plan' is a propaganda show of the government to impose mandatory hijab and intimidate the people. The support of various pillars of the Islamic Republic for the so-called Noor plan represents a new effort to suppress women. A representative of Khamenei in the Kayhan newspaper called for the replacement of the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill with the 'Noor Plan.' Protests from 61 lawyers: Confrontation with women opposing mandatory hijab is against the law and public freedoms. Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb protested against the 'militarization' of Iran and the government's 'war declaration' against women: 'We will not remain silent.' Dozens of civil activists and political prisoners stated: The goal of the government's war against women's hair is to create an atmosphere of fear and terror among the people. Another narrative of the 'Noor Plan' to confront opponents of mandatory hijab: Officers also 'assault' verbally. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament defended the 'correct path of the Noor Plan'; Prince Reza Pahlavi stated: 'It is an organized assault against women.'