Public Protests Against Mandatory Hijab Spread to Other Major Cities in Iran

Following reports of public protests by several women against mandatory hijab in Tehran, newly released images indicate that this movement has spread to other major cities in Iran, including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. On Wednesday, February 1, an image was shared on social media showing a woman wearing a chador, hanging a scarf on a stick, and waving it. Reports state that this woman acted in Mashhad. Additionally, another photo was released showing a different woman holding a small child and protesting against mandatory hijab by waving a white scarf. Images of two women protesting mandatory hijab in Shiraz and Isfahan have also been published. Furthermore, images of several men have emerged, showing them waving scarves or holding placards to express solidarity with the women taking this action. According to images shared on social media, a post on an electric pole in Enghelab Street, Vasal Square, states that 'dress is free in this place.' Reports indicate that a police vehicle is present at the scene. This electric pole is the location where one of the women first protested against mandatory hijab. Public protests against mandatory hijab began in December with the release of a video showing a woman protesting against mandatory hijab on Enghelab Street. This woman, known as the 'Girl of Enghelab Street,' had attached her scarf to a stick and was waving it like a flag while standing on an electric pole. This action was interpreted on social media as a sign of opposition to mandatory hijab, and the video and images received widespread attention. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist who has been following the situation of this woman, announced on February 1 that she has been released. Ms. Sotoudeh previously stated that she did not yet know the name of this girl, adding that 'she has a 19-month-old child and is 31 years old.' Some social media users have identified this woman as 'Vida Mohadd,' but no other reports have confirmed this claim. On Monday, February 9, additional images were shared on social media showing at least six people in Tehran and one person in Isfahan repeating this action by climbing electric poles. Meanwhile, Nasrin Sotoudeh stated in an interview with Radio Farda that a bail of 500 million tomans has been issued for one of these women named 'Narges Hosseini' after her arrest, and she has taken on the legal representation of this young woman. At the same time, the Tehran prosecutor confirmed reports regarding the arrest of one of the protesters against mandatory hijab. Amnesty International, on February 4, called for the immediate release of the young woman known as the 'Girl of Enghelab Street,' describing mandatory hijab in Iran as 'discriminatory and humiliating.' Following the 1979 revolution, the use of hijab became mandatory for women, and a law regarding this was later passed. According to Islamic Penal Code, 'Women who appear in public without proper hijab will be sentenced to imprisonment from 10 days to two months or fined from 50,000 to 500,000 rials.' In this regard, Iranian authorities have launched a plan called 'Guidance Patrol' years ago to combat what they call the spread of 'bad hijab and various Western clothing' in Iran, one of its tasks being to confront clothing deemed 'inappropriate.' However, according to some judicial and security officials, this controversial plan, which has many opponents, has not been very effective.