Secretary of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution of the Islamic Republic Describes Hijab as a 'Political and Security Issue'

The Secretary of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution of the Islamic Republic believes that hijab cannot be seen as 'merely a cultural matter' and that the cultural aspect of hijab is insufficient. He asserts that 'certainly, hijab is a political and security issue.' Abdolhossein Khosrowpanah emphasized in an interview with the state newspaper 'Iran' that one of the reasons political games have entered the cultural domain of hijab is due to enemy investment in the hijab issue. According to him, 'the enemies of the Islamic Republic' have exerted all their efforts to activate 'the less-hijab-wearing segment in Iran.' He also stressed that it is a mistake to think that 'because the enemy treats hijab as a political-security issue, we should also confront all those who are caught up in less hijab with a political-security approach.' Khosrowpanah considers the approach to hijab as 'fundamental' and emphasizes the need to use various cultural tools such as films, series, animations, novels, or teaching the wisdom of hijab in schools and kindergartens. Last year, on the eve of Ebrahim Raisi's trip to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly, he claimed in an interview with CBS News that hijab in Iran is not mandatory but rather a cultural issue, and women 'spontaneously and voluntarily' observe it. The political nature of the hijab issue was also raised recently by Ali Khamenei. On Tuesday, April 15, Khamenei supported the forces backing mandatory hijab during a meeting with Islamic Republic officials and explicitly stated that 'unveiling is both religiously and politically forbidden,' claiming that 'the enemy has entered with a plan' and added, 'we must also enter with a plan.' Shortly after, Ebrahim Raisi responded to the increase of women wearing optional hijab in cities by saying, 'Do not worry at all,' and 'know that this situation will definitely be resolved.' Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, responded to a question from a VOA reporter regarding Raisi's threats about hijab, stating, 'We believe that women in Iran and everywhere else should be free to choose their attire.' Khamenei's approach to hijab and its political nature has led government-affiliated media to choose a new path in addressing this issue. In this context, one of the media outlets linked to the security institutions of the Islamic Republic announced that these women protest against mandatory hijab in exchange for money. The Tehran-based newspaper 'Kayhan,' which operates under the representative of Ali Khamenei, wrote on April 26 that the opposition of Iranian women to mandatory hijab is 'unveiling' and that by 'delving deeper into the enemy's program,' one can see 'behind-the-scenes movements.' However, unfortunately, many who have 'fallen for the enemy's insinuations' are unaware of the 'trap' they have fallen into and the 'ground' on which they are playing. The 'Tasnim' news agency, affiliated with the Iranian government's security institutions, also claimed on May 2, based on information from its reporter from 'some security and law enforcement sources,' that 'recently several individuals have been arrested' who were 'tasked' with 'receiving payment' to 'move around in the streets' with a 'specific type of clothing' that does not conform to 'Iranian norms.' Mohammad Ghoravi, a member of the Society of Teachers of Qom Seminary, also stated that 'unveiling' is politically 'forbidden' and said that 'everyone has a duty to act according to the framework of the law, and the police must seriously pursue the confrontation with unveiled women according to their announcement.' For several months, the three branches of the Islamic Republic have collaborated to prepare the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill, which was approved by the relevant commission at the end of August. This bill, if finally approved, will impose various penalties on opponents of mandatory hijab, and by the decision of the representatives of the parliament, this bill was reviewed and approved according to Article 85 of the Constitution, which means it does not require voting in the public session of the parliament and will be sent directly to the Guardian Council. United Nations human rights experts expressed serious concern about the so-called 'Chastity and Hijab' bill in a statement on September 1, calling it 'gender apartheid.' The confiscation of citizens' vehicles for enforcing mandatory hijab; the Minister of Interior is involved. Determining the duration of the 'experimental implementation' of the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill is on this week's parliamentary agenda. The case of Mehdi Yarahee has been sent to the Islamic Revolutionary Court. The state newspaper 'Iran' stated that 'we will not hold a referendum on hijab because the media capacity of the opponents is stronger.' Parisa Salehi, a journalist from the 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' newspaper, has been summoned to the prosecutor's office. A flogging sentence has been issued for an engineer opposing mandatory hijab; Zeinab Kazemi: 'I do not regret my cry for justice.' 77 tourism and accommodation centers in Iran; Isfahan ranks first. Roya Nonahali appeared without mandatory hijab at the House of Artists.