The Policy of Mandatory Hijab and the Necessities of Time

"The policy of mandatory hijab in the Islamic Republic is completely wrong." These words from Mohammad-Reza Zayeri and what transpired during the first free-thinking forum on mandatory hijab in Qom city are the topics of today's program 'Another Voice' with Mohammad Javad Akbarin and also a conversation with Elham Heydari, a wrestling judge in Canada. No protests were held, no glass was broken, no poorly veiled female dolls were burned, and no summons was issued in the Special Court for Clergy. At the ceremony titled the first free-thinking forum on mandatory hijab in Qom, unprecedented statements against mandatory hijab in Iran were made. Mohammad Reza Zayeri, a cleric affiliated with the conservative faction, emphasized that the policy of mandatory hijab in the Islamic Republic is completely wrong. This conservative cleric criticized the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, stating that its advertisements have undermined hijab for 35 years, portraying it as something for maids, the poor, and miserable women. We are joined by Mohammad Javad Akbarin, a religious scholar residing in Paris. Mr. Akbarin, what is changing in Qom that Mr. Mohammad-Reza Zayeri is making such statements in this city? Mohammad Javad Akbarin: I believe a more realistic section of the clergy, which is also trusted by the regime, has become aware of the alarming statistical results in recent years. Let me explain these two points. When I say a more realistic section of the clergy, which is trusted by the regime, I refer to the characteristics of the very center that organized this event. This program was organized by 'Khaneh Khorshid' according to what the media reported, and the Islamic Propagation Office of the seminary. The current director of Khaneh Khorshid is someone who is the cultural advisor of the Jamkaran Mosque. His taste aligns with that of Mr. Khamenei and the regime. Mr. Morteza Wafi is his name. His father is a representative from Yazd in the Assembly of Experts. I want to say to consider these factors and on the other hand, the Islamic Propagation Office of the seminary, whose head is appointed by the Supreme Leader and whose council is approved by the leadership. This more realistic section of the clergy has become alarmingly concerned about the statistical results and realities conveyed to them. They have communicated their concerns to the leadership and the regime has allowed them to address this issue because they are trusted by the system. Mr. Akbarin, Mr. Zayeri's statements were not the only issue raised at this event. On the same day, Mr. Mohammad Aghasi, the head of the Student Opinion Polling Center, also stated that Iranian society is not in good shape regarding moral virtues. Mr. Aghasi announced that based on four surveys he conducted, in 1975, 75% of people wanted their wives to be veiled. However, this figure dropped to 36% in 1994, and it seems that from 2006 to 2014, the public's perception of chador as hijab decreased by ten percent. Interestingly, it appears that the surveys only asked men about their opinions on their wives' hijab, and women themselves were not even considered qualified to express opinions on this matter. We have heard about confidential research before. But why are these studies being published now? In line with my first response, it can be understood that the more realistic section of the regime has concluded that this situation needs to be corrected. It can even be predicted that they might think about alleviating the pressures of the morality police and allowing society to be somewhat freer if they do not suddenly resolve the issue of mandatory hijab with a decree. However, if they are going to do such a thing, they prefer that its preparations, groundwork, and implementation be managed by those who are trusted by the regime, rather than by those whom the regime accuses of cultural laxity or those it accuses of being influenced by cultural invasion. These issues are more politically attributed to the reformist or moderate factions. Those who organized this session in Qom, all the participants and those who are now publicly presenting these statistics, are individuals whom it can be assumed the regime can confidently entrust the project of approaching the removal of mandatory hijab, feeling somewhat more at ease that those it considers victims of cultural invasion will not benefit from it. Mr. Akbarin, returning to Mr. Zayeri's statements, this is not the first time Mr. Zayeri has commented on hijab. In your opinion, do you think these statements and the silence and calm of the religious community in response to them mark the beginning of a practical change in the hijab situation in Iran? Do you think the project you mentioned is going to be genuinely implemented at the societal level in the near future, or is it still at the level of seminars and assessments, essentially gauging the reaction of the religious community? Firstly, this seminar discussion and gauging reactions has already been conducted but in a more confidential manner. It is not just speculation. There is information available. Meetings have been held, discussions have taken place, and now they have decided to make a step more public. However, in response to your question, let me state clearly that this movement is currently under threat from two currents. One is a fanatical current that does not have this realism. The realism that Mr. Wafi and Mr. Zayeri held the meeting and those who are following the discussion, those who ensured the security of such sessions, and were ordered to do so. That fanatical section that cannot tolerate this and does not have this realism, its murmurs have begun, and some clerics have reacted that no, this is not correct. The second current that analyzes the success of this story, assuming we say this project has started, is the opposition to mandatory hijab, particularly from abroad, and those who take this matter to the point where they say the regime has surrendered, they have admitted defeat, and they have failed... This rhetoric does not help in correcting this situation. It can even be speculated that part of the regime may be driven towards obstinacy. They may try to prevent even the small steps being taken. I think if there is even a slight chance that this is the beginning of the project to remove mandatory hijab, it should be seized and supported, especially to create a healthier discourse around this issue as much as anyone can. ***Interview with Elham Heydari Ms. Heydari, what led Ms. Farnaz Panahizadeh, the director of international affairs of the Iranian Wrestling Federation, to be selected as the first woman and the first Iranian member of the Women and Sports Commission of the International Wrestling Federation? Elham Heydari: I think now everyone should know that the events that have occurred in the Wrestling Federation date back to the year when wrestling was removed from the Olympics. Therefore, one of the reasons was the weak presence of women. Then, the World Wrestling Federation, with a change in high-level management, began to implement changes and tried to have programs, including a campaign called 'Super Eight' aimed at developing or increasing women's presence in wrestling. These events have taken place outside Iran and have influenced the inside. Iran has also moved with this wave, and the change is indeed significant. Because it is a specific sport that is one of the few sports in which women have not participated, and it is a difficult task, and in my opinion, Mr. Khaedem's management is commendable. Do you think these events are an effort to attract the attention of the International Wrestling Federation to Iran, or do Iranian women genuinely participate in wrestling? I admit that if it weren't for the pressure from the global community or the International Olympic Committee on the World Wrestling Federation, and the pressure from the World Wrestling Federation on the national federations of other countries, perhaps no one would have cared about women's participation. But I think Iran has started the change and has accepted it. Because for ten years, Iranian wrestling has been deprived of hosting world competitions. For this reason, they had to enter the field. But I think this is not a show. I believe there is a belief there, and they are allowing women to participate, and although this participation benefits men's sports in Iran. Given the role that Mr. Khaedem, the head of the Wrestling Federation, plays in this matter, do you think this door that now seems to be open for women will be closed with a change in the management of the Wrestling Federation? I say this is not a show because it requires intelligence and wisdom to somehow initiate a sport that has not existed for women with all the obstacles there. In the name of wrestling and belts. I believe that not every manager could do this. Perhaps if Mr. Khaedem were to step down, I suspect the next manager might not want to pursue such a course at all. But in any case, the initiation and courage to begin such a change was good and, in my opinion, commendable. I feel that this is more than a show.