The Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism discussed the inefficacy of the Islamic Republic's policies and the pressure on people due to restrictions, stating that when we cannot provide proper "restroom facilities," people say that your other claims are just as hollow. According to ILNA news agency on Sunday, July 9, Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, identified one of the main problems in the tourism sector as the "inadequate roadside restroom facilities." The Minister emphasized that "we must mobilize and prepare the current restroom facilities" because "the situation is terrible," and Mohammad Mokhber, the First Vice President, has also given a "completely positive opinion," as "for now, restrooms are the top priority for the people." He described "hijab and chastity" as "achievements of the Revolution and the system" and "part of the values and advantages" of the Islamic Republic, stating that these issues should proceed "according to the law." Referring to the restrictions imposed on people regarding "concerts" and "hijab," he added: "This means that people say, 'Sir, if you cannot fix the restroom facilities, your other claims are just like this.'" Zarghami mentioned that when people "see that there are no suitable restroom facilities for them," stating that "we inaugurated a dam" and "opened large projects" is useless, as people say, for now, "just fix these restroom facilities on the way." Islamic Republic officials are closing shops, cafes, gyms, and tourism centers in various cities of Iran in response to non-compliance with "Islamic decorum," including mandatory hijab. The arrival of summer has intensified the struggle between the people and the Islamic Republic over hijab, and with the onset of nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, this tension has increased further. Some experts consider mandatory hijab akin to the "Berlin Wall," which the Islamic Republic prevents from collapsing for its survival. Tonya Valizadeh, a women's rights activist, previously told Voice of America that mandatory hijab means depriving half of society of all its civil rights.
Zarghami's Reaction to the Closure of Tourism Centers Over Mandatory Hijab: Restrooms Are a Priority
Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, criticized the government's focus on enforcing mandatory hijab while neglecting basic public services like restrooms. This statement reflects growing public dissatisfaction with government policies amid ongoing protests over women's rights and personal freedoms. The issue highlights the disconnect between government priorities and citizens' needs.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ezzatollah Zarghami criticized the Iranian government's focus on enforcing mandatory hijab while neglecting basic public services like restroom facilities. This statement underscores growing public dissatisfaction and highlights the disconnect between government priorities and citizens' needs.
- Zarghami emphasized the need for better restroom facilities, calling it a top priority for the public.
- The Iranian government is closing various establishments in response to non-compliance with hijab laws.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The enforcement of mandatory hijab laws has been a contentious issue in Iran, leading to widespread protests and calls for greater personal freedoms. The government's focus on such laws has been criticized as a distraction from pressing social issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%