Controversy Over Foreign Women's Hijab in Bam!

Following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Bam, a number of female rescuers and foreign journalists have arrived in Iran to assist the victims and cover the news. However, reports indicate that there have been issues regarding the hijab of these women. The Iranian Women's website states: 'The hijab of both domestic and foreign female journalists, as well as women from foreign aid groups, has become a matter of concern in Bam. Iranian and foreign journalists utilizing the facilities of the Quds Base, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, have faced repeated warnings from Basij and Revolutionary Guards forces regarding their hijab compliance. Clerics conducting religious ceremonies for the burial of earthquake victims in Bam have repeatedly reminded female journalists to cover their hair. It is noteworthy that women who entered Bam with foreign aid groups often do not wear headscarves and usually only cover their hair with safety helmets.' Meanwhile, the news website Baztab reacted to this report by publishing an article titled 'Foreign Women in Bam: A Subject of Psychological Warfare,' claiming through its correspondent in Bam that 'the attire and conduct of foreign female rescuers in Bam has been appropriate, and so far, no issues have been observed that would require a warning. The foreign female rescuers stationed in Bam are in uniform and helmets, and in terms of attire, they are in a much better situation than some women in the streets of Tehran.' It is worth mentioning that photographs sent by Hassan Sarbakhshian, a photographer from the Associated Press in Bam, support the report from the Iranian Women's website.