Imams' Statements on the Anniversary of the Hijab Discovery; Alimohammadi: Launching a Hijab Women's Disco in Turkey

The Imam of Mashhad criticized what he described as "the efforts of certain groups to normalize unveiling," claiming that a "hijab women's disco" has been established in Turkey and that some individuals in Iran are pursuing such ideas. According to Ahmad Alimohammadi's website, he stated in his sermon on January 4 that "photos of unveiled Palestinian women and girls are being circulated to undermine the value of hijab." He added: "Another conspiracy that has started in Turkey, and unfortunately is spreading to our country, is that women in chadors are being portrayed as centers of immorality, corruption, and prostitution." Alimohammadi claimed: "In Turkey, they have formed a hijab women's disco where they can go and dance with hijab... some people inside are pursuing these ideas." The Imam of Mashhad did not provide further details about the alleged establishment of a "hijab women's disco" in Turkey. In 2013, several websites in Iran claimed that a "hijab women's disco" had opened in Istanbul, featuring a hijab-wearing Malaysian singer named Yuna Zarai. Alimohammadi made these remarks on the occasion of the 83rd anniversary of the order for unveiling issued by Reza Shah. Last January, Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi referred to Reza Shah's decree as a "revolutionary movement," which, according to her, told women, "Be free and remove your chador." This month, a public protest against mandatory hijab occurred on Enghelab Street in Tehran by a woman reportedly named Vida Mohadd, and after repeating this act, several protesters known as the "Daughters of Enghelab Street" were sentenced to two years in prison for opposing mandatory hijab. Other imams from different cities in Iran also referred to the unveiling order, labeling protests against mandatory hijab as "opposition to the essence of Islam." Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali Mousavi Jazayeri, the Imam of Ahvaz, described one of the programs of what he called "imperialism and colonialists" in Islamic countries as "feminism and the struggle against hijab." Ghorbanali Dary Najaf Abadi, the Imam of Arak, stated that "unveiling and improper hijab are among the methods that enemies promote to corrupt society." Mohammad Mahdi Hosseini, the Imam of Karaj, also said: "Today, some people, in the name of freedom, engage in laxity to harm women; they want to distract women with issues like concerts, attending stadiums, etc." Hassan Bonyanian, the head of the Cultural Commission of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, also stated in a speech before the Tehran sermons that "50% of women's improper hijab in society is the fault of men, but women do not have the permission to neglect their share due to this negligence." Bonyanian did not provide further details about his remarks. These statements from the imams come at a time when official surveys and comments from some Islamic Republic officials indicate a growing disinterest in hijab and an increasing opposition to mandatory hijab. Previously, the Research Center of the Iranian Parliament reported that the number of individuals believing in mandatory hijab among educated people, youth, and those with access to media and cultural products and higher income is lower. According to these statistics, about 35% of the population considers hijab "valuable," which has decreased by 50% compared to the early years of the 1979 revolution. Hijab became mandatory in Iran shortly after the revolution. However, some Shia clerics oppose the mandatory hijab, while others believe that hijab is a rule that can be changed. For instance, Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq Fayyaz, one of the four famous sources of emulation in Najaf, stated in 2016 during a meeting with the head of Iran's judiciary that "using force and coercion to promote hijab is ineffective." Hassan Youssefi Ashkouri, a Shia cleric, said in 2000 on the sidelines of the Berlin Conference that social rulings of Islam, including hijab, are changeable. He was accused of apostasy in a primary court due to this statement and sentenced to death, which was eventually revoked, and Ashkouri was stripped of his clerical status and imprisoned for five years. In this regard, 12 religious reformers issued a statement last February denying mandatory hijab, emphasizing that the policies of the Islamic Republic in this area have resulted in nothing but "excessive financial costs, religious and spiritual discredit, political ineffectiveness, and social resource wastage."