Iran’s morality police have returned to the streets in a new campaign aimed at enforcing the Islamic dress code for women. The announcement comes 10 months after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests in Iran.
Following Amini's death, the morality police had largely withdrawn from public view as authorities struggled to contain the massive protests demanding political change. However, despite a heavy crackdown that reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 500 protesters and the detention of nearly 20,000 people, including women, many women in Iran continued to defy the official dress code, particularly in cities like Tehran.
Authorities had previously denied any changes to the dress code regulations, emphasizing the importance of the hijab as a symbol of the Islamic revolution. The hijab is considered a fundamental aspect of the Iranian clerical rulers' ideology and a rejection of Western influences.
General Saeed Montazerolmahdi, a police spokesperson, announced on July 16 that the morality police would resume their efforts to enforce the dress code, which includes notifying and detaining women not wearing the hijab in public. In Tehran, marked vans with male and female morality police officers were observed patrolling the streets.
The recent arrest of Mohammed Sadeghi, a relatively unknown actor, further highlights the government's determination to suppress dissent. Sadeghi was taken into custody after broadcasting a raid on his home, and authorities accused him of inciting violence against the police.
The issue of women's dress in Iran has become a powerful symbol of resistance against the ruling clerics. Last fall, women played a leading role in nationwide protests, demanding political change and denouncing the clerical rulers as corrupt and repressive. The government, however, has consistently blamed the protests on foreign interference, without providing evidence to support their claims.
Numerous Iranian celebrities, including directors and actors, participated in the protests, with some actresses being detained for appearing in public without the hijab or expressing support for the demonstrations. In one recent case, actress Azadeh Samadi was banned from social media and ordered by a court to undergo psychological treatment for what was described as "antisocial personality disorder" after wearing a cap at a funeral.
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