Hijab hypocrisy: Iran, Mahsa Amini and the double standards of Islamic countries

SHARE:

On 18 February this year, a group of Iranian students demonstrated in front of the Indian embassy in Tehran to demand that girls should be allowed to wear the hijab in Karnataka colleges despite the prohibitions of prescribed uniforms. These protesting students claimed, according to one news report, that the hijab restrictions were discriminatory against Muslims. More significantly, they asserted that these restrictions were, as per the news story, “a violation of the basic human right to freedom of clothing”. It is believed that the demonstration was ‘state sponsored’. The Karnataka hijab case has been heard by the Indian Supreme Court and its judgement is reserved. The Karnataka hijab issue relates to the internal affairs of India and, in terms of international law, the government and people of Iran have no right to intervene in this controversy.

Over the past week Iran has witnessed large-scale protests in several cities in which 41 people are reported to have lost their lives. These anti-establishment demonstrations were triggered because of the death on 16 September of a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, while she was in the custody of the country’s morality police. The Amini episode reveals the hypocrisy of the Iranian state. Why? Because it demands that other countries should respect the “basic human right to freedom of clothing” while denying this very right to its own women.

The wearing of the hijab by women is a social custom in many Muslim countries. It was so also in Iran but Shah Mohammad Reza Pehlavi who ruled Iran from 1941 till he was overthrown in the Ayatollah-led Islamic Revolution in 1979, allowed, indeed, encouraged, women not to wear the hijab. His queens and other ladies of the royal household as well as those belonging to the Iranian aristocracy and the professional middle classes did not wear the hijab. At the same time the women of the conservative sections of society did not give up the ‘chador’ , the traditional hijab of Iran.

***

Also Read

Mahsa Amini death: US imposes sanctions on Iran’s morality police

In Iran, rare criticism of ‘morality police’ after Mahsa Amini’s death

‘You killed her for two strands of hair’: Mahsa Amini’s father stops mullah from performing her last rites

***

Iran’s Islamic revolution did away with any notion of freedom of dress for Iranian women. The zealots of the Revolution demanded that all women in Iran, including foreigners, should dress in keeping with Islamic practices. While Iranian women were mandated to cover themselves with the ‘chador’, it was compulsory for foreign women, including visiting women dignitaries, to cover themselves completely with a coat and their heads with scarves. At the same time the Iranians insisted that foreign women, including leaders, should not touch any males; hence, diplomats always advised visiting lady leaders of their countries never to extend their hands to Iranian male leaders! The Iranians insisted on all this in the name of Islamic practice. In fact, Iranian leaders even when they are abroad do not shake hands with women.

To ensure that Iranian women wore the proper Islamic dress the institution of the morality police was put in place. It was given wide powers to ensure that women were kept in line in public in matters of dress and in their general deportment. The conduct of the morality police is aggressive and many Iranians who are proud of their cultural heritage find them offensive.

Mahsa Amini belonged to Kurdistan and was visiting Tehran when she was picked up on 13 September by the morality police for, it is alleged, not wearing the hijab properly because her hair was partially exposed. She was in custody for three days and died, the police claimed, because of a sudden health issue while she and others were receiving ‘guidance’. Mahsa Amini’s family and the people at large refused to believe the police version. Hence, the violent demonstrations across many cities. In these protests some women threw away their hijab. The police used force to curb the protests.

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi who was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on 20 September came under great pressure because the Mahsa Amini case put Iran, once again, in the spotlight as a violator of internationally accepted human rights. He responded to criticism by giving an assurance that the incident would be investigated. The same assurance was given by other authorities in Iran to control the protests. While many liberal Iranian clerics spoke against the morality police’s highhandedness, significantly, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has not commented on the incident. At the same time the Revolutionary Guards, the traditional guardians of the Islamic Revolution, have warned the protestors of stern action to control the situation.

The question is if the protests sparked off by Mahsa Amini’s death will have any systemic change regarding the dress codes relating to Iranian women. This is improbable for these codes are intrinsic to the very notion of what is proper Islamic conduct and that the inheritors of the Khomeini revolution are pledged to uphold. There has always been a tussle in Iran between, what is best described by the Hindi word, “rasik” cultural mores of Persian civilisation and the norms of austere Islam. The Khomeini revolution with its roots in the Vilayat-e-Faqih system of governance had to curb the “rasik” urges of Persian culture. This also required the pursuit of stern policies on gender issues. Sometimes, concessions became necessary as they did when women had to be allowed to go to stadiums to see sports and games although in separate stands. But these measures are extended most reluctantly. Certainly, no concessions should be expected in matters of dress though new practices may be prescribed for the morality police to assuage public outrage and to assure the people against a repeat of the Mahsa Amini case.

It is also noteworthy that Iran is not being criticised by any Islamic country for the Amini incident. Indeed, Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari when asked about it expressed full confidence in the assurances of the Iranian authorities to fairly investigate the cause of Amini’s death. And, Iran would not be bothered by Western criticism at all. Meanwhile, it will continue to practice its hypocrisy by seeking freedom of dress for women in countries like India — obviously meaning that those who wish to wear the hijab should be allowed to do so in any situation — while denying the freedom of not wearing the hijab to its own women.

What is more hypocritical is that its leaders seek to impose Iranian dress and behaviour codes on women even when they are outside Iran. This was recently witnessed in New York when Raisi refused to be interviewed by an internationally known woman journalist because she was unwilling to cover her hair and perhaps dress in a manner he considered appropriate.

The writer is a former Indian diplomat who served as India’s Ambassador to Afghanistan and Myanmar, and as secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs. Views expressed are personal.

Read all the Latest News, Trending NewsCricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Also Read

[TRENDING]_$type=ticker$count=9$cols=4$cate=0$color=#0096a9$sp=3500

[RECENT]_$type=list$author=hide$comment=hide$va=0

Name

'Badhaai Do' movie,1,'The Kerala Story',2,'Zeeshan Maggie Point',1,"kerala story",1,@preganest,1,100W SuperVOOC Charging,1,90s actress,1,Access to Diabetes Care,1,accident,2,Actor Salman Khan,1,Actress Priyanka Chopra,1,Air India,1,Air Quality,1,Alia Bhatt,1,All-Round Performance,1,Amazon,1,Anushka Sharma,1,App-Based Taxis,1,Arjun Tendulkar,1,Arshia Goswami,1,Article,4,Atlee Kumar,1,back pain,1,Bageshwar Dham,1,bank holiday schedule,1,bank offers,1,Barbed wire,1,BH registration,1,BH-Series,1,Bhopal,3,Bhupesh Baghel,1,Bike Rider Agastya Chauhan,1,birthday,2,BJP,2,Bobby Deol,1,bodyguard missbehave,1,BOE screen.,1,Bollywood,2,Bollywood Actor,1,Bollywood Couple,1,Bollywood Diwali,1,Bollywood Journey,1,Bollywood Stars,1,borrowing,1,Box Office Collection,1,Boxing Champion Mary Kom,1,bribery allegations,1,budget.,1,Bundelkhand,1,Business,24,camera setup,1,Career,1,Career Growth,1,Career Setbacks,1,Cash for Query Case,1,Celebrity Celebrations,1,Celebrity Diwali,1,Chhatarpur,1,Chhattisgarh Election,1,Chinese Stocks,1,CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan,6,codecanyon,3,Comedian,1,Congress,2,Congress MLA Omkar Singh Markam,1,Controversial Movie,1,converting to Islam,1,Counterclaims,1,couples goal,1,creativity,1,Cricket,1,Crime news,1,Deadlifts 60 kg,1,Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Kendras,1,Deepika Padukone,1,Defamatory Posters,1,defense personnel,1,Delhi airport,1,Delhi Fire Service,1,Delhi metro,1,Delhi Police,1,Delhi Pollution,2,Development Scheme,1,Devotees,1,Dhanteras,1,Dhanteras 2023,1,Dharmendra,1,Dhirendra Shastri,2,Diabetes Awareness,1,Diabetes Epidemic,1,Diabetes Prevention,1,Diamond jewelry,1,Diesel Vehicles,1,Disastrous Plastic Surgeries,1,discounts,1,District hospitals,1,Diwali 2023,4,Diwali a National Holiday,1,Diwali Announcement,1,Diwali bank holidays,1,Diwali Celebration,1,Diwali deal,1,Diwali Gift,1,Diwali Moments,1,Diwali offers,1,Donatella Versace,1,DPR,4,Dubai woman,1,early signs,1,Earnings Growth,1,Education / Employment,3,Eid Party,1,Eight-Year-Old,1,Election Commission,1,Election Promises,1,election year,1,Elections 2024,2,Enchanting Moments,1,Entertainment,21,Environment,1,Environmental Measures,1,Family Celebration,1,Fan Frenzy,1,Fan Reactions,1,Fan Reactions.,1,Fashion,1,Female Engineer Uber Driver,1,Festive deals,1,Film 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan',1,Filmfare Awards 2023,1,Filmy Proposal,1,Financial Benefits,1,financial transactions,1,Fire Incidents,1,Firecrackers,1,Fireworks,1,first water metro,1,fiscal deficit,1,Food,2,free earbuds,1,free food grain scheme,1,Gajakesari Rajyoga,1,Gemini,1,Global Health,1,Global Market Outlook.,1,Gold savings,1,Goldman Sachs,1,Government,1,government employees,1,Government spending,1,Govinda,1,Griha Lakshmi Yojana,1,Hakuto-R,1,health sector,1,Healthcare Awareness.,1,Hero,1,Hindu Heritage.,1,Historic Revival,1,Hong Kong,1,iconic career.,1,IIFA 2023,1,IIT Indore,1,Inauguration,1,India,4,India news,4879,Indian festivals,1,Indian Muslim,1,Indian news,8,Indian road tax,1,Indian Shares,1,Indore,3,Indore court,1,instragram,1,Insulin Discovery,1,Investment Opportunities,1,IPL,1,IPL 2023,2,IT,1,Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra,1,Jammu and Kashmir,1,Jewelry discounts,1,Jiah Khan,1,Job,1,Kamal Nath,1,Kanya Vivah-Nikah Yojana,1,Karan Kundra,1,Kareena Kapoor,1,Katrina Kaif,1,Kiara Advani,1,Kidney failure,1,kidney health,1,kidney issues,1,kidney symptoms,1,KL Rahul.,1,Kochi,1,Krishna Priya,1,Kupwara,1,Latest news,1,leaked design,1,legal inquiry,1,Life Changing tips,1,Lifestyle,12,Lifstyle,1,Lok Sabha Ethics Committee,1,loss of cat,1,Love Jihad,1,Love Story,1,Lucknow,1,Lucky Zodiac Signs,1,Maa Kali',1,Madhya Pradesh,23,Mahakal lok,1,Mahakaleshwar temple,1,Mahtari Vandan Yojana,1,Mahua Moitra,1,main,19,Make in India,1,Man naked and garlanded with shoes,1,Mantralya,1,Market Trends,1,Mata Sharda Temple,1,Material Happiness,1,medical attention.,1,Men wearing skirt,1,Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023,1,Mexican Giant Turtle,1,Mir,1,MIT,1,mobile phone,1,modular kitchens,1,Moon,1,Movie Premiere,1,MP Election 2023,1,MP Weather Update,2,multi-state travel,1,Mumbai,2,Munawwar Farooqui,1,National,162,National Paper Airplane Day 2023,1,national security,1,Navlakha,1,Neelam Kothari,1,Netherlands,1,News,1,Nick Jonas,1,Northeastern University,1,Nothing Phone (1),1,ODI Wicket,1,Ola,1,One Nation One Number Plate,1,OnePlus 11 5G,1,opposition members,1,Osho,1,Paramilitary Forces,1,Parenthood,1,Pennsylvania,1,Personal Life Controversies,1,pet parrots,1,plants mango saplings,1,PM Narendra Modi,3,politics,4,Pollution Crisis,1,Pradeep Mishra,1,pricing,1,private companies,1,Priyanka Chopra,1,Profession,1,Prosperity,1,PTI – The Siasat Daily,3,Rachit Agarwal,1,Ranbir Kapoor,1,Rashid rover,1,Realme GT 5 Pro,1,Realme Narzo N53,1,record-breaking century,1,regional variations,1,relationships,1,Religious Significance,1,renewable energy sector,1,Reserve Bank of India,1,Revival Efforts,1,rib pain,1,Romantic Photos,1,Royal deaths,1,Rs 70 lakh,1,Russia Ukraine ongoing conflict,1,Sadar Bazaar,1,Safety Measures.,1,Sagar,1,Sagittarius,1,salman khan,3,Sanatan Dharma,1,Sara Tendulkar,1,Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Park,1,Shah Rukh Khan,1,Shah Rukh Khan's Airport Video goes viral,1,Shalini's Unconventional Divorce Photoshoot,1,Shubam Gill,1,Shubham Gill,1,Sidharth Malhotra.,1,Sir Frederick Banting,1,Six-month-old Infant Dies,1,smartphone,2,Snapdragon processor,1,Snapdragon processor.,1,Social Dynamics,1,social media,2,Social Media Reactions,1,Sooraj Pancholi,1,South Actresses,1,South Africa,1,South Indian Cinema,1,South Indian Comedian,1,specifications,2,Spending husband's money,1,Sports,17,stomach pain,1,storage options,1,Structural Growth,1,subsidies,1,Summer Season,1,Supreme Court,1,Sushant Singh Rajput,1,T20 World Cup,1,Tarek Fatah,1,Taurus,1,tax collection,1,Tech,5,Tejasswi Prakash,1,Temples,1,Tensions,1,Theater Chaos,1,Tiger 3,1,Tilak Nagar,1,Top jewelers.,1,Transport Department,1,Trending,3,Trinamool Congress,1,tweet,1,Uber,1,Ujjain,1,Ukraine Defence Ministry,1,University of Glasgow,1,urban housing,1,US-Canada Border,1,US-India Visa,1,vehicle registration.,1,Vicky Kaushal,1,video viral,2,Viral news,1,Viral Sexy Video,1,viral video,4,Virat Kohli,1,Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir,2,Water crisis,1,Wedding Anniversary,1,WiFi,1,Wildlife,1,Wired Food Combinations,1,Women Empowerment,1,World Diabetes Day,1,World News,2194,youth,1,youtuber,1,
ltr
item
Hijab hypocrisy: Iran, Mahsa Amini and the double standards of Islamic countries
Hijab hypocrisy: Iran, Mahsa Amini and the double standards of Islamic countries
ASE News
https://www.asenews.page/2022/09/hijab-hypocrisy-iran-mahsa-amini-and.html
https://www.asenews.page/
https://www.asenews.page/
https://www.asenews.page/2022/09/hijab-hypocrisy-iran-mahsa-amini-and.html
true
8343353446356446311
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Readmore Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share to a social network STEP 2: Click the link on your social network Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy Table of Content