Iran's Morality Police Resumes Enforcing Mandatory Wearing of the Hijab

Authorities in Iran are making renewed efforts to enforce the country's mandatory hijab laws, and have resumed patrols by the designated morality police.

The spokesman for Iran's police force, Saeid Montazeralmahdi, said on Sunday that foot and vehicle patrols will be conducted to crack down on anyone whose clothing choices did not comply with Islamic Republic standards.

Those who "unfortunately insist on their norm-breaking behaviour without concern for the consequences of their covering that is outside the norm" would be "issued warnings and then introduced to the judicial system," he was reported as saying by state media.

Montazeralmahdi stated that officers would be able to focus on "other vital police missions" if everyone followed the dress code.

The officers are responsible for issuing warnings to women (and occasionally men) about their attire. It might be anything from telling ladies to readjust their headscarves to insisting they change into something more loose and modest.

Women found in violation of the restrictions could be detained and sent to police-run "re-education" centres.

Recall that 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested for an alleged dress code violation and died while in police custody 10 months ago. Protests erupted in cities across Iran after she passed away, and they continued for months, during which time morality police were predominantly absent from the streets.

Authorities in Iran have toned down their enforcement of mandatory hijab rules since they were first enacted during the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the wake of widespread protests. It seems that perspective is changing.

Police have been using surveillance cameras for several months to detect hijab violators, who are then issued warnings, penalties, or summoned to court for further action. Those who are caught breaking the dress code while driving may have their automobiles seized.

Many places of business, including eateries and even large shopping malls, have been threatened with closure for serving women who do not wear their hijabs properly.

This week saw a spate of high-profile events involving the hijab.

Officials shared a clip showing what looked to be a police squad, followed by a film crew, advising ladies of all ages to readjust their hijabs. After a video suggesting the women have been identified and referred to the judicial system, the camera zeroes in on their faces.

A man whose voice has been digitally altered tells a young woman, "Either you fix your hijab or you enter the van. If you believe in freedom, I will leave all the thieves and rapists free to let you know how things work”.

On Sunday, actor Mohamad Sadeghi was taken into custody. The day before, he posted an internet video in which he responded to a different video showing a female police officer physically restraining a woman because of her headscarf.

“If I see a scene like this in person I might commit murder. Watch out, you better believe the people will kill you,” he had said, prompting his arrest for “threatening the police” for doing its job, according to state media.

Actress Azadeh Samadi, who attended the burial of a theatrical director in May without a headscarf, was found guilty of having an "anti-social personality sickness" and sentenced this week to a six-month ban on accessing social media and her mobile phone, in addition to mandatory rehabilitation.

Samadi became the latest actress to be sentenced or summoned in recent months for ditching the veil in public or online.

Meanwhile, the administration and parliament have been working on a law to strengthen hijab rules; nevertheless, conservative opponents have voiced concerns that the bill is too lax.