Hijab in Iran

After the 1979 Iranian revolution , the hijab became the mandatory dress code for all Iranian women by the order of Ayatollah Khomeini , the supreme leader of the new Islamic Republic . Hijab was seen as a symbol of piety, dignity, and identity for Muslim women. The Safavid dynasty centralized Iran and declared Shia Islam as the official religion, which led to the widespread adoption of hijab by women in the country. Free women continued to wear hijab as a prevalent fashion trend during the Qajar era , with increased inspiration from European fashions and materials. In parallel, slave women did show themselves in public unveiled, but were in contrast not viewed as respectable women. The Pahlavi era (1925-1979) was marked by significant changes in the hijab and women's dress in Iran, reflecting the influence of Westernization, modernization, and political movements. The first Pahlavi era, under Reza Shah (1925-1941), was characterized by the forced unveiling of women, known as Kashf-e hijab , as part of the regime's attempt to secularize and modernize the country. Women who resisted the ban on hijab faced harassment, violence, and imprisonment. The second Pahlavi era, under Mohammad Reza Shah (1941-1979), was more tolerant of women’s choice of clothing, but also encouraged Western styles and fabrics, especially among the urban elite. Women wore a variety of dresses, skirts, pants, suits, and coats, often made of silk, velvet, or brocade. They also wore hijab in different forms, such as scarves, hats, or veils, depending on their personal, religious, or political preferences. Following the 1979 revolution, the hijab became a compulsory dress code for women by the new regime. Restrictions sparked several movements by activists and ordinary citizens who challenged the mandatory hijab, seeking more freedom and rights for women. In response, the government cracked down on protests with violence, notably during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022-2023). In September 2024, on the second anniversary of the death of Amini , Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian said that morality police will no longer "bother" women over the wearing of the hijab. "Explained: Why the hijab is crucial to Iran's Islamic rulers" . euronews . 2023-07-18 . Sexual Politics in Modern Iran . Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry . 12 (8). "A historical study of the trend of changing the dress and hijab of women in Iranian society during the transition from the Pahlavi period to the Islamic Republic" . "Iran's morality police will not 'bother' women, president says" . 16 September 2024.