Embassy takeover and hostage crisis later that year. Images of armed women encompassed in black cloth became a familiar sight for Americans during the U.S. Still, many middle and upper-class Iranian women chose not to wear the hijab.īy the 1979 Islamic Revolution, some of the women who helped overthrow the shah embraced the chador, a cloak that covers the body from head to toe, except for the face. The ban ended five years later when his son, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, took over. Iran's ruler Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1936 banned the hijab as part of his efforts to mirror the West. In Iran, the hijab - and the all-encompassing black chador worn by some - has long been a political symbol as well. Today, it's routine in some areas of Tehran to see women without headscarves.įor observant Muslim women, the head covering is a sign of piety before God and modesty in front of men outside their families. Before protests erupted in September, it was rare to see women without headscarves, though some occasionally let their hijab fall to their shoulders. Iran and neighboring Taliban-controlled Afghanistan are the only countries where the hijab remains mandatory for women. “This is a message for the government, leave us alone,” she said. Vida, 29, said a decision by her and two of her friends to no longer cover their hair in public is about more than headscarves.
The women interviewed only provided their first names, for fear of repercussions. "If I go to a police station, will they shut it down too?” “Do they want to close down all businesses?" said Shervin, a 23-year-old student whose short, choppy hair swayed in the wind on a recent day in Tehran. Some suggested the growing numbers of women joining their ranks might make it harder for the authorities to push back. They say they are fighting for more freedom in Iran and a better future for their daughters.
Some women said they've had enough - no matter the consequence. The protests erupted at a difficult time for the Islamic Republic, currently struggling with economic woes brought on by its standoff with the West over its rapidly advancing nuclear program. However, analysts in Iran warn that the government could reignite dissent if it pushes too hard. Text messages have targeted drivers who had women without head covering in their vehicles. Police and volunteers issue verbal warnings in subways, airports and other public places. Authorities have made legal threats and closed down some businesses serving women not wearing the hijab.
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