Confusion over Iran’s Morality Police as Women Drop Hijab

Confusion over Iran’s Morality Police as Women Drop Hijab

Confusion over the standing¹ of Iran's morality police continues after state media gave different reports over the weekend. But more Iranian women have appeared in public without the required head covering hijab as enforcement of the policy has been reduced.

The morality police were established in 2005. The group oversees² the enforcement of Iran's restrictions³ on behavior and clothing in public. Women are required to wear the hijab and loose-fitting clothes.

The decreased enforcement might be a sign that Iran's leadership is thinking about making changes to reduce anti-government protests. The protests began after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September. She died while being held by the morality police for violating the country's Islamic dress rules.

A group called Human Rights Activists⁴ in Iran has been following protests around the country. It said the government's actions have resulted in 471 deaths during the protests. And more than 18,200 people have been arrested.

On Saturday, Iran's semi-official news agency ISNA reported that the government's chief lawyer said the morality police "had been closed." The official, Mohamed Jafar Montazeri, told the news agency that the government was also reviewing the hijab law without giving details.

But late Sunday, state media Al-Alam issued a report suggesting Montazeri's comments had been misunderstood. It said that no official has confirmed the closing of the morality police.

The conservative SNN.ir news website also said the morality police were not closed. But it added that the way the police do their job might change. The news site is close to the Basij, a security force under the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which protects Iran's religious leaders.

Officials have avoided comment on the police. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian gave no direct answer when reporters in Belgrade asked him about Montazeri's statement.

In recent weeks, fewer morality police officers have been seen in Iranian cities. In the capital of Tehran, more women have been walking the city's streets without wearing the hijab. At times, some even walk past anti-riot police and Basiji forces.

Ali Alfoneh is an expert at the Arab Gulf⁵ States Institute in Washington. He said, ''For the time being, rather than changing the hijab law, the Islamic Republic will most likely not enforce the law, in order to reduce tension with society."

Words in This Story

confusion -n. lack of clearness or understanding about what the true situation is

loose -adj. not tight; not tightly connected

review -v. to examine or consider again

tension -n. worry and fear of conflict between people

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 oversees   

v.监督，监视( oversee的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She oversees both the research and the manufacturing departments. 她既监督研究部门又监督生产部门。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Department of Education oversees the federal programs dealing with education. 教育部监管处理教育的联邦程序。 来自互联网

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。