Cultural freedom and women's rights in Iran's ongoing hijab debate
Shahed University Quran and Hadith science assistant professor, Dr Ali Hassania - PIX by NURUL ATIKAH SARJI
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KUALA LUMPUR – Iran has found itself at the epicentre of a dynamic debate surrounding the Islamic veil – more popularly known as the hijab and also fundamental women’s rights.
Shahed University Quran and Hadith science assistant professor, Dr Ali Hassania in his talk entitled ‘Personal freedom and the dress code in Iran’ said that this debate has given birth to an emerging movement known as Islamic feminism.
He elaborated that Islamic feminism aims to strike a delicate balance between religious observance and gender equality while shedding light on the complex social status of women in Islamic societies.
“The evolution of women's clothing in Iran since the tumultuous 1979 Islamic Revolution has been a fascinating reflection of the changing political and social landscape.
“Initially, the hijab was a matter of personal choice, allowing individuals to decide whether to don the veil or not. However, subsequent developments, driven by political and cultural factors, transformed it into a mandatory garment in various sectors, sparking profound tensions between proponents and opponents,” Ali said at the 10th International Islam and Liberty Conference (ILN) at the Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Iran's Islamic Revolution, which culminated in the toppling of the monarchy and the establishment of an Islamic republic, set the stage for a seismic shift in the country's social fabric.
“The hijab, once a personal choice, soon became a symbol of religious and political identity.
In the early years following the revolution, women were granted the freedom to decide whether to wear the hijab, reflecting a sense of personal agency and choice,” he said
However, as the years passed, the changes in political leadership and a growing influence of conservative factions within Iranian society led to the gradual imposition of mandatory hijab.
He elaborated that the shift drew lines in the sand, with some supporting it as a religious duty while others saw it as a violation of personal freedom and a symbol of oppression.
“The majority of Iranians eventually conformed to the mandatory hijab, influenced by cultural norms, familial expectations, and the fear of potential repercussions for non-compliance.
“These protests underscored the ongoing tension between personal freedom and cultural expectations, emphasising the importance of women's social status in Iranian society,” he remarked.
The ILN conference which started today and will go on until tomorrow ( Wednesday) aims to give a thorough understanding of religious, political, economic, peace and prosperity in Muslim-majority countries.
The two-day conference was organised by the Islam and Liberty Network Foundation with the support of the Atlas Network, the Network for a Free Society, and Amanie Advisors in collaboration with the Emir Research and Institute for Leadership and Development Studies. (LEAD).
