Iranian Police to Use "Smart Systems" to Enforce Hijab Law Amid Growing Outcry

(MENAFN) The Iranian Police have announced plans to use "smart systems" to prevent the violation of the country's hijab law, which mandates the covering of body and hair for women in public places. The move comes amid a growing outcry from the country's powerful clergy over the relaxation of mandatory veil rules in recent months. Smart cameras will be installed in public places and thoroughfares to identify those who violate the hijab norms, and violators will receive messages on their phones warning of "legal consequences" if the action is repeated.

The police statement emphasized that the authorities will "not tolerate any kind of individual or collective behavior and action in violation of the (hijab) law." The announcement reflects the Iranian government's efforts to enforce the hijab law and maintain social order amid increasing tensions and protests over the issue.

The controversy surrounding the hijab law was reignited after the death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, while in police custody for violating the mandatory hijab norms in September last year. Her death triggered countrywide protests that gradually turned violent, killing hundreds of people, both civilians and policemen, and triggering months-long unrest. Western countries subsequently imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and entities, accusing them of repression against protesters. Iranian officials, in turn, blamed the US and its European allies for "instigating rioters."

In December, Iran's attorney general said that the morality police had been "put to a standstill," fueling speculations that the controversy-ridden police may be disbanded amid protests. Although state media later dismissed the speculations, the absence of the morality police on the streets and growing numbers of uncovered women suggested that the authorities had relaxed the mandatory hijab rules.

The Iranian government has been under pressure from both conservative and reformist factions over the hijab issue. The law, which came into force after the 1979 Iranian revolution, has been a contentious issue in the country, with some advocating for its abolition, while others argue that it is a religious and legal obligation. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has defended the hijab law, calling it a "religious and legal restriction" and blaming the non-observance of the hijab on incitement by "enemy's spy agencies." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also recently defended the hijab law, calling it a "legal matter."

The Iranian government's decision to use "smart systems" to enforce the hijab law highlights the ongoing debate over the issue and the government's efforts to maintain social order and preserve the country's religious and cultural traditions. However, the move is likely to face opposition from human rights groups and civil society organizations, who argue that the mandatory hijab law violates women's rights and freedoms. The issue remains a sensitive and contentious topic in Iran, and the government's response to the growing outcry over the hijab law is likely to have significant political and social implications.

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