In a move met with widespread criticism, Iranian authorities have announced the revival of the controversial “morality police” patrols aimed at enforcing strict dress codes and hijab laws for women in public spaces. The state media reports confirm the return of these patrols after a ten-month suspension, following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly violating the dress code in Tehran.
The resumption of these patrols has ignited fierce national protests, prompting public outrage over the perceived infringement on personal freedoms. Islamic hardliners, however, have persistently advocated for the reinstatement of these measures.
Based on Iran’s interpretation of Sharia law, women are obligated to cover their hair with a hijab and wear loose-fitting garments to conceal their figures. The morality police unit’s responsibility is to uphold these regulations and apprehend individuals deemed to be dressed “improperly.”
According to Saeed Montazerolmahdi, a police spokesman quoted by the hardline Tasnim news agency, during the patrols, officers will initially issue warnings to non-compliant women. If their orders are disregarded, legal action may be taken against them.