BlogHer - Crackdown in Iran: What women wear - Comments

dress code in Kabul & the rest of Afghanistan

jcravens — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:29:56 -0500

Thanks, Pari, for a terrific account of what's going on there. Great photos as well. Here in Kabul, I see almost as many women in a simple, loose headscarf and long jacket as I see women in burka. I've heard there are still self-appointed morality police out in the provinces though.

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Jayne Cravens
http://www.coyotecommunications.com

Thanks, Pari. I'm thankful

Angela Chen Shui — Sun, 06 May 2007 15:47:20 -0500

Thanks, Pari. I'm thankful of the insider view you're sharing here especially on what's happening with Iranian women.

Angela.

"Angela's Voice"
Spirituality Self Help

Pari, Thanks for the post.

CaseyDawes — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:38:25 -0500

Pari,
Thanks for the post. It's important to know what's going on in Iran. I fear that our government is trying to drum up "reasons" for an attack on Iran and it would be good on all levels, in all countries, for madness to calm down.

I wonder where it all ends...how do we get back to a place where traditions and beliefs are respected and not imposed. A place where a dialogue can occur that makes all people feel safe to disagree.

Casey Dawes
Wise Woman Shining
www.WiseWomanShining.com
http://cdawes.blogs.com/wisewomanshining/

Did you read the post?

Maria Niles — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:05:53 -0500

I see nothing in your comment that responds to anything written in the post.

As a member of this community I participate here because it is a place where ideas and arguments are discussed, debated and even attacked. I like the fact that there are people with diverse viewpoints that don't always agree with mine.

What I don't come here for is to read broad, baseless attacks on entire groups of people especially for the mere fact that they disagree with you or are different from you.

Your comments so far have all been to attack people and spew venom. This to me adds nothing to the conversation. You might find that this type of commentary is more relevant and warmly received elsewhere.

why all the fuss?

Idol Hanz — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:36:39 -0500

Why all the complaints about Iran and their culture and customs?

This is what liberals want to happen here in America! Somebody says something critical about somebody else and liberals are screaming "we are offended" and "fire that white male guy". We need more diversity perversity!

Iran's repressive theocracy and their repression of humanity is exactly what liberals want--except their theocracy is Godless and lawless and makes the Iranians look like they at least have principles.

Crackdown in Iran: What women wear

Pari Esfandiari — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:52:28 -0500

Since few days ago the Iranian police have launched a crack down on women whose hijabs do not match the governmentâ€™s expectations.

Every spring Iranian authorities increase pressure on women to observe the Islamic dress code, fearing that the unbearable summer heat may encourage women to bare more skin and hair. But this year government is exhibiting the toughest approach in last two decades. The streets of Tehran were filled with morality police, many of whom are women, although the area north of Tehran was quiet. Many women decided to remain at home; as a consequence, many shops and some shopping malls were closed. Still, 3500 warnings were handed over to women and about 300 women were arrested for wearing an overcoat that was too short or tight, for having a loose scarf, for wearing three-quarter length pants, or for showing their toes. Men with short sleeves or long hair were also arrested. Everyone is hoping â€œthis madnessâ€ will calm down in few days time.

Considering the extent of international and national crisis Iran is facing, the move may seem irrational. In May issue of Play Boy in an article titled "Sex in Iran" written by Pari Esfandiari and Richard Buskin; we explained how authorities in Iran use foreign threat as an excuse to strangle civil rights and crash oppositions in the name of national security. The current nuclear dispute and the imposed sanctions serve well for this purpose. Over last few month pressure on civil rights have been mounting and arrests have been made of activists and human right proponents.

But the move could cause a backlash, since it clearly conflicts with President Ahmadinejadâ€™s election promises, not to mention his increasing unpopularity due to bad economy and increasing unemployment. The move has been criticized by several members of parliament, and brought up roar from many intellectuals, not to mention the anger from general public. Fearing a backlash, the authorities have issued warnings to the press about how to treat this sensitive issue. The hijab is an obvious and critical indicator of the un/popularity of the governmentâ€™s hardliner ideology. This bold move seems to be a show of the governmentâ€™s power to more moderate factions, and at the same time an alarming indication of what may happen should the outside pressure on Iran mount up.

Images of the crackdown in Iran: