Monitoring Desk
TEHRAN: Nasser Makarem, one of Iran’s top clerics, has spoken out against using violence to force women to wear the veil.
Since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd on September 16 after her arrest for allegedly violating the regime’s dress code for women, Iran has seen a wave of nationwide protests.
According to reports, hundreds of people have been killed in the protests including dozens of security personnel, while thousands have been arrested.
Cleric’s remarks
Makarem said that he “does not believe that violence and pressure are effective in the hijab issue.”
He stated that the president and his cabinet should be informed that they are in a difficult situation; while the enemy is active, not all avenues are closed. The hijab issue in Iran is currently linked to political issues, and some argue that removing the veil will weaken the regime’s system.
Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iran’s Tourism and Heritage Minister, had previously called for greater tolerance toward women who do not wear mandatory headscarves. However, earlier this month, Iran’s prosecutor general called on police to “firmly punish any hijab violators.” Iran has accused its opponents, including the United States and Israel, of inciting the protests that erupted following Amini’s death while in the custody of the country’s morality police.
