Statement Released by Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary Regarding Hijab Law

The Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary released a statement regarding the law on hijab and women’s modesty.

The issue of hijab in Iran’s Islamic Republic system has been a contentious topic in society for many years, with the Islamic Republic government placing increasing emphasis and pressure on women’s adherence to hijab. In the past two years, Mahsa Amini became the first victim of compulsory hijab, killed by regime agents for inappropriate hijab according to the Islamic Republic’s standards. This issue receives more attention than many other societal problems and challenges.

The Assembly of Teachers of Qom Seminary, regarding compliance with the hijab and women’s modesty law and the lack of legal legitimacy concerning it, has issued a statement with the following content:

“The Islamic Republic of Iran faces problems such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, environmental issues, severe decline in social capital, and external threats. Therefore, in these circumstances, it is necessary to emphasize principles and policies based on national consensus and harmony among the three branches of government; however, while all concerned citizens of society seek reform in methods and approaches, the Islamic Consultative Assembly has passed the hijab and modesty law, which will cause further inflammation at the societal level.

It appears that those who passed this law believe it to be a cure-all solution for resolving the current complex problems of society and through it will solve all the country’s problems and religious commitment. Here we find it necessary to mention several points regarding this law:

1- From a religious and Sharia perspective, the enactment of any law that does not have the acceptance of society’s customs and creates hatred and opposition to the essence of religion lacks legitimacy.

2- The course of recent years’ events, including the presidential election, should have led representatives to the conclusion that a significant portion of the country’s population opposes past cultural and social policies. The bitter and harmful experience of the Guidance Patrol was an example. The Iranian people have not forgotten that during the presidential campaign, none of the respected candidates were willing to defend the Guidance Patrol and its performance.

3- The system’s interest and the necessity of strengthening national authority require that all branches of government, including the Islamic Consultative Assembly, act in a way that expands an atmosphere of brotherhood and national solidarity and reduces confrontation and division at the societal level, rather than doubling bitterness and enmity. The recently passed law by the Assembly will result in nothing but further division between the government and the people.

4- It should not be forgotten that the Islamic Revolution succeeded through the participation of the people, both women and men, and with an approach respecting people’s rights. The founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini, repeatedly opposed the use of harsh methods and governmental power for matters such as gender segregation in universities and similar issues. Today, those who passed and support the hijab law must answer: Are they still committed to the ideals of the Revolution, which foremost among them was human dignity and respect for the people’s rights? Is the passage of such laws not a deviation from the original ideals of the Revolution?

The Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary, while believing in the necessity of religious hijab in Islamic society, does not consider the recent law passed by the Assembly as religiously and rationally sound, and regards it as contradictory to merciful Islam and the Muhammadan Sharia and national interests. We, along with all who care for this nation and people, call upon the system’s officials to use legal mechanisms to prevent the promulgation and implementation of this law.”

Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary