Publication of a statement by the Qom Seminary Teachers and Researchers Assembly regarding the Hijab Law

The Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of the Qom Seminary issued a statement regarding the law on the hijab and chastity of women.

The issue of hijab in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a challenging debate in society for many years, and the Islamic Republic government has placed more emphasis on it and pressure on women in society to wear hijab. In the past two years, the first victim of compulsory hijab was Mahsa Amini, who was killed by regime agents because of her inappropriate hijab, according to the Islamic Republic. This is an issue that is addressed more than other problems and issues in society.

The Qom Seminary Teachers' Assembly issued the following statement regarding the observance of the law on the hijab and chastity of women in society and the lack of legal legitimacy regarding it:

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is facing problems such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, environmental problems, a sharp decline in social capital, and external threats. Therefore, in these circumstances, it is necessary to emphasize principles and policies based on national unity and empathy between the three branches of government; but in the meantime, while all concerned about society are calling for reform of methods and approaches, the Islamic Consultative Assembly has approved the Hijab and Chastity Law, which will cause further inflammation in society."

It seems that the people who passed this law believe that it is a panacea for the current problems of the complex society and that through this, they will solve all the problems of the country and religion. Here, we consider it necessary to point out some points about this law:

1- In terms of religious and Sharia principles, the enactment of any law that does not bring acceptance of custom and society and causes hatred and conflict with the principles of religion is not legitimate.

2- The course of events in recent years, including the presidential elections, must have led the representatives to the conclusion that a significant portion of the country's population is opposed to the cultural and social policies of the past. An example of this was the bitter and harmful experience of the Guidance Patrol. 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 expediency of the system and the need to strengthen national authority require all the organs of governance, including the Islamic Consultative Assembly, to act in a way that expands the atmosphere of brotherhood and national solidarity and reduces confrontation and division at the societal level, rather than increasing gloom and hostility at the societal level. The recently approved law by the Assembly will result in nothing but a further rift between the government and the nation.

4- It should not be forgotten that the Islamic Revolution was established with the participation of all members of the nation, both women and men, and with an approach of respecting people's rights. The founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini, also repeatedly opposed the use of harsh procedures and the exercise of government power for matters such as gender segregation in universities and similar issues. Today, the approvers and supporters of the hijab law must answer: do they still adhere to the ideals of the revolution, which at the forefront was human dignity and the respect for the rights of the nation? Isn't the approval of such laws a deviation from the initial ideals of the revolution?

"The Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of the Qom Seminary, while believing in the necessity of the Islamic veil in the Islamic society, does not consider the recent law of the parliament to be Islamic and rational and considers it to be in conflict with the merciful Islam and the Muhammadan Sharia and national interests. We, together with all those who care about this country and nation, call on the agents of the system to use their legal capacities to prevent the announcement and implementation of this law."

Qom Seminary Teachers and Researchers Assembly