Faezeh Hashemi: Allow Those Opposed to Mandatory Hijab to Hold Gatherings Too

Faezeh Hashemi is among those who have reacted to offensive remarks made by Allameh al-Hadi or IRIB host about “improperly veiled” women. Regarding the hijab issue, she says that a society’s laws must be updated.

In recent days, on the occasion of “Chastity and Hijab Week,” official forums and IRIB devoted extensive volumes of their propaganda programs to the subject of women’s dress. However, as these programs concluded, some remarks have not been forgotten by the media and social networks.

Several days have passed since the offensive remarks made by a television host at the propaganda conference on “Hijab and Chastity,” as well as comments by Ayatollah Allameh al-Hadi.

The representative of the Supreme Leader in Razavi Khorasan had previously used the term “hussy” to address women whose hijab does not conform to government definitions. The television host also compared those women who are “improperly veiled” and stand against the calls of the enjoiners of good and forbidders of evil to animals, and spoke about them in inappropriate language.

Remarks that have provoked many reactions.

Faezeh Hashemi: “Allow Others to Hold Gatherings Too”

Faezeh Hashemi, in response to recent remarks by Allameh al-Hadi and the host’s insult to a portion of society’s women, said: “The fact that a woman’s hijab is inadequate or that she does not wear a hijab does not give us permission to insult her.”

This political activist, referring to the remarks of the host of the “Chastity and Hijab” conference who, based on the Quran, compared improperly veiled women to animals, said: “The Quran never makes such a comparison and does not force anyone to do anything. Why don’t they cite the Quranic emphasis on slander, backbiting, and defamation? Aren’t all of these contrary to religion? The language these people use does not even exist in unreliable narrations, let alone in the Quran.”

Hashemi, noting that using such rhetoric against a portion of women “not only has no positive effect,” said: “In the past it has been shown that such policies by those who hold power and media, while perhaps causing fear in individuals from expressing their opinion in the short term, have had many negative effects in the long term.”

Faezeh Hashemi, addressing “those in power,” asked them: “If they are looking for balance, let them allow those who do not think like them, without the slightest concern, in accordance with the constitution, to hold gatherings of this kind. That is when we can understand the value of the work of both sides. But in the current situation, one can only understand the message of holding such a gathering as the proverb ‘talking to oneself and laughing at oneself.'”

Faezeh Rafsanjani had also said in an interview with IRNA news agency in the spring of this year, referring to the opposition of many religious authorities and leaders to mandatory hijab, that it has instead caused “opposition to religion and escape from hijab.” She added: “Currently, there have been changes in the perspective on the issue of women’s hijab. Many people like me who are opposed to mandatory hijab does not mean that if hijab becomes optional, I will remove my hijab.”

Faezeh Hashemi, continuing her latest speech, also referring to the fact that “a law must be acceptable and comprehensive and exhaustive,” said: “Perhaps a law in one period was responsive to society’s needs but in another period could not be responsive. Even Islam requires updating, and the role of the jurist is the same. I believe that a society’s laws should be updated and laws that have sufficient acceptance should be enacted.”

Judiciary Spokesman: “Should See Whether Everyone Understands It Like You Do”

At a press conference on Tuesday, July 25, one of the topics was these same insults from official forums. Gholamhossein Esmaili, spokesman of the judiciary, in response to a question about insults to people at some forums and mentioning the remarks of Ahmad Allameh al-Hadi, said: “It is an accepted fact that the legal system should defend the rights of citizens. However, the place where the prosecutor general has the duty to intervene is where insult to some officials or institutions of the system occurs. Regarding individuals, they themselves have the right to pursue legal action. Of course, if an issue disturbs public opinion, the prosecutor general should intervene.”

Esmaili continued: “Should see whether everyone understands it like you do? It should also be considered that the special clerical court is independent and I am excused from commenting on that court.”

Ali Zakaria: “Haven’t You Seen Sexual Humor”

IRNA news agency in a report on the margins of the hijab conference and remarks made by a satirist (Ali Zakaria), writes: “Ali Zakaria, who previously was also a panegyricist, turned to political satire from 1392 onwards.”

He, in response to the question that his remarks have been interpreted as sexual, said: “My wife, sister, and nieces were in that gathering and none of them had such an interpretation. Those who had this interpretation have not seen sexual humor, which they say is vulgar sexual humor.”

He also, in response to a question about comparing improperly veiled women to “dogs,” said: “I said only the minions of Masih Alinejad follow her and I believe they are animals.”

The remarks of Allameh al-Hadi and the spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s radio and television also provoked reactions on social networks. One of these reactions was from Laleh Sabouri, an Iranian actress, who, using a hashtag, called on officials to force Mr. Zakaria to apologize to women.

Source: DW