Almost 40% Support Iran’s Morality Police Taking Legal Action Against Women in Hijab

In September 2022, 21-year-old Mahsa Amini died in detention for allegedly wearing an “improper hijab”. Mass protests erupted as a result, pulling Iran’s “Guidance Patrol”, otherwise known as the “morality police” in Iran.

Amini’s Death left millions globally outraged, thus stirring a string of numerous protests in its wake. The protests have subsided, however, recently, the police are seen to have resumed “moral” policing to ensure that women are wearing their hijabs correctly. This has again, left many rather infuriated.

Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on the hijab ruling return in Iran.

Highlights

• Legal action can be taken against women who fail to comply with the moral police’s dress code, 38.92% agreed
• 40.94% agreed with Iran’s attempts to instill fear in anti-regime protestors via execution
• 33.16% felt that one’s religious beliefs and practices should be left to one’s own discretion

The survey begins with a poll on whether respondents were aware of Iran’s “Guidance Patrol” resuming street patrols over 10 months since the death of Amini. 32.35% were fully aware, 35.28% were vaguely aware, and 32.37% were unaware.

Hijab Ruling in Iran

The Hijab, a head cover of Muslim women, became mandatory in Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was after this that the hijab was made mandatory, giving way to the Hijab ruling in Iran. The ruling has however resulted in women being infuriated due to feelings of oppression. For the same reason, Iran has its designated group of policing bodies, known locally as the Gasht-e-Ershad (guidance patrols), otherwise known as “morality police”, to monitor women’s dress code in public.

Purpose of Iran’s ‘Morality Police’

According to officials, the morality police exist to protect women from men who could get provoked, and harm them. This protection is in the form of dress codes and enforcements that exist.

Respondents were asked if they believed the above claims. 40.04% agreed to this, 31.58% said no, and 28.38% were unsure.

Moreover, if women fail to adhere to the dress code, Iran’s morality police can take legal action and even go as far as arresting them. When asked about this, respondents had mixed opinions; 38.92% agreed with it, 35% disagreed, and 26.05% were unsure.

Furthermore, the survey on hijab ruling in Iran asked respondents whether they agree with the enforcement of the dress code against women. To this, 38.92% agreed, 35.03% disagreed, and 26.05% are unsure.

Read Also: Survey on the Anti-hijab Protests in Iran

What happens if women do not comply with the dress code?

If women do not adhere to the dress code as per Iran’s morality police, strict legal action can be taken. This would include arrest and subsequent action afterward.

When asked if they agree with this, 38.92% of respondents agreed so, while 35.03% disagreed. 26.05% were unsure.

Detention facility

Upon failing to adhere to the officials’ form of moral policing, women and sometimes men are reportedly arrested and taken to detention centers. In these detention centers, individuals are taught classes as per Islamic teachings.

In response to a poll on how respondents feel about the detention facility, most of them, a collective 51.12%; agreed with the detention facility (30.32%), while the rest were neutral (29.18%), and 20.92% strongly agreed. Only about 12.1% and 7.48% disagreed and strongly disagreed, respectively.

While the idea of detention facilities may seem daunting, the thought of religious principles being forcefully taught is even more so.

Accordingly, respondents were asked what they think about Tehran’s government asserting hijab rule and using religious principles. Overall, it is evident from the following results that respondents do not favor the imposition of religious beliefs and principles on citizens. This is because using principles to fortify a political stance can seem rather forceful and unethical.

In detail, when asked about the above, 33.16% felt one’s religious beliefs and practices should be left to one’s own discretion. Moreover, 24.93% felt it is highly ethical, and the government should ensure people strictly practice their religion. 24.42% also felt that imposing religious principles forcefully is somewhat unethical, as these beliefs should be left to one’s choice and discretion. Finally, 17.49% felt it was ethical to impose such religious beliefs on citizens.

Also Read: 46% Believe it Was Wrong to Arrest Mahsa Amini for Her Hijab

Final verdict: Protesters vs Morality Police

In conclusion, 37.96% are neutral regarding protesters vs morality police, followed by 37.25% who supported the protesters, and 24.79% supported the morality police.

The survey seeking opinions on the hijab ruling in Iran overall indicated a mix of responses from respondents. While most of them were in support of Iran’s hijab ruling, a significant portion were also opposed to it. Mahsa Amini’s story serves as a testimony to what happens when the imposition of religious beliefs to fortify a political stance is taken too far.