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

On September 13, Mahsa Amini, a 22 year-old Kurdish woman in Iran was arrested and beaten, leaving her with severe injuries. The severity of her injuries lead to her being hospitalized before suffering from a stroke and brain injury. Amini succumbed to her injuries as a result of the heavy blows to her head.

Upon investigating it was found that Amini was allegedly arrested by the ‘Morality police’ for wearing the hijab too loosely. Amini was beaten in the police’s patrol car on the way to the detention center to ‘educate’ her on hijab laws.

Mahsa Amini’s Death left millions globally outraged, thus stirring a string of numerous protests in its wake. Real Research, an online survey platform, launched a survey on the anti-hijab protests in Iran. The survey aims to gather public thoughts about the incident and about the laws of hijab in society. Here are the survey results below.

Highlights:

• 45.58% believe it was not right for the morality police to arrest Amini for not wearing her hijab ‘properly’
• 45.88% believe the Iranian authorities claim that Amini died of a heart attack
• 45.24% support the Iranian dress code of mandatory covering of head and neck

Repsondents’ Initial Opinions on Mahsa Amini’s Death

The survey starts with a poll on whether respondents are aware of the 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini who died after being held in custody by Tehran’s morality police. 54.89% are fully aware, whereas, 24.67% have heard about it but are unaware of the details. However, 20.45% are not aware.

Following that, the survey on anti-hijab protests asks if it was right for the Islamic state’s morality police to arrest Mahsa Amini for not wearing the hijab “properly”. In response, 46.58% say it was right, 30.48% feel it is not right, and 22.94% unsure.

The Iranian authorities claim that Amini died of heart failure. Her family and protestors, however, are accusing the government of covering up her cause of death. Thus, the survey asks for opinions about who the respondents believe, the government or Amini’s parents and protestors. 45.88% believe the Iranian authorities, however, 31.16% believe Amini’s family and the protestors. 22.97% support neither.

Police’s Way of Controlling the Protests– Right or Wrong?

Since the riots began, police have met the protestors with brutal force, armed with batons, tear gas, guns, etc. Reports suggest that over 30 protestors have been killed. Accordingly, the survey asks if respondents agree with the police’s way of controlling the protest.

To this, 36.11% strongly agree, 18.3% agree, and 18.52% are neutral. In contrast, 13.46% disagree, and 13.61% strongly disagree.

Additionally, the Iranian dress code mandates that all women in Iran, regardless of religion, race, etc. cover their heads and neck with a headscarf or hijab. The survey proceeds to ask if respondents agree with Iran’s dress code obligations. 45.24% support Iran’s dress code obligations, whereas. 30.25% do not. 24.52% are unsure.

In light of the above, the survey proceeds to ask reasons women wear a hijab. 31.78% suggest that it is to maintain a different identity, 12.71% suggest that it is to practice old traditions, 10.94% say family pressure, and 8.54% cultural pride. Others suggest religious expression (8.89%), reminders to hold on to Islamic beliefs (6.64%), and a way of curbing male sexual desire (5.74%).

Hijab– Women’s Right or Compulsion?

Further, the anti-hijab protests survey polls respondents’ opinions on whether wearing a hijab is a right or a compulsion. To this, 42.52% say it is a right, women have a choice whether to wear it or not. 32.07% say it is a compulsion that women have no choice in. 25.41% say it depends on a person and their freedom of choice.

Lastly, the survey asks how likely the anti-hijab protests in Iran will continue. 35.52% say the protests will highly likely continue in Iran, whereas, 21.9% say it is likely. 10.62% say it is unlikely, whereas, 9.9% say it is highly unlikely.