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iranwire – The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader has warned domestic media against repeating Western rhetoric about women’s hijab and dress.
Ali Khamenei told a gathering of women that “when hijab and women’s dress and cooperation between men and women is discussed, domestic media should not repeat and highlight what Westerners say.”
He said the media should promote “Islam’s deep and effective perspective” domestically and internationally as “the best way to promote Islam.”
The comments came as 155 members of parliament sent a letter to the judiciary chief demanding the enforcement of hijab laws.
The lawmakers warned of “growing immodesty” and wrote that “enemies of the Islamic Revolution have designed a plan to launch a nudity movement at the social level.”
They criticized both the government and judiciary for “lack of will” in implementing the law and “negligence” that has “created conditions for the growth of nudity and unveiling.”
The hijab and chastity law passed parliament and was sent to President Masoud Pezeshkian for implementation last year, but the National Security Council suspended its enforcement.
Pezeshkian said at the time that his government had concerns about the law and was not ready to implement it.
Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said on Tuesday during a trip to Yazd that “all members of society have responsibility regarding the issue of chastity and hijab” and that while some work has been done, “it is not sufficient at all.”
He said the judiciary prepared a nine-article bill that reached 15 items when presented to heads of government branches under the previous administration.
It expanded to 70 articles in parliament but “has remained stalled until now.”
“We believe today everyone must help so that with planning and calculation, we control this situation in society,” he said.
Khamenei’s statements came a week after Elias Hazrati, head of the government’s Information Council, confirmed Khamenei had issued instructions to the government regarding “cultural and social issues.”
The instructions reportedly followed a report from the Intelligence Ministry about hijab enforcement and other social matters, covering at least 23 issues.
In recent weeks, judicial actions against artists and home entertainment networks have intensified.
Government agencies and hardliners have repeatedly criticized social conditions and women’s dress.
