The return of the morality police under the guise of the Noor Project has intensified pressure on Iranian women, once again raising concerns about the violation of personal and social freedoms for half the population, particularly those who don’t wear the mandatory hijab. This concern, according to Etemad newspaper, is also impacting businesses.
A recent field report by Etemad in Tehran reveals the dissatisfaction of shopkeepers who have witnessed a significant decline in customers, especially women, since the return of the morality police patrols.
One shopkeeper stated, “People are changing their routes to avoid encountering the morality police. We constantly worry that they might seal our shops if they stop nearby.”
While the overall economic situation plays a role in market decline, shopkeepers emphasize that “the presence of morality police patrols on the streets and the fear of being sealed or arrested by both sellers and customers” has significantly reduced sales, making the situation worse than before.
Another shopkeeper explained, “I can’t force people who don’t believe in the hijab.” He criticized the economic conditions, stating, “The economy is already bad, and these events have worsened it, reducing our sales by 20-30%.”
An elderly wholesaler shared that the head of the clothing union asked him to “not allow unveiled women into the shop.” This 63-year-old businessman finds this request “unbecoming of his dignity, morals, and actions. They expect the impossible.”
Many sellers reported to Etemad that “our customer base has dropped by 60%. No one dares to come this way. When a customer tries to cross here, they are followed by a motorbike and van, caught, and taken away.”
Since March 20, the regime, fearing new uprisings, has re-enforced the mandatory hijab law through its morality police. Reports detail the violence employed by officers in the new round of confrontations to enforce the hijab, including arresting women who don’t comply, and sealing medical centers, entertainment venues, and restaurants.
This action by the regime’s police has been widely condemned on social media. Some media outlets have pointed out that the so-called “Chasity and Hijab” bill is not yet law and lacks legal basis for enforcement.
Dozens of lawyers issued a statement condemning the “violent clashes” between the morality police and women who oppose the mandatory hijab. They consider the regime’s continued policies in this matter “illegal and a violation of public freedoms.”
The statement, signed by 61 lawyers, lists the “right to freedom, choosing one’s clothing, and immunity from assault” as fundamental demands of women. The return of the morality police and the initiation of a new era of “coercive policies” against women are described as a “historical regression.”
