In recent days, images depicting the Tehran subway have surfaced on social media, revealing a new cadre of individuals associated with the self-proclaimed Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
Officially unaffiliated, this group, comprised of both men and women, many of whom obscure their faces, identifies as ‘Ambassadors of Guidance.’ Positioned along the subway corridors leading to exits, they confront and admonish women not adhering to hijab, even resorting to photographing them without consent.
Disturbingly, some members of this group verbally assault women and girls in an egregious manner. Unidentified individuals in plain clothes surreptitiously film people’s faces without permission.
An image from Enghelab Metro featuring these emerging patrols has circulated, yet no official statements have been issued regarding the identity of these individuals or their overarching organization.
In response, the Farhikhtegan newspaper, while acknowledging the situation, attempts to downplay the illicit presence of hijab monitors and other informal groups in public spaces.
The newspaper contends that the demeanor of these agents is ‘soft’ and their warnings ‘non-serious.’ However, the report also reveals the intricate layers of these patrols, acknowledging their multifaceted nature.
The newspaper discloses, “From the very beginning of the Valiasr-Jomhuri street intersection, there is a lady wearing a chador and covering her face with a mask, who quietly reminds passers-by to wear the hijab.
A police officer is also standing next to the hijab observer woman.” Additionally, near the subway entrance, two chador-clad women, accompanied by a sizable police presence, caution women entering the subway without a shawl or headscarf to adhere to hijab.
The report delves into the various layers of hijab monitors, detailing their locations and methods. Critically, the newspaper questions the legality of capturing images of subway passengers, emphasizing the lack of clarity regarding the institution responsible for obtaining these pictures and the authority granting permission for such intrusive actions. This invasive conduct has understandably provoked the ire of citizens.
Social media users, reflecting on the atmosphere at Teatr-e Shahr (City Theater) metro station, have echoed these concerns. Last week, reports emerged of confrontations between hijab monitors and several women at this metro station.
It is essential to note that the compulsory hijab policy in Iran has long been a subject of contention. Enforced by the government, particularly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the mandatory veiling of women has been a symbol of the regime’s control over personal freedoms.
Women who resist or protest against this requirement often face harsh consequences, including arrests, fines, and social ostracism. The instances of harassment by self-appointed hijab monitors, as described above, exemplify the oppressive environment that many Iranian women endure daily, illustrating the broader issue of systemic gender-based discrimination and restrictions on individual liberties within the country.
In the midst of this unsettling intrusion of hijab monitors in Tehran’s subway, it is imperative to acknowledge the broader context of civil unrest and protests against the Iranian regime. The catalyst for this upheaval was the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, an incident that sparked widespread outrage.
Amini’s arrest on September 13, 2022, by the Guidance Patrol for alleged violations of Iran’s mandatory hijab law escalated into a horrifying episode of brutality. Witnesses attested to the severe beating she endured at the hands of Guidance Patrol officers, leading to her eventual collapse, hospitalization, and tragic demise three days later.
The aftermath of Amini’s death saw an unprecedented wave of protests beginning on September 16, 2022, continuing into 2023. These demonstrations have been described as the most significant challenge to the regime since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, representing a widespread and profound revolt against the oppressive policies in place.
The response from the Iranian regime included widespread Internet blackouts, restrictions on social media, and the deployment of tear gas and gunfire—a stark reminder of the lengths to which the regime will go to suppress dissent.
As the nation grapples with these complex issues, the subway harassment described earlier serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle for individual freedoms and human rights within Iran.
