Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hints at loosening hijab rules after four months of uprising
Misty Severi
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Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hinted during a speech Wednesday that the Iranian regime could loosen regulations on women wearing hijabs. The remarks came four months after violent protests broke out across the country.
During his speech in front of “mothers and exemplary women,” Khamenei bashed the Western approach to women but claimed Iranian women who improperly wear their hijabs were still important. He said they should not be considered to be against the Islamic Revolution.
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“Hijab is undoubtedly an inviolable necessity, but this inviolable necessity should not cause those who do not fully observe hijab to be accused of being irreligious or counter-revolutionary,” Khamenei remarked. “Women who do not have full hijab should not be considered as people outside of religion or against the Islamic Revolution.”
It has been four months since uprisings took over the streets of Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of the country’s “morality police” for not wearing her hijab correctly. The protests have been largely conducted by women who are protesting for women’s rights, democracy, and a complete change to the Iranian regime, including the toppling of Khamenei.
The protests are the largest threat to the Iranian regime since its founding in 1979 and have earned international recognition. Time magazine gave its 2022 hero award to the women of Iran last month. Bipartisan leaders in the United States, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have praised the uprising.
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Despite international recognition, Iran’s regime has come down hard on protesters. At least 26 people have been sentenced to death for the uprising, according to the international rights group Amnesty International. In addition, at least 18,000 people have been arrested, according to the Human Rights Activist News Agency.