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Iranian authorities have not abolished the mandatory hijab law, according to an investigation by Vishvas News that debunks a viral social media claim suggesting otherwise. The misleading post, which shows women burning hijabs and dancing in celebration, actually contains footage from 2022 protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in custody of Iran’s morality police.
The investigation revealed the viral video dates back to September 2022, when women across Iran took to the streets in unprecedented demonstrations after Amini died following her detention for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. During these protests, many women publicly removed and burned their head coverings in defiance of the government’s strict dress code regulations.
Iran’s mandatory hijab law, based primarily on Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, remains firmly in place despite rumors of its abolition. This law, established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, requires all women to cover their hair in public spaces and prescribes administrative punishments for violations.
While enforcement of the hijab law has reportedly softened in some areas, legal requirements have not changed. In December 2024, Iran’s National Security Council temporarily suspended a controversial new “Hijab and Chastity Law” that would have imposed even stricter penalties for violations, but this did not eliminate the existing mandatory hijab requirements.
“There has been no such order from the government regarding the abolition of the hijab law. This is completely false,” Iranian journalist Fatima Karim Khan told Vishvas News. She noted that while morality police are less visible in public places, allowing some women to venture out without hijabs, the legal mandate remains intact.
Recent reports indicate the role of Iran’s morality police (Gasht-e-Ershad) has evolved since the 2022 protests. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in September 2024 that the morality police would “no longer bother women” for not wearing the mandatory hijab. However, the unit has not been disbanded and continues to exist legally.
The Washington Post reported in October 2025 that enforcement varies by location. In Tehran and other major cities, women can sometimes be seen without hijabs with limited consequences, while in more conservative areas like Rasht, businesses have faced temporary closures for dress code violations.
The viral claim appears to be part of a pattern of misinformation surrounding Iran’s evolving social policies. While there are signs of changing enforcement practices and growing public resistance to the mandatory hijab, the legal requirement for women to wear hijabs in public remains officially in place.
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7 Comments
This article provides helpful context around the mandatory hijab law in Iran and the ongoing protests. It’s good to see fact-checking efforts to counter misinformation on this topic. The situation there remains challenging for women’s rights.
The mandatory hijab law is a deeply controversial issue in Iran. While the 2022 protests demonstrated the strength of the women’s rights movement, this investigation confirms the law itself has not been abolished, despite some claims. Fact-checking is crucial on sensitive topics like this.
This is a good fact check article. It’s important to get the facts straight, as the mandatory hijab law in Iran remains in place despite some rumors. The protests last year showed the strength of the women’s rights movement there.
You’re right, the video is misleading and shows old footage from the 2022 protests, not the abolition of the law. It’s crucial to verify claims like this before spreading them.
It’s important to get the facts right on issues like the mandatory hijab law in Iran. This article provides a balanced look at the situation, confirming the law remains in place despite viral claims of its abolition. The 2022 protests showed the determination of Iranian women seeking change.
The mandatory hijab law in Iran is a complex and sensitive issue. While enforcement may have softened in some areas, the law itself has not been abolished according to this investigation. It’s an important human rights issue to follow.
Agreed, the viral claim about the law being abolished seems unfounded. The 2022 protests showed the strength of the women’s rights movement, but the legal requirements remain in place.