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The viral video circulating on social media showing women dancing around a bonfire and burning scarves is not evidence of Iran ending its mandatory hijab laws, as many social media posts have claimed.
An investigation into the footage reveals that it dates back to September 2022, capturing protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. The young woman died while in custody of Iran’s morality police after being detained for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code.
The video specifically shows demonstrations in Sari, a city in northern Iran, where women burned their hijabs as acts of defiance against the government’s dress code requirements. These protests quickly spread throughout multiple Iranian cities, evolving into a broader movement challenging state authority and policies.
Voice of America published the footage on September 22, 2022, as part of its coverage of the nationwide unrest. During this period, demonstrations intensified, with reports of protesters setting fire to police stations and vehicles. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards called on the judiciary to prosecute individuals spreading “false news and rumors” on social media, claiming such activities threatened public psychological security.
International human rights organizations documented the government’s severe crackdown on these protests, with security forces accused of using excessive force against demonstrators. The movement became one of the most significant challenges to the Iranian regime in recent years, drawing global attention to women’s rights issues in the country.
Contrary to recent social media claims, there has been no credible evidence or official announcement that Iran has lifted the legal obligation for women to wear the hijab as of October 2025. Bahar Ghandehari, advocacy director at the Center for Human Rights in Iran, confirmed in a recent statement to AFP that “the mandatory hijab requirement has not been legally abolished. It remains the law of the land.”
The confusion may have stemmed from comments made by Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, who reportedly stated that “currently, there is no mandatory law regarding hijab.” However, Bahonar later retracted this statement in an interview, clarifying that hijab compliance remains required under Iranian law.
Recent reports indicate some changes in enforcement strategies rather than legal requirements. As of mid-2025, some women in certain areas have appeared in public without hijabs, though the legal requirements remain in place. Authorities have reportedly shifted toward using surveillance technology, imposing fines, and closing businesses that serve unveiled women rather than conducting public confrontations.
This incident highlights how easily outdated or contextually inaccurate videos can spread misinformation when shared with false captions. The 2022 protests represented a significant moment in Iran’s ongoing struggle over women’s rights and personal freedoms, but they did not result in the legal changes suggested by recent social media posts.
The circulation of this misleading content coincides with continued international attention on women’s rights in Iran, where the mandatory hijab remains a contentious issue three years after Amini’s death sparked nationwide protests.
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8 Comments
It’s disturbing to see this important protest footage being misused in this way. The Iranian government must be held accountable for the violent crackdown on the brave women and men demonstrating against the mandatory hijab laws.
Absolutely. This is a clear attempt to downplay the scale and significance of the ongoing protests in Iran. We need to continue shining a light on the regime’s repressive actions and the courageous resistance of the Iranian people.
It’s disheartening to see this footage being misrepresented in this way. The protests in Iran are a profound rejection of the government’s authoritarian control over women’s bodies and lives. We should amplify the voices of the brave Iranians standing up for their rights.
Well said. The Iranian regime’s attempts to censor and distort the truth about these protests are a sign of their desperation. We must continue to shine a light on the courageous resistance of the Iranian people.
This is a concerning example of disinformation being used to obscure the reality of the situation in Iran. The protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death are a powerful expression of the Iranian people’s desire for freedom and basic rights. We must remain vigilant in exposing such misleading narratives.
This is a troubling misrepresentation of the protests in Iran. The video clearly shows women courageously defying the mandatory hijab laws, not celebrating a change in policy. It’s important to accurately report on the ongoing unrest and the government’s repressive response.
Agreed, this footage captures the bravery of Iranian women standing up against an oppressive system. The authorities’ attempts to censor and criminalize these protests are deeply concerning.
This is a clear example of how misinformation can be used to downplay the scale and significance of the protests in Iran. The footage shows women defiantly burning their hijabs, not celebrating a change in policy. We must remain vigilant in calling out such blatant distortions of the truth.