Brave Iranian women Refused Hijab
An Iranian woman who refused to wear a hijab received 74 lashes as punishment.
A 33-year-old Iranian woman in Tehran who refused to wear a hijab has reportedly received 74 lashes as punishment. The UK newspaper ‘The Telegraph’ reported the news on January 7, 2024, local time. Iran court charged her with violating public morality by not wearing a hijab in a public place, appearing shamefully among the crowds in Tehran, and promoting laissez-faire attitudes.
The woman's name is Roya Hejmati. Initially, the court sentenced her to 13 years in prison, a fine of 12 million Iranian rials (approximately $370), and 74 lashes. However, the higher court overturned the imprisonment.
The punishment of lashes is part of Iran's Islamic law, Sharia.
Roya Hejmati had posted a photo on social media in April of the previous year without wearing a hijab. The police arrested Hejmati at her home, accusing her of appearing in public without wearing a hijab, and detained her for 11 days.
Despite facing the threat of harsher lashings and additional charges as soon as she entered the courtroom, Hejmati continued to refuse to wear the Hijab.
The Kurdish human rights organization Hengaw reported that Hejmati is of Kurdish descent.
Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has legally required all women to wear the Hijab. However, sporadic protests against the Hijab have occurred. In September 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, refused to wear the Hijab and died under suspicious circumstances.
Iran has installed surveillance cameras in public places to punish women who do not wear the Hijab and has imposed business suspensions on restaurants and shops that host such women.
Social media in Arab countries listed criticism of Iran's hijab policy. Many posts commend the courage of women who defy lashings and continue to resist wearing the Hijab. Brave Iranian women bring a spring to the cold Iranian society.
REFORMANDA/BREADTV