50 Businesses Shuttered In Iran's Qom Over Hijab

A minimum of 50 businesses in Iran's religious city of Qom have been closed down for non-compliance with compulsory hijab regulations.

Mehdi Ali-Babaei, the head of the secretariat of the Dey 19 cultural and social headquarters in Qom, revealed on Wednesday that “an additional 65 businesses received written and text message warnings regarding their failure to adhere to the hijab regulations.”

The crackdown on businesses is part of a broader response by the Islamic Republic to civil protests against mandatory hijab, which have gained momentum following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody last year. Amini's arrest, labeled as "unfitting hijab" by morality police, triggered months of protests across the country.

In recent months, authorities have implemented stringent measures to enforce hijab rules, including the impounding of cars if passengers defy hijab regulations. Additionally, businesses such as cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls have been shut down for non-compliance, and celebrities who defy hijab rules have been barred from acting in films.

On September 20, the Iranian parliament approved the "Chastity and Hijab" bill, which proposes severe penalties for opponents of compulsory hijab. Originally drafted by the government and later modified by the parliament's hardliners, the legislation suggests various penalties, including substantial fines for women who do not adhere to the prescribed dress code of the Islamic Republic. This dress code mandates a headscarf covering all hair and shoulders, a loose long tunic with long sleeves, and trousers that cover the legs below the ankles.