Tehran Cemetery Bans Unveiled Women's Headstone Photos

The CEO of Tehran's largest cemetery says the images of unveiled women cannot be shown on headstones in the latest announcement of the regime's crackdown on hijab laws.

Speaking to Didban Iran on Monday, Mohammad Javad Tajik stated that “displaying images of women without hijab on tombstones poses a challenge, and inscriptions and images contradicting societal norms should not be engraved on graves.”

The declaration underscores ongoing efforts by Iranian authorities to enforce compulsory hijab, even in cemeteries. In 2022, Iran initiated measures to enforce hijab on tombstones at Behesht-e Zahra, the country's largest cemetery situated in southern Tehran.

Saeed Ghazanfari, director of Behesht-e Zahra, confirmed in June 2022 that approximately 100 gravestones featuring photos of deceased women without veils had been removed. Ghazanfari indicated that this process would continue in line with the guidance of religious scholars until all such gravestones are removed. A team has been established to prevent the installation of stones bearing unconventional images.

Recent months have witnessed an escalation in government crackdowns on hijab law from heavier surveillance to bans on the likes of education and public spaces, with increasing detentions by morality police. Additionally, the Iranian regime has shuttered thousands of businesses for non-compliance with mandatory hijab, leading to significant job losses.

Prominent establishments, including restaurants and cafes owned by celebrity figures and popular athletes, have faced closure or warnings due to staff and customers violating hijab rules.