TEHRAN – Iranian women while wearing hijab have many achievements in various economic, educational, sports, and health fields, which are growing according to international standards. The achievements that the enemies of the Iranian people are trying to deny with anti-Iranian propaganda.

The hijab (veil), the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women for modesty for centuries, has been a subject of controversy in recent times in Iran. In the 1920s, a few women started to appear unveiled.

Under Reza Shah, it was discouraged and then banned in 1936 for five years. Under Reza Shah's successor, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the hijab was considered backward and rarely worn by upper and middle-class people. Consequently, it became a symbol of opposition to the shah in the 1970s and was worn by women (educated, middle, and upper class) who previously would have been unveiled.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in this regard said, “What the evil Pahlavi regime inflicted on this country and this nation during its dark and humiliating reign, in fact, forms one of the bitter eras in our history. One of the catastrophic activities was the issue of January 8th of 1936 which took place during Reza Shah's reign. According to a plan, the enemies of Islam and Iran enjoying the assistance of the intellectuals affiliated with the Pahlavi dynasty decided to separate the Iranian women from their decency and hijab and eradicate the tremendous power of faith that existed in Muslim societies owing to the decency of women.” (July 4, 2007)

Following the Islamic Revolution in February 1979 [by the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979)], veiling again was encouraged, and in 1981 the covering of hair and wearing of loose-fitting clothing covering all but hands and face was made legally mandatory for women.

“In this case, compulsion [force] is permissible for them; and they see nothing wrong with it. However, they object to the fact that the Islamic Republic has made a modest dress (hijab) compulsory in society! If there is a problem with forcing women to appear in society with a specific type of clothing, it is worse than compulsory hijab; because wearing hijab is closer to well-being. At least, these two obligations must be viewed with equal judgment; but the West does not present this perspective. The West criticizes the Islamic Republic of Iran as a country in which the clothing of women has a compulsory form. However, those governments that make nudity and removal of hijab among men and women compulsory, are never criticized! Why is that? This is because it is against the accepted culture of the West. They are extremely defensive in this area,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted. (March 30, 1990)

With the victory of the Islamic Revolution, a new chapter began in the life and the presence of Iranian women in society who had a significant contribution to its victory.

Iranian women while preserving their hijab have many achievements in various fields. In the last four decades, Iranian women have leapfrogged in the development of civil society, arts, sciences, and championship sports and created inclusive excellence.

“Today, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, various fields of sciences are available for women: women who have preserved both their modesty and chastity--their womanly purity, their hijab, thoroughly; raise their children based on Islamic values; take care of their husbands the way Islam advises; while they continue with their scientific and political activities at the same time,” the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said. (December 16, 1992)

The active presence of women in all fields has been achieved while they wore a hijab, which shows that the hijab is not only a deterrent for women but also provides the basis for their active and constructive presence as much as possible.

While the West is trying to show a distorted image of Iranian women, the promotion of women's status in Iran and their presence in various scientific and academic fields is undeniable.

As half of Iran's population, women in addition to being active in all social, economic, and political fields, have also been present in the sports field, and despite wearing the Islamic hijab, they have been able to achieve important successes in national and international competitions.

While many believed that women sports by wearing a hijab is a difficult and impossible task, the success of the Iranian women proved that hijab did not prevent them from shining in international competitions.

Iranian women while wearing hijab have many achievements in various economic, educational, sports, and health fields, which are growing according to international standards. The achievements that the enemies of the Iranian people are trying to deny with anti-Iranian propaganda.

“In the management of national affairs, our women have shown the best management in their activities while wearing hijab and the chador. In scientific matters and literary issues, in hosting television programs, and in various other fields, Iranian women have been present and advanced to the highest levels while wearing the Islamic hijab and observing the hijab. This is something very important.

It invalidates the 200 to 300 years of effort of the West. They cannot tolerate it. It makes them angry. They go to great lengths to do something about it. That is when they stick to the topic of hijab. They stick to one thing and launch a propaganda campaign against it. That is where all these doubts and questions are arising from, and you can see how our enemies are acting. This is an important issue,” underlined

Ayatollah Khamenei in a meeting with Friday Prayer leaders from across the country in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on July 27, 2022.