Revolution & Hejab

This paper will consider the topic of revolutions of 1979 and in particular the Iranian revolution and anti Hejab movements. It also will discuss the relation of the revolution from religious, social, political point of views and how it changed Iran.

The year 1979 brought about events which led to the rise of Islamic movements in Iran and gave way to the fall of a famous monarch. The same year saw one of the biggest changes for women in Iran, which laid the foundation for anti Hejab movements.

Women don't wear headscarf in Iran because they have no permission to wear. Anti hejab movement of the Iranian women was started in the revolution of 1979. This article talks about that movement and how it evolved.

The revolutions of 1979 in Iran were the victory of Iranian people against the autocratic regime which the monarchy had managed to establish and keep for two centuries. The revolution was a genuine movement, embraced by ordinary masses and led by religious class. Women did not participate actively in this movement but considered as a partner or follower and supported it. As a result, women achieved some of their goals after the revolution through an Islamic perspective.

In February 1979, the shah of Iran and his regime fell in an Islamic Revolution. On the other side of the globe, a similar revolution took place two years later when the Communist bloc fell. The events of 1979 have been referred to as "The Second Decade of National Liberation," which witnessed the meltdown of centuries-old colonial and imperial structures throughout the world. It saw the rise of feminism and fundamental changes in patriarchal attitudes towards women, with women assuming higher political office and gaining more economic rights at all levels. At the same time, however, these changes were accompanied by dualistic contradictions stemming from long-standing social customs in Iran, where cultural restrictions — particularly on women — remained intact after the revolution.

Mrs. Farideh Khadem was one of the first Iranian women who dared to start publicly speak out against the compulsory veiling (Hejab) in Iran. She started her political movement in exile in Berlin since 1979, after the 800-year-old monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and the Islamic Revolution of Ayatollah Khomeini had collapsed in Iran with a population of 50 million, with half of them women.


Witty

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Passivity gradually changed into resistance, and this movement resulted in the Iranian Revolution and had a great impact on the minds of the Islamic people. From that revolution, women were empowered.

The year is 1979 and the world is in tumult, with many countries undergoing various forms of political revolutions. While some of these uprisings are led by men, there are others that are led by women . It was an exciting year for humanity but it did not end without pain and bloody consequences.

Let's not waste your precious time by introducing the fact that Women's rights are the biggest challenge in Iran since 1979 Revolution. It is true that women activists got many awards, found many strong and super power friends but they are still fighting for freedom and equality in Iran.

The Iranian revolution that took place on 11 February 1979 (Jan. 1st 1357 Lunar calendar) in Iran created fear and anger in the west. The leader of this revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, was an Islamic scholar who wanted to re-create the image of a true Islam and get rid of any western pretence that had been deeply imbedded into Iranian society. Authority of Hejab (Islamic veil) was questioned as also authority of separate entity called "Priesthood" in early days of the revolution. This all led to confrontations between pro Hejab/proprietorship parties and anti hejab/anti proprietorship parties that later became anti religion parties. These revolutionary anti hejab/anti ownership movements were inflamed by the western media's inflammatory accounts that made women's rights activists appear as militants and extremists.

Revolution and the end of archaic norms that have been implemented on the society, seems to be a norm in Iran. The history of Iran can testify to this fact; it's revolution has taken place on different occasions. One of such instances is the revolution that took place in 1979 and led to overthrowing Shah. While this revolution had various reasons, one of the most important was ending corruption and making people realize about democracy.

At the turn of the 20th century, Iran was at its peak. It was flourishing in its economy, arts, commerce and has a massive population of intellectuals. But suddenly it all changed with the rise of the western powers over the world.One country after another fell under their influence and pressure up until Iran.Like many other countries in the region, these powers almost succeeded into overthrowing the Iranian government and separating Iran from the outside world.. but due to foreign intervention, Britain and Russia stopped short of sending troops to overthrow the Qajar dynasty on behalf of its oil interests. The British had planned an Anglo-Russian invasion administration in southern Iran to be headed by Russian General Baratov and enforced with British financial backing. But when news reached London that Baratov's men were already torturing and killing nationalist revolutionaries in northern Iran (now part of Azerbaijan), the plan was sidelined. This instilled a growing resentment among the anti hejab women against the Iranian government which would later lead them to stages one of their boldest protests-The Chador Demonstration.

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Persuasive

The year 1979 had the biggest revolution in 20th century in Iran, named Iranian Islamic Revolution. Iran was run by a revolutionary government since then as well as countless anti-Hejab movements were led by the women in the city of Iran.

The contagious Iranian revolution of 1978-1979 was due to many reasons one of which was anti Hejab women movement. One of them was Sanaz Raji who participated in protests against Hejab.

The story of Iran in the 18th century is a one of revolution and an amazing culture. Iran was the center of the great revolution by intellectuals against the oppression of Shahs. The Iranian revolution was a historic movement to end the monarchy in Iran and replace it with an Islamic republic under Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of trend of revolution.

Maryam Pouyandeh is an Iranian scholar. She says the most fundamental characteristic of 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran is the public and drastic change in the perception and behavior of both men and women towards their patriarchal rules. This societal shift changed the ways the Iranians viewed religion, politics, the government, gender roles and equality.

In the past century, two Revolutions overtook Iran. The first one was the Iranian Constitutional Revolution in 1906, which occurred under the leadership of Mohammad-Ali Shah Qajar. The second one was the Islamic Revolution that has been undertaken by Ayatollah Khomeini and a great number of clerics, thinkers and activists between 1935 and 1979. Iran's history during these years was full of political oppression, tyrannical monarchs and religious suppression. That is why intellectuals have always fought to turn Iran into an advanced country with full of freedom and equality for all its citizens. Many intellectuals during those times strove hard to bring about social change and guide Iranians toward a better lifestyle.

The Iranian revolution of 1979 was the first major revolt against both Western imperialism and the obscene manipulation of class relations that characterize colonialism, neo-colonialism. It was essentially a revolt against gender discrimination and tyranny. The anti Hejab movement began as an organized protest by middle class women who refused to wear the veil in public. It also spread to college campuses where female students agitated for more freedom of expression. Then why do we not consider it a feminist revolution?