Current Events

And let's give that old

And let's give that old convenient chestnut that it is the "foreign powers" that are destabilizing Iran, a rest. The biggest source of instability in Iran is the regime itself.

The question is not whether there is mass discontentment in Iran or who caused it. Everyone knows it exists and it doesn't matter who caused it.  The question is what is done with it.  Namely, who directs (or misdirects) those forces of discontentment to achieve their aim.  That's where foreign subversion steps in - to misdirect (and even intensify) the existing discontentment within Iranian society in a way to benefit the subverting party's society and hurt the subject society.

This is exactly what happened in 1979, and it is what is happening again 30 years later.  

The young people on the street are yearning for social freedom

Put it this way, removal of the mandatory hejab will make the IRI look much less visibly bad.  On the surface, it will look like any other country.  That would be a massive propaganda coup against those seeking to demonize the regime as oppressive and who argue that Islam itself is always imposed by forced.    

In addition, removal of the mandatory hejab and loosening of social restrictions is the worst nightmare of the British colonialists who put the regime in power in the first place.  They empowered the worst, most backwards interpretation of Islam and "anti-imperialism" in Iran, in order to discredit it forever. The last thing they want is for a "Muslim" regime which is anti-imperialist, to seem less oppressive and appear normal and progressive.

Most importantly, they know all too well that despite the grand slogans, the real driving force behind the big crowds protesting in Tehran is that their social and personal freedoms are restricted.    Otherwise, on a day to day basis, the lives of Iranians in Tehran are not much different from the lives of, say, Russians in Moscow, Azarbaijanis in Baku, or Lebanese in Beirut.

You just watch - the second the mandatory hejab is removed, and alchohol and social restrictions are loosened (the former of which is already readily available in all parts of Iran, and the latter of which already takes place behind closed doors), the air will be out of the opposition movement's tires.   And some of the brighter minds within the IRI system are finally starting to realize this.   

Jesture

Throughout the last three decades, our people have been conditionalised to the IRI and its instruments' use of their basic rights as bargaining chips in direct deals on crucial occasions and reneging once the moment is passed! What this guy does is no exception; in the absence of reformists in the prelude to the majlis elections, many conservatives are eager to put themselves on the map as alternative to the ruling establishment. And in the process they do not hesitate to tackle controvercial issues such as Hejab to propel themselves out of obscurity.

Those who were around in Iran before the revolution, remember that while there were no Hejab rules in effect in Iran, it was nonetheless enforced in the city of Qom where akhoonds were in charge of social order! IRI as in any Islamic stablishment thoroughout history, uses Hejab and other social restrictions as tools to break and control the society -- not quite unlike the way a settle and bridle is used to keep a horse in cheks! Hence, there is no way that it would relax, let alone let go of Hejab. On the contrary, as many others have pointed out here, it may even intensify the enforcement of Hejab as it loses more control and becomes more vulnerable! 

Actions come after expression.

Actions come after expression.  A dare to express a subject is the first step towards its action.  Expression provides information to Iranians who live in Iran, then people are the judge to act.

Bafava: I disagree again!

R-B, Well Said

I agree with you.

BaronAvak

The Islamic Republic "looks bad to outsiders" because it IS bad.

The regime's brutal and backward suppression of social freedoms is only one of aspect of its tyrannical misrule of Iran. Even if it were to reverse its draconian anti-social measures, it would not solve "95% of its problems with its own population" as are you are asserting.

This is because, in addition to suppression of social freedoms, the regime has repressed political, ideological and religious freedoms over its entire rule as well. In short, Iran is not and has not been a democracy, worthy of the description, under this bunch.

Besides, regardless of any reforms they might instigate now (which is highly unlikely) one day many in the Islamic Republic's various organs of power will still have to be held accountable and made to pay for their mistreatment of the Iranian people. Whatever they do, it is already too little, too late.

And let's give that old convenient chestnut that it is the "foreign powers" that are destabilizing Iran, a rest. The biggest source of instability in Iran is the regime itself.

That's exactly it, Bavafa

Dr. Homa Katouzian says it succinctly: "The distinctive characteristic of the Iranian state [throughout history] is that it monopolized not just power but arbitrary power--not the absolute power in laying down the law, but the absolute power of exercising lawlessness."

The regime has cleverly figured out how a way to have the legitimacy cake and eat it too: lay down the law but exercise lawlessness by varying the degree of enforcement.

The apparatus of this

The apparatus of this regime has had a history of speaking on both side of the mouth for various reasons. The law as Ari has cited provides punishment for those who break them and the enforcement of the law gets selectively relaxed or enforced depending on the mood of the IRI. Talk shows such as here are just to keep the masses guessing and off balanced, it has no REAL affect on ruling over people.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Agree with JJ

No hejab advertises disagreement with those that say it is necessary to wear it. That would be the clergy. Can't have that walking the streets wherever mosque and state are the same power. Similarly, any other public display of religious rule breaking necessarily challenges state law.

ماده 638 قانون مجازات اسلامي: هر كس علناً در انظار و اماكن عمومي و
معابر تظاهر به عمل حرامي كند، علاوه بر كيفر عمل، به حبس از 10 روز تا 2
ماه يا تا 74 ضربه شلاق محكوم مي‌گردد و در صورتي كه مرتكب عملي شود كه نفس
آن داراي كيفر نمي‌باشد، ولي عفت عمومي را جريحه‌دار نمايد فقط به حبس از
10 روز تا دو ماه يا تا 74 ضربه شلاق محكوم خواهد شد

This 638 article of law is the same article that establishes punishment for not wearing hejab (though the 74 lashes may no longer apply in case of hejab violations. Does anyone know?). Technically the article also covers cases of roozeh breaking in public. Roozeh is not enforced as strictly in public, but enforcement is on the rise. See for instance.

Disagree with JJ

The mandatory hejab is a key symbol which is discrediting the regime as a usurper of personal freedom. Furthermore, it holds no strategic importance and does not benefit the regime at all.  It only hurts them by making them look bad to outsiders, turning their own people against them, and wasting precious resources enforcing stupid things like peoples' clothes and hair.  It seems brighter strategic minds have taken over the the ruling apparatus of the Islamic Republic, and they are trying to subtly and tactifully undo the mandatory hejab political blunder. 

I am of the view that if the IRI undoes the mandatory hejab, and loosens other social rules (like alchohol consumption, more social activities, cafes, concerts, etc.) , 95% of their problems with their own population will be resolved.   Once they placate the mass domestic discontentment, they can focus more energy and power on foreign policy and other strategic matters.  And it also takes away manipulation of the discontentment of the Iranian youth as a weapon for foreign powers to destabilize Iran.   

Yes indeed

You can't run the modern Iran with the 1400 years old desert laws. It seems like they are trying to find some ways of reducing the pressure.

Liar!

Che gereftari dochar shodeh iran?

Aslan ghabeleh bavar nist, dasteh che dooroogoohayi oftadim!

ghaltaagh

Dozd.

حجت الاسلام پناهی از دو حالت خارج نیست

یا اینکه داروهاش رو مصرف کرده و یا اینکه می خواد برای انتخابات مجلس کاندید بشه.

oh really?

panahian is one of the most radical mollas around. he has called for the execution of those who simply oppose velatyate faghih. it appears that he is trying to win some hearts and minds by offering a softer position on the hejab.

however, a) it's too late for winning any hearts and minds, b) the hejab is a key symbol of the islamic republic's domination. the regime has no intention of softening its position. in fact it's getting more radical and fundamentalist in its treatment of people.