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Tehran: Thousands of Iranians have begun a protest over mandatory dress codes following a crackdown on un-Islamic dressing, according to reports.
At Shiraz University, at least 2,000 students voiced anger over new rules banning the wearing of sleeveless shirts, tight pants, shorts and tank tops in school premises.
Police said they stopped more than 3,000 women for dressing immodestly on the first day of the campaign in Tehran on Monday.
Nearly 300 women were arrested, some for wearing tight overcoat or letting too much hair peek out from under their veil, said police spokesperson Colonel Mahi Ahmadi.
Ahmadi said the sweep would go on "as long as necessary," but it was not clear whether it would become an all-out permanent campaign.
Many conservatives applauded the crackdown, which is gaining growing unpopularity, especially among young Iranians. "What they do is really insulting. You simply can't tell people what to wear," said Elham Mohammadi, a 23-year-old student.
Defending the campaign, lawmaker Mohammad Taqi Rahbar said, "Men see models in the streets and ignore their own wives at home. This weakens the pillars of family."
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s dress code campaign was the toughest such crackdown in nearly two decades.
Your comments
Wearing the dress depends upon the person that who is wearing the dress. One thing is to make sure that the dress should cover all the area of women or men. Iran is a Islamic country and they can force the people to follow the Islamic rules to protect themselves.
Noushad
Dubai,UAE
They should not arrest women but a fine is ok if necessary.
Zahid
Dubai,UAE
Guys! Pray wherever you are.. Everywhere..anywhere our lives are at risk whatever dresses you are wearing. Respect respect respect each other.
Leizamoiselle
Dubai,UAE
Leave the women alone. Next, they will be telling everyone that they must believe what they believe, Iran needs to be free from life-draining, will-breaking laws which serve no purpose.
Ben
LA,US
I think this is the right policy. We should also consider limiting people's capacity to think by removing parts of their brains associated with bad and evil ideas. We all need to turn into brainless sheep so that elder and visionary leaders do not feel inferior.
Raad
Dubai,UAE
Its a very good act to control the people who not want Islamic law.
Azmat
Dubai,UAE
Islam is a religion of simplicity and peace. We Muslims disgrace the religion ourselves by using brute force and aggressiveness. Islam clearly says to do all things peacefully and never force anyone to anything. Iran and other Muslims must understand the real meaning of the religion before insulting it globally. Follow the messenger who only practiced peace even with the enemies. We have already created enough aggressive impression in the world around. People must educate themselves on Islam properly before spoiling its name in acts of unnecessary aggressiveness. It is not enough to simply call ourselves Muslims without knowing the real meaning of it. This is for Iran and all Muslims of the world.
Habs
Dubai,UAE
Iran is not Saudi Arabia. The Iranian government needs to stop trying to make Iran into Saudi Arabia!
Mahan
Los Angeles,USA
Iranian Government should give their people freedom. We are in the Modern Day now, allow your future leaders (students) their freedom. And don't squeeze them tight.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE
What the Iranian govt. is doing very right and I support the dress code. We have to follow the Islamic dress code not the western. Because we are Muslim and we have TO know what our religion said about the dress that?s all.
Ishfaq
Dubai,UAE
This is ridiculous and too primitive. It is the individual who chooses what dress to wear and how to wear, not the government. These exercises are self-defeating. Such suppression of rights will ultimately lead to complete failure of the system. If force is used then more and more people will come out against this. It is high time these oppressive and suppressive actions are stopped. Let them understand the whole world is moving ahead and without any of these force in most other countries the people are much happier. The government?s job is good governance, not to enforce code of conduct. You can take a horse to water, but never make it drink.
Philip
Dubai,UAE
To wear nice and respected clothes is a sign of a CLEAN MIND.
Said
Dubai,UAE
These rules are not new like they are saying. Every Iranian knows very well what the dress code has been all about for decades.
People who criticize the Iranian Government measures should not only change their passport as someone smartly wrote here, but they should also stop to think when did personal comfort become more important than religion, spirituality, and a whole national system.
Gernán
Santiago,Chile
Islam is the way of life. It has no 21 or 50 century. It always goes with time and is always civilized. But today?s world believes being half-naked on the street is civilization! Guys, watch out about not being carried away.
Nash
Dar es Salaam,Tanzania
Why is a NUN in western countries allowed to put black cloth on her head but when it comes to Muslims they bring complaints? Iran is an Islamic country and it follows Islamic way of life. The Iran Govt. very is right.
Nash
Dar es Salaam,Tanzania
I feel sorry for the people of Iran not to have a choice of what to wear. I see the news and I see the reactions on peoples? faces when confronted by the police and thank god that I live in a country where civil liberties and freedom of expression are accepted as the norm.
Freetochoose
Dearborn,USA
Most of the men ruling Iran today, come from orthodox Muslim families or poor or backward families. They do not treat women as equals. They treat women as sex objects. They think that a woman?s duty is to obey her husband, produce children mainly boys, cook for him and clean the house. They cannot think beyond those points. Since they feel so inferior compared to other men, they suppress women in order to show their so called manhood.
Regarding Islam, a vast majority of Iranians think that they are Iranian first and whatever their religion is second.
I think that the present dress code for Iranian women is sign of backwardness. In this context, there are millions of excellent and decent Muslim women in the world who do not wear chador or veil. These Muslim women are highly qualified doctors, engineers, professors, teachers, politicians, lawyers, social workers, human rights activists, etc. Many of them have won awards for their contribution to the society.
Ardeshir
Chicago, IL,USA
This all are media-created. In this world which we live there are so many other things happening why is the media only interested in these news which can turn people's mind against Islam? Everyone want to see women undressed, which Islam strongly disallow. This is for their own safety which current world doesn?t give. Iran or any country has every right to say how their people should be dressed. People will object to women without any dress. Problem is only if they are fully covered. Funny 21st century. Think and Act.
Abdulsalam
DubaI,UAE
Why are Muslim countries misusing Islam? There is nothing about the dress in Quran as it is only mentioned to cover the body with a piece of cloth so that you can identify. Dress should be according to the person?s choice and it entirely depends upon culture, but to adopt any other?s culture is not good. Hence, I would suggest the Iranian govt. not to implement the law by force.
Kamran
Dubai,UAE
I think this is a very good step by Iran. Will prevent:
1. Males checking out females with a bad intention.
2. Rapes
Muslim females should understand and accept the fact that their inner beauty is only for their husbands. It is mentioned in the Hadees also.
So I think it will be opposed in the beginning but slowly people will figure out this is right way.
Iran is one of the most modern countries in the world. Go to Tehran, you have the latest of technologies. So I think Iran being one of the best places to live, is broadminded when it comes to technology and the latest trends, but also knows where to draw the line.
This is the best method to adopt. Why don?t you compare the rape figures in US, India, etc vs. Iran. The more skin you show, the more chances of cruel intentions!!
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Jo,
Your comments lead me to believe that you are painfully ignorant of immigration and citizenship laws. Pray tell, can Ms. Elham Mohammadi simply purchase an alternate citizenship (or "passport" as you put it) at the nearest Spinneys? Or perhaps she can walk up to an Embassy official and say "Here, you can have my passport back. I don't like it very much." As an Iranian, I know her perplexing predicament all too well.
Sarah
Sharjah,UAE
It surely is 21st century, but that doesn't mean we should dissolve our roots, our culture and our up-bringing. Women need to know their own boundaries, if they want respect from men, especially in modest/Islamic cultures, then they should dress in a way that should command respect not due to their revealing body, rather their thought. As per those MEN who ignore their wives after seeing models in streets, well that's all self-control is about, life puts us to these tests. In the end intention is all that matters.
Omar
Houston,USA
Descartes said: "There is no soul so weak that it cannot acquire an absolute power over the passions". Men need to take responsibility for their own weaknesses.
Gareth
Auckland,New Zealand
Being in the 21st century does not entitle anyone to start shedding off their clothes in the name of personal freedom. This issue is all about society, human behaviour and natural tendencies. Culture, religion, rules, regulation and laws of the land act as a controlling force over a group of humans. If left unchecked, humans are likely to return back to Stone Age era as far as clothing is concerned.
Reader
Dubai,UAE
Well, in my point of view what Iran is doing is absolutely correct. Day by day, we Muslims are adopting new ethics and following the west instead of following our own ISLAMIC DRESS CODE. It?s compulsory for a Muslim women to wear a VIEL.
Muhammad
Sharjah,UAE
From my point of view, I support the dress code campaign imposed by the Iranian president, as what he has done is only for safety of females of all ages. Also, the statement made by "Mohammad Taqi Rahbar" is very true. These days there are too many of rapes, kidnaps, and vulgar acts done to females who dress dirty. This is for the safety of both men and women.
Ame
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Iran should change. It is 2007 and they are supressing women.
Muhammad
Dubai,UAE
We are living in 21st century.
Michael
Abu Dhabi,UAE
This is too much! People should have at least the right to wear the dress they wish to rather than this type of rude regulations in the name of culture and religion. They should be allowed to wear decent dresses as per the convenience and self-respect.
Vidya
Kuwait City,Kuwait
Extremes are always annoying but conservatives in Iranian society can probably look at using media to spread their message amongst youth rather than adopting such methods which are not only short-lived but also attract rebellious behaviour.
Mini
Dubai,UAE
To Ms. Elham Mohammadi, change your passport if you do not wish to abide by Iran's law about the dresscode.
Jo
Dubai,UAE
What the Iranian govt is doing very right. We are Muslims. We have to follow the Islamic dress code and other requirement that are there in Islam.
Ishfaq
Islamabad,Pakistan
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