Rouhani Clashes With Morality Police Over Wearing Of Islamic Hijab

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been advocating for the citizen's right to privacy as the number of police officers is increasing to make sure Iranian women do keep their hair covered.

'One must not interfere in the citizen'privacy', said the Iranian President Hassan Rohani on April 20. He also called for treating 'our daughters and women' with respect as to make sure the good conduct rules are being well observed.

'God has bestowed dignity to all human beings and this dignity precedes religion,' Rouhani was quoted as saying by the news agency ISNA on Wednesday.

Iranian police are part of the armed forces and supervised by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the government has a say in their policies through the Interior Ministry.

The morality police in Iran usually detain women on the street for wearing bright clothes, a loose hijab or make-up, and men for unacceptable” hair and clothing styles. They have sealed off barber shops for giving Western haircuts and cafes in which boys and girls were not observing Islamic law.

Rouhani came to office in 2013 mainly on the votes of young people, and he has disagreed with strict Islamic rules. Many young Iranians hoped that his presidency would be accompanied by an easing of cultural restrictions.

But hardliners have moved to block any relaxation of the Islamic Republic’s social rules, warning of the infiltration” of Western culture. They harshly criticized Rouhani last year for saying the police should enforce the law rather than Islam.

In 2014, he said 'you can’t send people to heaven by the whip,' a comment that brought a reaction from the Supreme Leader.

The guide holds therefore more radical views than his President. The Ministry of Interior also has to play its part on the missions conducted by the police. This police remains highly popular among the elderly and the poorer lot, however the Iranian youth hates it.