Hijab

Iran's Islamic regime continues war against secular entertainment industry

Tehran steps up its cultural crackdown, targeting cafes and theaters over mandatory hijab rules, 'vulgar' music, and on-stage contact.

A woman holds an Iranian flag near an anti-U.S. billboard depicting US President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran Monday, 25th May 2026
Students walk through the school of the "Our Lady of Visitation" Catholic church in the Palestinian town of Zababdeh in the northern West Bank, on April 10, 2025.

Islamist group campaigns against Christian West Bank school over hijab restriction on deaf student

Iranian women wearing hijab walk down a street in the capital Tehran on February 7, 2018.

Iran’s judiciary chief demands crackdown on hijab compliance, claims 'nudity' distresses patriots

Students at Tehran’s Allameh Tabataba'i University protest against the compulsory hijab, September 28, 2026.

Iranian students protest compulsory hijab, university costs as campus unrest returns


Iran establishes Tehran court for ‘moral security’ as it tightens monitoring of hijab compliance

BBC Persian reported that the announcement comes amid the renewed presence of morality police and heightened street harassment of women perceived to be violating Iran’s compulsory dress code.

Women walk past shops at Valiasr Square in central Tehran on August 8, 2026.

Iranian singer Anita Papist sentenced to 74 lashes for ‘offending public decency’ by singing

Papist, who posts videos of herself online singing in both English and Persian without a head covering, confirmed that her passport was confiscated and her mobile phone blocked.

Iranian singer Anita Papist seen singing in a social media video posted on July 18, 2026.

Iran sentences singer Parastoo Ahmadi, eight others to lashings over performance without hijab

The artists will also face a two-year travel ban and a two-year restriction on all artistic activity after the Iranian judiciary found the nine artists had offended “public decency."

PORTRAIT IMAGE of Parastoo Ahmadi, Iranian folk and traditional singer.

UN says Taliban arrest 30 women for violating hijab rules in Afghanistan

"The arrests have heightened fear and apprehension among women and girls across Afghanistan," UN Women said, adding that many of the women had since been released.

FILE PHOTO: Two Afghan women in interview with Reuters.

What is Basij? The Islamic Republic's 'iron fist' to suppress protesters - explainer

Basij, a key paramilitary militia under the IRGC, has a violent history of suppressing protests, enforcing morality laws, and committing human rights abuses, including torture and sexual abuse.

A Basij militia member patrols in Tehran following a US strike, March 5, 2026; illustrative.

'Mercenaries for foreigners': Khamenei accuses Iranian protesters of acting on behalf of Trump

The demonstrations, which began in Tehran last month, have spread to all of Iran's 31 provinces but have yet to reach the scale of the 2022-3 unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

IRANIANS GATHER while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026.

Austrian lower house passes headscarf ban for under-14s in schools

Austria's lower house of parliament passed the ban despite uncertainty over whether such legislation is unconstitutional, as a previous ban was ruled unconstitutional five years ago.

High school students studying classes at school

Austrian government presses ahead with planned headscarf ban in schools

The lower house is due to discuss the legislation that would introduce the ban, despite criticism from rights groups and the possibility that the Constitutional Court could overturn it.

 February 1 marks World Hijab Day. (Illustrative).

'A woman is like a flower': Khamenei defends Iran’s treatment of women as critics cite Mahsa Amini

“A woman is like a flower. A flower must be cared for and protected, and she will enrich you with her color, fragrance, and qualities,” he said.

 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seen on the backdrop of the pre-revolution flag of Iran (illustrative)

Iran's judiciary sues US for $22b. damages caused by 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini's death

A Tehran court ordered the US to pay $22b. in damages for allegedly supporting Iran’s 2022 protests after Mahsa Amini’s death, issuing another political ruling amid strained ties.

A mural of Mahsa Amini painted by Chilean-American artist Rodrigo Pradel in collaboration with Yasi Farazad, his Iranian-American friend, is pictured in Washington, United States in this undated handout picture.