Hijab violation: Iran bans work of 12 female artists

Iran: Iranian authorities have banned a dozen female artists from working for failing to follow the Islamic republic’s strict dress code, which includes mandatory headscarves, an official said Wednesday. “Those who will not follow the law will not be allowed to work,” Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting. On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that a dozen actresses found to be violating the hijab law – including Taraneh Alidosti, Katayoun Riahi and Fatemeh Motamed-Aria – “will not be allowed to play roles in films”. Alidosti and Riahi were among the public figures who were briefly detained during widespread protests last year over the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini. Amini was previously arrested for violating the strict dress code for women in Iran. His death followed months of demonstrations that officials described as “riots” instigated by foreign governments. Since last year’s mass protests, women have increasingly been violating the dress code, which requires head coverings and modest clothing. Covering the neck and head has been mandatory for women since 1983, following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has in the past few months stepped up its crackdown on women and businesses violating hijab rules. In September, lawmakers voted in favor of toughening penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for women who violate the dress code.