TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have taken the decision to ban a film festival after it released a promotional poster featuring an actress without a hijab headscarf, as reported by state media.
The Iranian Short Film Association (ISFA) had unveiled a poster for its upcoming Short Film Festival, showcasing Iranian actress Susan Taslimi in a still from the 1982 film “The Death of Yazdguerd”. However, the use of an image of a woman without a hijab on the poster was deemed a violation of the law by the culture minister, resulting in the cancellation of the 13th edition of the festival.
The requirement for women to wear a hijab, covering their head and neck, has been mandatory in Iran since 1983, following the Islamic revolution in 1979. In recent times, there has been a growing defiance of the strict dress code, particularly after mass protests last September, where demonstrators demanded an end to compulsory hijab.
Enforcement of Dress Code in Iran
To enforce the dress code, police have increased patrols to apprehend women who disregard the law. Additionally, legal actions have been taken against entities, such as the e-commerce company Digikala, for featuring images of female employees without head coverings.
In a recent court ruling, prominent actress Afsaneh Bayegan received a two-year suspended prison sentence for attending a public event without wearing a hijab. The court further mandated her to undergo weekly visits to a psychological center for treatment and to submit a health certificate after the completion of the treatment.
Iran’s enforcement of the compulsory hijab law continues to be a subject of contention, as some women and activists advocate for greater personal freedom and individual choice in matters of dress.
