Making Sense of Iran’s Protests
Curated by Laura McDermott
Protests have spread across Iran since the death of a young woman detained by the "morality police." We dive deep to understand the unrest.
- Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, died at the hands of Iran’s “morality police” on September 16. Amini had been detained for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly.
- Amini reportedly fell into a coma after suffering mistreatment from law enforcement and died in the hospital. Her family was denied access to the autopsy report, according to BBC Persian.
- Nationwide protests erupted in response to her death. We have all seen the viral images and videos of protesters burning their headscarves, cutting their hair, and clashing with armed forces.
- It has not always been compulsory to wear a hijab in Iran. The rule was introduced after the Islamic Revolution in 1979: strict religious dress codes were imposed and upheld by the morality police.
- Previous protests in Iran have been brutally suppressed, with members of a shadowy paramilitary militia deployed to kill and torture protestors.
- The abuses of the Iranian regime have now fused with economic hopelessness to foment these protests. The government is cracking down as it has in the past, and at least 83 have died.
5 articles on this topic
Foreign PolicyWhat the hijab protests mean for Iran’s clerical class
Editor's Note
This piece provides historical insights into the link between the strict religious laws and regime in Iran. It argues that the leadership fear any small change may result in a larger societal reform.
Editor's Note
The piece argues that although the protests in Iran are undoubtedly important and inspirational, they may not have the long term influence that many are predicting.
Mahsa Amini: By focusing on the hijab, western media miss the point
Editor's Note
This article argues that the current media reporting around the protests is fuelling Islamophobia, harming Muslim communities around the world.
Iran protests: Mahsa Amini's death puts morality police under spotlight
Editor's Note
Who are the Iranian "morality police"? In a rare interview, the BBC speaks with a member of the Iranian morality police, who have been spotlighted and highly criticized in recent weeks.
Editor's Note
The internet has given the Iranian people access to the world that the authoritarian regime would rather they never see. This article details the impact technology has had on movement's in Iran.