Iran's Modesty Police in action
Photo: AP
Iran weighing 'national uniform' for all
'Islamic clothing that reflects Iran's national and Islamic identity' set to replace 'Western' clothes by law
The Iranian parliament authorized most of the clauses of the "national uniform law" – one of the government projects suggested by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad before parliament.
According to a report in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, the law is supposed to replace what is termed "Western" dress from the streets of Iranian cities, and advance "Islamic" dress.
According to the new law, economic relief for local clothing designers will be granted so that they can "concentrate on clothing matching the national and Islamic identity of Iran."
It was also reported that Iranian authorities are expected to establish a joint committee that will include representatives from the Culture and Trade Ministry, the Culture Committee, parliament, and government television, in order to decide how the new clothes will look.
It was also reported that the Iranian Trade Ministry has been ordered to apply additional taxes on imported clothes so that Iranian banks are forced to agree to grant loans and financial benefits to local clothing makers.
Iranian men are today allowed to wear "Western" clothes, except a tie – which is forbidden according to the law. Women must follow far stricter laws, including a mandatory head covering, and a ban on clothes that expose the body.
The Iranian news network IRIB reported that the new law has yet to be presented in its final version and that the Legislative Council, the highest Iranian monitoring body, has yet to approve it.
