History of Traditionalist-Reformist Conflict: Analysis of Key Features of Anti-Compulsory Hijab Movement in Context of Cultural Revolution in Iran

Abstract

This paper observes the genesis of Iran’s Anti-Compulsory Hijab Movement and its
influencing key features having a broad impact on Iranian society and politics. The
major factions have their ideological differences in everyday life and these conflicts are
persuading domestic and foreign affairs of Iran and portraying negative impression on
world due to media projection. The study shows that while talking about revolutionary
values of Iran, both factions have their own interpretation but they conclude on a
mutual consensus most of the time. However, the issue of the compulsory hijab policy is
unresolved so far. This study contains three sections: first section deals with the
introduction of both major factions of Iran with their ideological background; second
section aims to highlight the presence of women movements in Iran generally and
particularly Anti-Compulsory Hijab Movement with special focuses on the recent wave
of 2022. The third section contains reactions of both factions to demonstrate their
standpoint from where they keep an eye on the dynamics of the Iranian society and
state. The study concludes that though both factions develop consensus on
revolutionary values but sooner or later a reasonable change in the Hijab policy is
inevitable.