The Islamic Republic’s Young People Seek to Do Away with Traditionalism and Misogyny, Symbolized by the Turban and Hijab
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting Mujahedin-e Khalq of Iran (also known by its acronyms MKO, MEK, and NCRI). That the U.S. government, especially with Republican support, would back an Islamist-Marxist organization with a history of terrorism was not on anybody’s bingo card, especially since young Iranians see the group as favoring the status quo over reform in important ways.
Put aside the fact that the Mujahedin-e Khalq is the only political faction with a lower popularity inside Iran than the Islamic Republic itself. Despite the Islamic Republic’s many vices, it mobilized Iranians to fight against Saddam Hussein’s invasion when the Mujahedin-e Khalq joined Saddam’s military.
Among the younger generation who do not remember the war, the cleavage is cultural. In 2022, Iranians rose up over compulsory hijab. Young Iranian women and girls filmed themselves burning their hijabs and going out in public with their hair uncovered. The problem is that the Mujahedin-e Khalq leader Maryam Rajavi wears the hijab. To understand why Rajavi’s wearing a hijab is so problematic, Americans need to realize how the question of hijab differs in Iran and America.
Americans see the hijab through the liberal lens of religious practice and tolerance. The Islamic Republic is not a liberal country, though. In a theocracy where religion and politics are intertwined, the hijab has become a political symbol. The young generation bemoans that their country is culturally and politically backward, shackled by traditionalism and religion, by misogyny and gender oppression. Youth see secularism as the remedy. They seek to do away with traditionalism and misogyny, symbolized by the turban and hijab.
Read the rest in the Middle East Forum Observer.
