Female cartoon characters shown on Iranian television must now wear a hijab, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled.
The Iranian leader Khamenei said whilst it was not necessary for the women character in cartoons and anime films to have their hair covered and wear hijab. It is ‘required’ because of the consequences of not wearing a hijab.
Political activists in Iran said the move is ‘toxic.’
Tasnim News Agency asked Khamenei whether he believed it was necessary to observe hijab for the characters of animated films.
He said, “Although wearing hijab in such a hypothetical situation is not required per se. Hijab in animation is required due to the consequences of not wearing the hijab.”
Meanwhile, Khamenei did not go into further detail about the consequences. However, he is said to be fearful that ‘girls will grow up and not wear hijab’.
Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad mocked the decision and wrote on Twitter, “This isn’t a joke! The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced women even in animations should wear hijab.”
“Even female insects like bees have their hijabs on! Their obsession with the hair of female anything is toxic. These people are in power in Iran.”
Meanwhile, Iranian academic Arash Azizi criticized the decision. “In case you thought the Grand Ayatollah Khamenei wasn’t focused on core issues of interest for Iran and Iranians.”
Hijab in Iran
Iran has already imposed strict censorship laws on the country’s film industry.
Men and women cannot physically interact with each other.
Meanwhile, officials often cut immoral or offensive scenes to the regime.
Khamenei himself has said that programs broadcast from the West led to “misleading thoughts and factual misrepresentations.”
Women in Iran have faced persecution if they do not wear a hijab. Under a law in Iran since its 1979 revolution, women must wear a hijab. It should cover the head and neck and that conceals their hair.
Story Credit: Daily Mail
Also Read: #MenInHijab: The Quest By Men To Stop The Forcing Of Hijab In Iran
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