Khamenei asks not to accuse women who do not fully cover their heads with hijab of being «irreligious»

© Provided by News 360 Women wearing Islamic veil in Tehran, Iran - Rouzbeh Fouladi/ZUMA Press Wire/ DPA

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stressed Wednesday that women who wear the hijab in a way that does not fully cover their heads should not be accused of being "irreligious" or "counter-revolutionary," amid protests since September over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly wearing the veil incorrectly.

"The hijab is undoubtedly a necessity according to the 'sharia', but this inviolable necessity must not lead to accusing those who do not wear it entirely of being irreligious or counter-revolutionary," before calling for "using common sense," Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.

Thus, he recalled that years ago he asked "why women who wore part of their hair outside the hijab were accused" and insisted that "wearing the veil like that is not correct, but it does not mean that this person has to be considered outside the circle of religion and revolution".

Khamenei also stressed that before the 1979 Islamic Revolution "there were only a handful of women engaged in science and research, but the revolution led to an increase in the number of educated women so that in a few years the number of female students will exceed the number of male students".

In this regard, she called for an increase in the representation of women in decision-making positions, during a meeting with women on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Fatima, daughter of Mohammed.

"Recommendations have been made. God willing, solutions to these issues will be found. Some suggestions might be related to the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. They might have to be discussed there or elsewhere, especially concerning the employment in decision-making positions of our intelligent, skilled, experienced and wise women," the Iranian supreme leader has stressed.

Khamenei has reiterated that "it is an important issue" that "occupies his mind" and called for finding "a solution." "We will see what we can do," he said, before criticizing the "hypocritical" stance of Western countries that have supported the demonstrations of recent weeks, which have been harshly repressed by security forces.

"The world is responsible. When I say world I mean the Western world, Western philosophy and the existing Western culture. The modern West. I am not talking about the historical West, which is a totally different matter. The modern West is the one that has expressed its opinion on all aspects of life for about 200 years. We ask them for answers. They are guilty of the women's issue. They have caused harm. They have committed crimes," he reiterated.

Source: (EUROPA PRESS)