RE: Islamic establishment’s official line that “hijab is protection from sin.” And is enforced by Iran’s “morality” police that places the entire female population – 40 million women and girls – under surveillance. These state agents drive around the city and have the power to stop women and examine their dress, scrupulously assessing how many strands of hair they are showing, the length of their trousers and overcoats, and the amount of make-up they are wearing. The punishment for being seen in public without a headscarf includes arrest, a prison sentence, flogging or a fine – all this for the “crime” of exercising their right to choose what to wear.

Whereas for most women, compulsory head covering (not personal faith based) is not seen as a protection from sin (men’s uncontrollable lust) as many veiled women get assaulted anyways. They actually take mandatory veiling as an insult towards their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers as it stipulates men are powerless in front of female hair and physical anatomy, lose self-control and logic and turn into lecherous animals bound to act brutally, to satisfy their uncontrollable sexual desire. And that there is no hope for them to be cultivated, tutored and enlightened in a nurturing environment.

That is why so many Iranian women have protested against compulsory head coverings, and have paid (are paying) heavy sentences and penalties.