Explanation and Analysis of Imam Khomeini's Stance on Pahlavi Policies Regarding Women, with an Emphasis on the Unveiling Policy

Abstract

Addressing women's issues and providing innovative solutions has always been part of modernization in the contemporary world and Iran. In his authoritarian modernization, Reza Shah, with a quasi-modernist approach to the issue of women, adopted the policy of banning and unveiling the hijab. This policy, while maintaining its foundations, continued during the reign of the second Pahlavi with changes in method. This policy provoked widespread social reaction and resistance from segments of society and religious leaders. Among them, Imam Khomeini, in his speeches, repeatedly referred to this government action, criticizing these policies and condemning the Pahlavi regime's approach to the issue of women and the hijab. The present study, aiming to explain Imam Khomeini's stance toward these actions, adopts a descriptive-analytical method using library resources, seeking to answer the question: What was Imam Khomeini's position on Pahlavi's modernist policies regarding women, particularly on the issue of the hijab? The research findings indicate that on one hand, he defended women's hijab and explicitly opposed the unveiling policy of Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. On the other hand, while raising awareness and warning the public about Pahlavi's negative propaganda against the hijab, he praised the fighters and leaders who stood against the unveiling policy. The influence of Imam's approach in society led to political challenges and increasing divergence between the people and the government, which also played a role in the occurrence of the Islamic Revolution.