Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Iran’s Hijab History Leads to Parastoo Ahmadi Lash Sentence
Iran’s rules about women’s clothing have changed over time.
In 1936, Reza Shah ordered women to remove their veils in public.
He was influenced by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and wanted to promote his own idea of modernity.
The order ended after Reza Shah left power in 1941.
For the next 40 years, there was no law telling women what to wear.
Many women still covered their hair for different reasons.
Some did so to oppose the monarchy, while others faced pressure from their families.
The article title says that Parastoo Ahmadi later received a 74-lash sentence in the wider dispute over compulsory hijab.
Iran has repeatedly changed how women are legally expected to dress in public.
In 1936, Reza Shah ordered women to remove the veil in public.
The order was influenced by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s policies and Reza Shah’s vision of modernity.
After Reza Shah left power in 1941, the order was dropped and no law dictated women’s clothing for four decades.
The article title identifies singer Parastoo Ahmadi as receiving a 74-lash sentence in connection with the hijab dispute.
- Who
- The Iranian state, Iranian women, Reza Shah, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and Parastoo Ahmadi.
- What
- The article examines Iran’s changing veil laws and identifies a 74-lash sentence for Parastoo Ahmadi in its title.
- When
- The key historical dates are 1936 and 1941; the article also refers to the following four decades.
- Where
- Iran, with comparisons to Türkiye.
- Why
- Reza Shah ordered the veil removed as part of his vision of modernity, while women’s later clothing choices were shaped by protest, family pressure, and state rules.
- 1936 policy
- Reza Shah ordered women to remove the veil in public.
- Influence
- The policy was inspired in part by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
- Policy reversal
- The order was dropped after Reza Shah left power in 1941.
- Following period
- For the next four decades, no law told women what to wear.
- Women’s choices
- Some women covered their hair in protest against the monarchy, while others did so because of family pressure.
- Parastoo Ahmadi
- The article title says she received a 74-lash sentence.