TEHRAN, 20 June 2004 — Iran’s religious police will launch a summer crackdown on Western-style coffee shops and women who flout Islamic dress codes, a newspaper reported yesterday.
Tehran’s prosecutor announced last month that a campaign against “social corruption” was under way and Tehranis have complained about an increase in raids on parties.
“As summer approaches, we have decided to confront corruption at cultural and sports centers, video clubs, and coffee shops... that fail to observe the regulations,” Tehran Police Chief Morteza Talaei was quoted as saying in the reformist Tosea newspaper.
Enforcement of strict rules on women’s dress, Western music and mixed sex gatherings has eased since reformist President Mohammad Khatami came to power in 1997.
However, young women who wear figure-hugging coats and revealing headscarves risk fines, jail and even lashes.
Iranian women are supposed to wear loose clothing and cover their hair.
Conservatives won a sweeping parliamentary victory in February after thousands of liberal candidates were barred from standing by a hard-line watchdog.
Conservative MP Mohammad Reza Bahonar approved of police efforts but warned against taking a tough line.
