The Leader of the Islamic Republic Seeking a Solution to Exit the Crisis
The Leader of the Islamic Republic is seeking a solution to exit the crisis. According to Iran Gate, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke about the role and capability of women in the country, despite not appointing a single woman to any position of responsibility within his appointed agencies. This morning, in a ceremony held on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet of Islam’s daughter, attended by a group of women described by the website of the Leader of the Islamic Republic as the chosen ones of the country, Ayatollah Khamenei met with these women. One of the focal points of his speech in this meeting was the emphasis on the effective role of women in the country.
In this meeting, the Leader of the Islamic Republic addressed the women, saying, ‘A woman in the role of a wife is the embodiment of love and tranquility, and in the role of a mother, akin to the right to life. However, it should be noted that housekeeping does not mean housebound, but rather giving priority to the home while being active in various fields of society.’ Ayatollah Khamenei expressed great satisfaction with the high and outstanding concepts in the speeches of some of the guests and added, ‘The suggestion to use educated, intellectual, and experienced women in various decision-making and decision-taking levels of the country is an important topic that has occupied my mind for a long time, and God willing, we will find a solution for it.’
A solution after nearly half a century of delay
It is both surprising and worth analyzing that the Leader of the Islamic Republic, after nearly half a century of the current political system’s establishment, is seeking a solution for the most basic rights of a large and important segment of society, not to create a special opportunity but to fulfill a right. This is especially since he, as the first person of the system with almost unlimited powers and special executive capabilities in the appointed domain, has not issued even a single order of responsibility for a woman in any of these areas in over thirty years of his leadership.
Does he believe women do not have the capability to manage and run these organizations? If the answer is yes, then all the praise for women’s capabilities in the family and society is just flattery.
Or perhaps the presence of women at the head of organizations and institutions contradicts jurisprudential and religious principles. Whatever it is, today’s words of the Leader of the Islamic Republic indicate a clear contradiction and a significant injustice that has persisted for at least half a century towards Iranian women.
Our Movement: A Voice That Was Heard
Although Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the recent protests and the role of women in them with his own favorable interpretation, he also addressed the issue of hijab, which some protesters viewed as a form of protest by uncovering it and resisting its compulsory form.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated in part of his speech, ‘Hijab is undoubtedly a religious and inviolable necessity, but this inviolable necessity should not lead to accusing those who do not fully observe hijab of being irreligious or anti-revolutionary.’
Ayatollah Khamenei added, ‘A few years ago, during a provincial trip and in a gathering of the scholars of that region, I said, why do you accuse a woman whose hair is slightly exposed and is commonly referred to as improperly veiled or weakly veiled, when in the public reception, a number of women had such hijab? These are our own women and daughters who also participate in religious and revolutionary ceremonies.’
The Leader of the Islamic Republic added, ‘Weak hijab is not correct, but it does not mean we should consider that person outside the circle of religion and revolution. We all have shortcomings that we must try to correct as much as possible.’
This approach might be a model of maximum attraction, but in this context and amid protests that were essentially centered around women, with the main slogan being ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’ Ayatollah Khamenei’s reaction is noteworthy in that he has heard the voice of protest.
Although it seems highly unlikely that there will be a change in the approach and method of the system’s governance regarding women and their rightful rights, the reaction and the mere promise of the Leader of the Islamic Republic demonstrate the power of Iranian women’s activism, as they, with their progressive and freedom-seeking movement, have sounded the alarm for even the most inattentive ears.
Apart from a few instances where the leadership of the Islamic Republic involved women, such as the special delegation sent to deliver Ayatollah Khomeini’s message to Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet communist regime,
where Marzieh Dabbagh was also appointed by the previous leader of the system in this delegation, no other woman has been seen in high levels appointed to an important task by the second leader. Therefore, one cannot be too optimistic about the promise of finding a solution from the main problem creators.
Iran is the name of a woman. The End.