The Leader of the Islamic Republic Seeking a Solution to Exit the Crisis
The Leader of the Islamic Republic Seeking a Solution to Exit the Crisis According to Iran Gate, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke about the role and capabilities of women in the country, yet he has not appointed a single woman to any position of responsibility within his appointed circles. This morning, in a ceremony held ahead of the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet of Islam’s daughter, attended by a group of women described by the Islamic Republic Leader’s website as selected from the country, Ayatollah Khamenei met with these women. One of the key points of his speech in this meeting was emphasizing the effective role of women in the country.
In this meeting, the Leader of the Islamic Republic addressed the women, saying that a woman, in the role of a wife, is a symbol of love and tranquility, and in the role of a mother, akin to the right to life. However, it should be noted that homemaking does not mean staying at home, but rather giving importance to the home while being active in various fields of society. Ayatollah Khamenei expressed great satisfaction with the high and prominent concepts in the speeches of some guests, adding that the proposal to use educated, wise, and experienced women in various levels of decision-making in the country is an important issue 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
The fact that the Leader of the Islamic Republic, after nearly half a century since the establishment of the current political system, is seeking a solution for the most basic rights of a large and important segment of society, not to create a special opportunity, is both surprising and worth analyzing. This is because he, as the first person in the system, with almost unlimited powers and special executive facilities in the appointive domain, has not issued even a single appointment for a woman in any of these areas in over thirty years of his leadership.
Does he believe that women lack the ability to manage and run these entities? If the answer is yes, then all this praise for women’s capabilities in the family and society is mere formality.
Or perhaps the presence of women at the head of organizations and institutions contradicts religious and jurisprudential principles. Whatever it is, today’s remarks by the Leader of the Islamic Republic indicate a clear contradiction and a great injustice at least half a century old towards the women of Iran.
Our Movement, A Voice That Was Heard
Although Ayatollah Khamenei referred to recent protests and the role of women, albeit with his own interpretation, he also addressed the issue of hijab, which some protesters have rejected and not adhered to its mandatory form as an act of protest.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated in part of his remarks that hijab is undoubtedly a religious and inviolable necessity, but this inviolable necessity should not lead to those who do not fully observe hijab being accused of irreligion or being anti-revolutionary.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that a few years ago, during a provincial trip and in a gathering of the region’s scholars, I said why do you accuse a woman who has a bit of her hair showing, commonly referred to as improperly veiled, when in fact she is weakly veiled, while some women in the public reception had such a hijab. These are our own women and daughters who also participate in religious and revolutionary ceremonies.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic added that weak hijab is not correct, but it does not mean that the individual should be considered outside the circle of religion and revolution. We all have shortcomings that we must try to rectify as much as possible.
This approach might be a model of maximum attraction, but the fact that at this juncture and amid protests, which essentially formed with women at the forefront and with the main slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’ Ayatollah Khamenei’s reaction is noteworthy in that he has heard the voice of protest.
Although it seems very unlikely that there will be a change in the approach and method of governance of the system regarding women and their rightful rights, the reaction and promise, albeit only a promise, of the Leader of the Islamic Republic indicates the power of Iranian women’s activism, as it is they who, with their progressive and freedom-seeking movement, have sounded the alarm for even the most inattentive ears.
The Islamic Republic, except for a few instances when its leadership involved women, such as sending a special delegation to deliver Ayatollah Khomeini’s message to Gorbachev, the last leader of the Communist Soviet Union,
where Marzieh Dabbagh was also appointed by the previous leader of the system in this delegation, has not seen another woman in high levels that was assigned an important task by the second leader. Therefore, one cannot be too optimistic about the promise of finding a solution, especially from the main creators of the problem.
Iran is the name of a woman. End.