Iranian Authorities Ramp Up Crackdown on Businesses and Women During Ramadan

Authorities of the Islamic Republic have intensified a crackdown on businesses and women in the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In a recent incident on April 5, the police commander of Jiroft announced the closure of seven restaurants for providing services during Ramadan.

Moreover, police in Hormozgan province sealed at least 107 businesses in response to alleged disrespect towards Ramadan. 

Thirteen men and one woman were referred to the judicial authority in connection with it.

Earlier, the Director of Inspection and Supervision of Mashhad Trade Unions reported the closure of five coffee shops and four food and pizza takeaways under the same pretext.

The coincidence of Ramadan with the Nowruz provided authorities with a pretext to shut down guilds and entertainment venues.

From March 22 onwards, reports of numerous trade union closures emerged as Iranians embarked on their New Year travel season.

On March 22, the country's police command issued a statement emphasizing their stance against "any violation of fasting, noise pollution, and behaviors conflicting with Islamic and moral values."

Similarly, the head of the Public Places Supervision Department of the Khuzestan Police Command revealed the inspection of 229 businesses from March 23 onwards, warning 198 establishments regarding "public eating."

Fourteen were given sealing warnings, and 55 were closed for "violations of fasting."

This crackdown on "not fasting" in shops is set to continue until the end of Ramadan, according to officials.

Furthermore, on March 28, following inspections of over 4,000 restaurants, the Chief of Public Security Police sealed 305 "violators."

Subsequent reports detailed the closure of 42 guild units in Mashhad, 30 in Isfahan, and 6 in Qazvin.

However, the most notable closures occurred on April 1, coinciding with Ramadan 21, when news emerged of the shutdown of natural resorts.

Police interventions have shifted from confronting non-hijab to fasting, employing tactics previously used for enforcing mandatory hijab.

Over the past year, the police and judiciary have resorted to extralegal measures, such as shutting down shops, confiscating vehicles, and imposing restrictions on public services, now extending these methods to those who do not observe fasting.

According to Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, eating in public is a forbidden act and can lead to imprisonment or lashes.

Women appearing without headscarves may face imprisonment or fines too.

All women in Iran are required to wear a headscarf and loose-fitting trousers under their coats in public. 

But a growing number of women have appeared in public without a headscarf since months-long protests erupted in September 2022 following the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody. 

Amini had been arrested in Tehran for allegedly wearing her headscarf "improperly."