Viral Confrontation Between Woman and Cleric Sparks Court Case

The Islamic Republic's judiciary has opened a court case after a video capturing a tense confrontation between a young woman and a cleric went viral. 

The footage shows a woman without a headscarf seeking medical attention for her child at a clinic in central Qom. The cleric is seen filming her with his phone.

The incident quickly escalates, with the woman confronting the cleric and demanding he delete the video. 

Onlookers step in, concerned that the recording might cause problems for the woman due to the hijab requirement under Islamic Republic law.

🎥 به دنبال انتشار فیلم درگیری یک آخوند حامی حکومت با مادری کف فرزند شیرخوارش را به درمانگاه آورده و حجاب اجباری ندارد یک رسانه مذهبی در ایتا مدعی شد، این زن، مدیر و کارکنان درمانگاه بازداشت شده‌اند.

همزمان اما دادستان قم ادعای رسانه تندرو الفرقان را تکذیب کرده و گفته است: «در… pic.twitter.com/P0H083c4Fc

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) March 10, 2024

Despite objections, the cleric refuses to delete the video, leading to a physical altercation. Clinic staff then step in and guide the upset woman to another room.

The video has sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms, with many users condemning the cleric's actions as harassment and violation of the woman's privacy. 

The incident also reignited discussions about Iran's mandatory hijab laws and the role of religious authorities in enforcing them.

Tasnim news agency reported that Qom's prosecutor, Hassan Gharib, said on March 10 that he would issue necessary orders to identify those who disrupted the order and transferred the images to the "enemy" media outlets. 

Without directly addressing the incident involving the cleric, Qom's prosecutor expressed full support for "virtue promoters," a reference to people who warn women without hijab. 

He emphasized that the matter would be "handled decisively, fairly, and promptly."

Refuting earlier reports, Gharib clarified that the clinic had not been sealed, and its license remained valid. 

He noted that no restrictive measures were taken, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. However, no arrests have been made yet.

Earlier, a local media outlet claimed that a protesting woman "was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization along with the clinic manager and staff." 

It also said that the medical center was sealed shut.