Iranians stand up against acid attacks on women

In protest to the acid attacks that took place in Tehran, more than a thousand people took to the streets demanding action, yesterday. These four women were maimed in acid attacks, because they were not wearing veils.

Incidents like these are shamefully common in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where attackers claim that they were punishing these women for being immoral or to protect their/ their family’s hounour. However, the nature of such an attack is almost unheard of in Iran.

This protest was seen in Isfahan, Iran’s top tourist destination, 450 kilometers south of Tehran. The crowd was seen outside Isfahan’s judiciary building, waving banners and placards. The Times of India stated that IRNA reported one of the victims, Soheila Jorkesh, telling the Iranian health minister Hassan Hashemi , “I was a student, I am educated, I was behind the wheel of my car and then the attacker took my life away from me.”

The victim, who lost vision in one eye due to the attack, added: “Nobody knew how to help me at the time. It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive…  I am the only daughter of this family. My left eye still has sight. Please help me so that I can see.”

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The Islamic law, issued in 1979, after the revolution states that women must keep their hair covered and should wear loose clothing, known as Hijab. Many women however, now prefer wearing a scarf over their heads, still keeping it covered, and a thin coat rather than chador, a traditional black garment that covers the body from head to toe.

The morality police that also have the power to arrest are on a serious lookout for women who are not abiding by the law. In the past few months, MPs have been reported writing to President Hassan Rouhani, demanding serious actions to ensure that the law on hijab is enforced.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iranians-protest-over-acid-attacks-on-women/articleshow/44915707.cms