The newspaper “Sobh-e No”, one of the conservative newspapers, in a report titled “Modeling: Deliberate or Careless Behavior”, on the incident of Lake Lavar Dam and the leisure activities of some citizens that did not comply with the social norms in Iran, has also touched upon the issue of modeling in Iran today. It may not be a bad idea for the writer of this article to also follow the lead of this conservative newspaper – which most likely considers itself close to the ideals of the Supreme Leader – and seek their approval. At least sometimes seeking the approval of the conservatives (although there is serious doubt in that as well) is not a bad thing.

The purpose of the story of the Lafoor Dam and the amateur photography of an overly curious citizen, perhaps with a touch of mischief, caused it to grab the headlines on a day when the shadow of war and negotiations, or lack thereof, and the difficulty of the economic situation had cast a shadow over the lives of Iranians. However, the story also had a tale of another matter. A matter that “Sabah-e No” somewhat acknowledged by connecting it to the story of modeling.

We must go back many years. In Iran after the reign of Reza Shah, it seems that the clothing of the people, especially the most sensitive group, women, has been a concern of the government. The assumption of the government was that by controlling the lives and lifestyles of the people, they could also control their culture and create a people who would adhere to their values. During the reign of Reza Shah, the Pahlavi hat and later the Lur hat became the symbol of men, while the unveiling of women became their symbol. The result was arrests, fines, and many restrictions, due to not wearing the prescribed hats or for religious women staying at home out of fear of leaving and facing the government’s agents.

In September 1941, this story came to an end, but the efforts of the government continued. The documents revealed by Savak today reflect the efforts of the second Pahlavi government to create cultural changes in Iran. The government declared these changes as a way to bring the country to the gates of great civilization and to create a “resurrection” in Iran. It seems that this effort to change the culture of the people has been at the forefront of Iranian governments for many years, even more so than the lifespan of the Islamic Republic.

After the revolution, when the captain of the ship changed his political stance, he sat on the new post-revolution throne and wanted to change everything that the Shah had done. From changing all “Shah”s to “Imam”s, to mandatory hijab and preventing men from wearing short sleeves, and the patrols of Tharallah and Qas Ali Haza. The country was also involved in war and any opposing voice was silenced under the excuse of war; as it happened.

In June 1989, the elderly leader passed away and a younger student took his place. He had a history of being among the cultural elite, sitting among literary figures and being a musician in the past. He ignited a light in the hearts of the Iranian cultural community that may last for years to come. According to historical reports, he spoke less in the early years, but suddenly in 1992, the mention of “cultural invasion” by the new leader reached its peak. According to the website of the Office of the Supreme Leader, in 1992 alone, the Supreme Leader had made over 5600 attempts to clarify the concept of cultural invasion. This number was 768 in the year before and 1370 in the following year.

In fact, his concern in the field of lifestyle has been evident in his speeches throughout these three decades. Especially whenever he has been somewhat detached from daily politics and assumed that a ruling government is in place, his view has been closer to his own. The leader of the Islamic Republic has expressed his opinion on public lifestyle and is striving to change and, in his opinion, improve it.

But it seems that with the beginning of the 90s in the Persian calendar, in the near-sighted government of Ahmadinejad and after (assuming he was involved) the events related to the 88 elections, he once again addresses these issues. In 1391, during a meeting with the youth of North Khorasan province, he brings up the issue of lifestyle and says: “If we look at it from a spiritual perspective – where the goal of humans is salvation and success – we must pay attention to lifestyle; if we don’t believe in spirituality and spiritual salvation, it is still important to focus on a lifestyle that is comfortable, secure, and ethical. Therefore, this is a fundamental and important issue.” (2)

He has been striving to reform this lifestyle, in recent years, from population control policies to people’s clothing brands and from English language education to people’s trips to cities like Antalya, Turkey. In fact, according to the leader of the Islamic Republic, there are many areas of people’s lifestyles that need to be addressed and changed, and he sees himself as an old father who must guide his children.

Let’s go back to the same report “Morning News” that was discussed at the beginning of the conversation. This report talks about legal (official) and illegal modeling. In fact, it seems that the Islamic Republic has accepted the issue of modeling, but the problem is its legality. That is, what they consider to be the framework of Sharia must be observed and no one should deviate from the standard lifestyle that men consider good for the people. Additionally, the income cycle should also be supervised by men. The coverage of this concern for modeling may also lead to the neglect of girls and the commission of acts that, according to this report, are contrary to chastity, in the coverage of modeling.

It is necessary for the government to defend the rights of citizens and have the ability to pursue any attacks on individuals in any profession, and to ensure a safe working environment without any doubt or suspicion. It is also the duty of law enforcement agencies to prevent the creation of mafia in any profession and protect the rights of those involved. However, the issue here is that this type of interference is used as an excuse for the government to attack the rights of citizens by taking control of a part of the public sphere and social life, with a focus on their clothing. This has escalated to the point where a committee has been formed in the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, called the “Fashion and Clothing Coordination Committee”, which is trying to present a local fashion that is in line with Iranian Islamic culture to the people. Anyone who does not agree with the views of this committee is inevitably subject to severe law enforcement measures, from the detention of photographers to what the Sepah “Destruction of the Modeling Gang

In fact, in the field of modeling, several areas can be traced and counted as reasons for its dominance and efforts to control it. The first issue – as mentioned before – is its attempt to instill what is known as Iranian-Islamic culture. In this field, the words of Gholamali Haddad Adel, the head of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature and a close associate of the leader, are traceable. From the mid-90s until today, he has repeatedly spoken about the coexistence of Iranian-Islamic lifestyle and resistance economy. Tracking this literature in the words of the leader and the officials of the system is not a difficult task. The output is also a manifestation of the sun.

Governance, of course, considers any thought other than this as crimes, with titles such as soft overthrow, cultural invasion, and the like. Perhaps it is only in the Islamic Republic that titles such as legal and soft overthrow and the like are used; in the Islamic Republic and other caring systems! The lifestyle of the people is an identity issue. That is, it may not be directly related to national security issues, but the people’s lifestyle and behavioral identity shape the identity of that government. According to the Islamic Republic’s governance, Iran is supposed to be an Islamic country, the mother of the Islamic world and the Muslim nation of Iran. The definition of being Muslim has also been defined by the leader of the system and government authorities. So if any behavior is outside the framework and defined identity, this society will no longer follow the predetermined characteristics of its rulers. Perhaps with this explanation, it can be understood why for three decades, from cultural invasion to the Iranian-Islamic lifestyle and resistance economy

Another issue is the efforts of such governments for complete domination over a subject called “woman”. The reason why the issue of women is a subject of domination for these governments in their pursuit of controlling their own value system in society is, of course, a lengthy discussion. In short, it can be said that the procreation and fertility of women, like the land in the agricultural era, may have been the initial motivation for this controlling behavior. In this regard, a discussion must be had about the history of women with a look at human history, which is a lengthy discussion and may be explored in other sources. However, in post-constitutional Iran and specifically since the first Pahlavi era, the discovery of the veil became a matter for women. No one had a problem with men wearing swords or beards. But it was these women who were targeted in order to establish the desired cultural changes through them. In the case of land reforms and the White Revolution during the second Pahlavi era

Another issue is economic modeling. However, modeling is also a business with a financial cycle, and if these entities are not formal, licensed, and approved by the government, powerful financial entities may be created alongside this industry, which may eventually interfere with the financial dominance of certain groups among the powerful. Especially in a situation where Iran has been in a “sensitive current situation” for four decades and is under sanctions. In recent decades, there have also been numerous cases of financial corruption among the powerful, where a few become victims of the judicial system, many roam free, and some even flee to Canada and other countries around the world.

But in recent years, new social networks have become a tool to challenge the government’s efforts for control. For example, on Instagram, a person can create an account and without permission from relevant departments and organizations, publish photos of themselves or their “unofficial modeling” collections. This presence has also given rise to phenomena such as influencers and Instagram branches – which are essentially the same as influencers – and much of the economy of these branches in Persian Instagram is based on advertising clothes and modeling. All security forces are involved in dealing with these modeling branches, from cyber police to the Revolutionary Guards. And then these mostly female branches, who until yesterday were models of non-Islamic culture, suddenly become pious and devout, wearing hijab and declaring their allegiance to the Islamic Republic system, and becoming a tool for the authorized modeling or, as the rulers say, official modeling. In fact, the main issue is not the principle of modeling, but how it is done and the government’s direct influence on the

The issue of lifestyle and clothing of citizens in governments like the Islamic Republic is both a matter of national security and not. It is not because it may not have an obvious connection; it is because, according to the official interpretation of national security, this security is only guaranteed when citizens behave in a way that is in line with the norms defined by the ruling authority. In fact, it is an issue of identity. The identity of the Islamic system belongs to citizens who adhere to the approved lifestyle of their system. Otherwise, they will not be recognized by their system, nor will their lifestyle be accepted by their leaders.

And this is how, at the end of the same “Morning News” report, if cultural measures do not work, disciplinary actions come into play. And perhaps one can understand why in recent years, the use of fines and closures in this area has become so widespread. Rulers, with reports like “Morning News” and their disciplinary actions, want citizens to be obedient to their rule. Otherwise, they do not show any signs of loyalty to the country or its citizens! It may be better to say that rulers do not want such systems, they want subjects who conform to their desires. Whether it is the command of God, the command of the king, the ruler or the ruling sheikh, or whoever is the absolute ruler!

Notes:

1. The topic of cultural invasion, the website of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

2. Lifestyle, main themes and concepts discussed during the Supreme Leader’s trip to North Khorasan province, the website of the Office for Preservation and Dissemination of the Works of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, October 15, 2012.

3. Sepah: We destroyed three “modeling bands”, Radio Zamaneh, 28 Ordibehesht 1398.