When debating feminism and religion, the conversation inevitably turns to Islam, and inevitably focuses on the headscarf. My view on the headscarf is that, while I have a big problem with legally mandating what an entire gender wears, debating whether or not Muslim women should voluntarily wear it is kind of silly. It’s an important conversation to be had, certainly, but it grates on my last nerve that when we’re discussing women and Islam, the headscarf is the primary topic — instead of, say, the thousands of other issues that women face around the world.
But all that said, it remains true that symbols matter. They’re meaningful, they project our cultural values, and their visual presence is compelling. Which is why, when the law mandates that we present particular symbols in our dress, it can be a pretty big deal. Case in point:
Iranian expatriates said Friday that the “National Uniform Law” authorized by the Iranian parliament a few days ago, which is aimed at getting “Western” style clothing off the streets and advancing more traditional “Islamic” attire, also includes a clause obligating Iranian Jews to wear a yellow ribbon.
Members of the country’s Christian minority will be forces to wear a red ribbon, while those practicing the ancient Persian religion will be obligated to place a blue ribbon on their clothes.
Now, I can’t find any more information about this other than this single article, and their only source seems to be “Iranian expatriates,” which makes me a little skeptical. But if it’s true, then wow. I have nothing else to say.