„A mother and daughter have bravely filmed themselves cycling in an Iranian city in defiance of a fatwa that says it is a danger to women’s ‚chastity‘. The fatwa, which has been announced by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prevents women from cycling because it ‚exposes society to corruption‘. The video shows two women wearing hijabs and face veils cycling on a road in what they say is Kish, an island territory belonging to Iran. (…)
Announcing the fatwa on women cycling in public, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei told state media: ‚Riding a bicycle often attracts the attention of men and exposes the society to corruption, and thus contravenes women’s chastity.‘ Mr Khamenei has previously said the only “role and mission” of women should be ‚motherhood and housekeeping‘. (…) Cycling has long been a controversial activity in Iran. Although the activity does not have a defined penalty in Iran’s legal code, modesty laws are often used against women who cycle. Thousands of undercover agents and morality police patrol the streets to check for women who are deemed not to be wearing ‚modest‘ clothing. In May signs appeared that said: ‚bicycle riding for women is prohibited‘. Police officers have previously stated that those flouting the rule would be prosecuted. In July, a group of women were arrested for riding bicycles in Iran and made to sign pledges that they would not repeat the ‚violation‘. A recent report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the human rights situation in Iran had worsened.“
(Harriet Angerholm: „Iranian mother and daughter defy fatwa on women cycling in video message“)
