Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said Saturday that the Hijab (Islamic dress code for women) does not prevent women from playing an active role in society. 

“In the Islamic school of thought Hijab does not mean concealing women from society… To the contrary, Hijab is considered as a pivotal issue in Islamic societies,” he said in a meeting with directors and instructors of women’s religious schools in Tehran.

He said “Islam advises those who want to realize their potential in a moral manner. As such, those who are intent on (only) showing their physical features to others cannot realize those potentials.” 

On the role and importance of the institution of the family and personality, he said “Maybe the West has made some progress in developing talents due to issues such as freedom of thought…But extravagance in such freedoms has led also to undermining other potentials.” 

According to the senior lawmaker “Western society does have some elements of progress but suffers from deficiencies. In the Islamic school of thought the Ummah is always faced with critical issues not the periphery.” 

Reiterating the need for Hijab he said “What the Islamic Republic wants is a dynamic society where women have an affective presence while at the same time respecting chastity.” 

The notion of Hijab was respected both during ancient Iran and by the Jews. However, what really caused Arabs during the pre-Islamic era to marginalize Hijab is an issue that must be studied, he stressed. 

Regarding Iran’s uncompromising stance towards Israel he said “Some criticize the Islamic Republic for opposing the Zionist regime. Zionism simply has no root in Judaism.

2010/05/02