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Sister, I'll Decide That For Myself


This photo is making the rounds among Iranians. These schoolgirls -- with bare heads, not wearing the compulsory hijab -- are standing under a banner that says "Sister, the hijab means protection, not limitation."

The picture is just another example of young Iranians' frustration with the restrictions that the state imposes on them.

The Islamic hijab became compulsory in Iran after the 1979 revolution, but there has always been resistance, particularly from young people. Despite numerous crackdowns and information campaigns (such as the slogan in the picture, which the girls clearly aren't buying), young Iranians still want the freedom to define their own identities, and to choose what they wear.

-- Golnaz Esfandiari

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Written by RFE/RL editors and correspondents, Transmission serves up news, comment, and the odd silly dictator story. While our primary concern is with foreign policy, Transmission is also a place for the ideas -- some serious, some irreverent -- that bubble up from our bureaus. The name recognizes RFE/RL's role as a surrogate broadcaster to places without free media. You can write us at transmission+rferl.org

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