Abstract:

The struggle between religion and secular is a prominent feature of Iran's political modernization process. The female veil is an important social characterization and has evolved into a distinctive political symbol. The dispute over Iranian women's veils began at the beginning of the political modernization process at the end of the 19 th century, and experienced a historical process from folk discussions to official coercion. Regardless of whether it is the Pahlavi Kingdom or the Islamic Republic, the authorities have strengthened political authority by forcing veiling or unveiling to achieve the legitimacy of the regime and the extension of the national ideology in the social field. The recognition and resistance of social groups to the government is also reflected in female veils. The contradictions in Iran's modernization process reflected in the dispute of women's veils not only include the tension between traditional forces and emerging groups, but also reflect the dispute between tradition and modernity. With the in-depth influence of economic modernization, the self-determination of women's veils will gradually become a manifestation of women's civil rights and herald the development direction of Iran's political modernization process.

Keyword：Iran; Women ' s Veils; Religious Clothing; Political Symbols; Religious-Secular Competition;

Published on Arab World Studies, Issue 1,2021.