Iranian confidential documents prohibiting Arab clothing in Ahwaz 1943

Iranian confidential documents prohibiting Arab clothing in Ahwaz 1943

**Ministry of Interior**

**Sixth Province**

**Confidential**

**Khuzestan Police Department – Ahwaz**

As has been observed in recent days in Khorramshahr (*Mohammerah*), most of the residents there have recently been wearing *keffiyeh* and *agal*, presenting themselves in an Arab manner. It is a matter of surprise that the police officers have, contrary to the supreme interests of the Imperial State, neglected the enforcement of the uniform dress law.

Although verbal instructions have already been given to the Chief of Police of Khorramshahr (*Mohammerah*) to strictly prevent such demonstrations, this letter is to further remind your office to issue an order that police officers everywhere must closely monitor the situation and not allow anyone, contrary to the laws of the country and the policy of the Imperial State, to wear Arab clothing *keffiyeh* and *agal*.

Date: 1322/3/1 (Solar Hijri calendar)

Governor of the Sixth Province

A copy of the above statement is hereby submitted to the Ministry of Interior for their information. – Governor of the Sixth Province

Source of document: "The Unveiling Hejab Incident: Unpublished Documents on the Unveiling Hejab Event in the Era of Reza Shah", by Masoumeh Farshchi, Soghra Esmaeilzadeh, Morteza Jafari, Organization of Cultural Documents of the Islamic Revolution, p. 428