In separate statements, Iranian MP Ali Mottahari, Iran judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani, and Sedighi, one of the Tehran prayer leaders, praised Tehran mayor Ghalibaf for gender segregation regulations in the capital’s Municipality offices.
Motahhari wrote: “This was a very good measure and a necessity under the sacred religion of Islam, and it should have been carried out many years ago. There is a consensus amongst the scholars that separation of the working areas of men and women is more preferable … I hope His Excellency is not effected by the heavy attacks staged against this plan and will remain firm”.
(State-run Asr-e Iran daily – August 6, 2014)
Sadegh Larijani said: “This is commendable despite political beliefs because it prevents men and women mixing in working areas, and this is a valuable measure because of the possible consequences… we shouldn’t be worried about what others think or the fact that at times they may even call us reactionary”.
(State-run IRNA news agency – August 6, 2014)
Sedighi stated: “Criticism raised against this plan is because this is a revolutionary measure and defends women’s dignity. These measures, and any such actions that make the enemies angry, must take place more often because it comes at a heavy price for them.”
(State-run IRNA news agency – August 6, 2014)