Flesh is weaker in moralistic Iran

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (BAHRAIN), JAN. 27. Prostitution in the Islamic Republic? It was inconceivable that all vestiges of the world's oldest profession had been eradicated in Iran despite the rigours and the systems established by the Revolution. But with the dress codes, the ban on make-up, the vigilantism against ``lewdity'' and the very palpable sense that moral monitors are all around in present day Iran, it was not too difficult to go along with the theocratic regime's claim that they had set up a superior moral order. Now, in the space of a few days have come two reports, citing official sources, that the sex trade is hardly a forgotten phenomenon in the Islamic Republic.

The weekly Omid e Javan reported, citing police sources, that passports would no longer be issued to Iranian women who had been expelled from Gulf sheikhdoms because they were involved in prostitution. The weekly also reported that there had recently been a mass expulsion of Iranian prostitutes from the sheikhdoms. Normally, this would have been considered a shocking admission for Iranian authorities to have made. But the shock value was somewhat reduced because it had followed on a report last week in which a judicial official was cited as saying that authorities in Teheran had closed down 29 brothels in the capital city and arrested 85 madams and pimps.

If the social conditions that help the sex trade flourish everywhere in the world - poverty being a prime condition - they are prevalent in Iran as well, with certain special conditions that pertain to this West Asian nation. For instance, it is difficult for young couples in Iran to get married and settle down early enough in life. Incomes are meagre even for those lucky enough to find jobs and youngsters who have to work at two or three jobs a day hardly have the time for romance or the certainty of livelihood to think of settling down.

Besides, during the decade-long war with Iraq, girls went in for higher education in large numbers while boys and young men were conscripted for the front. If a relatively larger number of young women are better educated and worldly wise than the menfolk, in contrast to the rest of the developing world, Iran also remains a very hierarchical and paternalistic society.

To top it all is the fact that issues pertaining to the relations between the genders have been considered a taboo in the country. Even questions in respect of the same have to be delicately worded. For instance, when some of the peculiarities of the Iranian gender situation came up in a conversation with an elderly Iranian a few months ago, it was necessary to ask him whether such conditions did not lead on to other problems. There was a long pause and then, as if he had decided that there was no more delicate way to express himself this gentleman said, ``Teheran had the biggest red light district in the Middle East before the Revolution. Do you think this has all gone away.''

Signs that the sex trade has indeed not been eradicated in Iran are few and far between. At most, it consists of the whispered question from taxi drivers to the visitor asking whether he is interested in some telephone numbers. On the other hand, moral vigilantism can be so overwhelming that what would be considered an innocuous relationship elsewhere can be dubbed a lewd one in Iran. This is, after all, a country where young couples travelling together can be stopped and asked whether they are brother and sister, and if they are not, be asked to produce marriage certificates. Sometimes, the charge of prostitution is levelled for political purposes.

There was a report on this New Years Day that about 300 people, including foreign diplomats, had been arrested from a single venue because they were found to be indulging in the year- end revelries. The foreigners were allowed to go but the others were likely to be tried on charges that could include punishments of whipping and imprisonment. Subsequently, judicial officials have begun describing this particular party as an ``orgy'' and have warned that they might try the foreigners as though they did not enjoy diplomatic immunity.

Interestingly enough, this particular party was reported to have been held in north Teheran. The 29 brothels that were closed were also reported to have been located in this part of the capital. It is surely no coincidence that north Teheran has been the bastion of support for the President, Mr. Mohammed Khatami, and his reformers. This particular circumstance renders it highly possible that the conservative-dominated judicial branch is merely opening a new front in their campaign against reformers.

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Section  : International
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