Reasons and consequences of the ban on wearing hijab in Iran during the rule of Reza-shah Pehlevi in 1935-1936

In the modern Iran the problem of wearing hijab is still acute. The secular opposition seeks its cancellation appealing to the past of their country. Therefore the goal of the research is to analyse the experience of cancellation of wearing hijab under Reza-shah in 1935-1936. The research problem is to determine what reasons were behind such a radical measure and its consequences for the feminine part of the society. In the study the internal political circumstances, actions of the government, the monarch’s attitude and reactions of the different population groups are described. The author comes to the conclusion that the ban on wearing hijab corresponded to the request of the progressive part of the society. The fact is recognized that such a measure caused hostility among traditional women however any organized protest did not take place. The scientific contribution is that an expert opinion is given to such an important social reform which had affected nearly a half of the Iranian society. The fact that the study is based on the sources and literature, the most part of which have been introduced into scientific circulation of Iranian studies in Russia for the first time also creates value.