TEHRAN: Thousands of religious hardliners protested in Tehran on Wednesday against what they said was the flouting of the country’s dress code for women.

Under Islamic law in practice since the 1979 revolution, “hijab” which requires women to cover their hair and much of their body in loose clothing to prevent their figures being seen — is obligatory.

“Some 4,000 demonstrators urged the authorities and people to take heed of the situation of hijab and chastity in society,” the official IRNA news agency said of the demonstration, which took place outside the interior ministry.

Pictures of the gathering showed that men as well as women took part in the protest.

“Preserving public chastity, observing Islamic hijab and moral security are strategic matters which shall not be forgotten under the pretext of economic sanctions or government change... There are some people who are completely heedless of the Islamic hijab,” read a statement issued by demonstrators.

Fars news agency reported that “the demonstration didn’t last long after the Tehran police chief appeared at the rally and pleaded for it to end.