Image via Reuters
Sara Khadem, 25, one of the most talented chess players in the world, felt the worst that could happen to her was a warning when she decided to participate in an international competition without wearing a headscarf in solidarity of the Iranian protest movement.
She is currently living in exile in southern Spain with her husband and 1-year-old son because she is unable to return to Iran due to arrest papers that are awaiting her.
She and her family asked that her particular location not be disclosed because they were concerned that there would be consequences thousands of kilometers away from Iran.
Even when traveling outside of Iran, women are compelled to cover their heads in public. However, some people are refusing to do so in solidarity of the women and girls who are leading the nation’s demonstrations in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini, 22, dying in custody in September. It is unknown what is happening to climber Elnaz Rekabi, who was compelled to withdraw, now that she is back in Iran.
Sara Khadem claimed that her choice to compete in the competition in Kazakhstan in December of last year sans her headscarf took some time to be realized. She considered it hypocritical that the participants only wore them in front of the cameras. It was the least she could do, she added, considering the sacrifices being made by Iranian women and girls on the streets, some of whom are risking their lives.