The Islamic Republic of Iran is in the midst of a sort of cultural revolution as women across the country protest against the country’s strict restrictions on women’s dress, and female Iranian national climbing athlete Elnaz Rekabi took those protests to the next level over the weekend.
Rekabi represented Iran at the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s Asian Championships in Seoul on Sunday, and in an act of protest and defiance against the country’s rules and mandates against women, she did not wear a hijab during the competition.
In a historic move, Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi who represented Iran at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul, competed without hijab, disobeying the Islamic Republic's restrictions for female athletes. pic.twitter.com/KvxE5NoQLi
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 16, 2022
“In a historic move, Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi who represented Iran at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul, competed without hijab, disobeying the Islamic Republic’s restrictions for female athletes,” Iran International said in a Tweet on Sunday afternoon.
Rekabi’s actions were brave and put her at risk of severe consequences. Women are required by law to wear a hijab while in Iran as well as when officially representing the country while abroad. As a result of Rekabi defying this law, multiple reports indicate that she will now face imprisonment.
The world saluted her bravery.
Infuriating: One day after competing without headscarf at Asian Climbing Competition, #Iran’s Elnaz Rekabi has gone missing, phone confiscated, @IranWireEnglish reports that she is being flown to Evin prison. Cruel doesn’t even begin to describe it: pic.twitter.com/HMkxh4n2lN
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 18, 2022
Elnaz Rekabi inspired the world when she competed at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul without her hijab.
Now she is reportedly on a plane back to Iran where she will be imprisoned.pic.twitter.com/uDhUCPKp6g https://t.co/enL11buyzu
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 18, 2022
The bravery Iranian women are showing in the face of an unflinchingly oppressive regime is almost unfathomable. https://t.co/1k2h1QSzri
— #CeasefireNow (@maxberger) October 18, 2022
It's these individual acts of disobedience which inspire Iranians at home and abroad, and are more powerful than the Islamic Republic weapons of oppression. #MahsaAmini https://t.co/dcpxnjHaGl
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) October 16, 2022
We see you #ElnazRekabi, hero 🤍 https://t.co/GVAGal1YjW
— Kate Mason (@kvlmason) October 17, 2022
Elnaz Rekabi's grasp is firm, but the Iranian government's retrograde restrictions on women are tumbling. https://t.co/N6E2xmdbVF
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) October 16, 2022
The world will undoubtedly be hoping and praying for Rekabi’s safety after the stunning and heroic act of bravery.
