The Iranian judiciary says two organisers of a marathon have been arrested for allowing women who were not wearing hijabs to take part.
This move comes after images appeared online of unveiled women competing in the race on Friday. Around 2,000 women and 3,000 men participated separately in the marathon on Kish Island off the southern coast of Iran, with female competitors dressed in red t-shirts, some of whom were visibly not wearing the hijab or any other head covering.
This drew very different reactions. Many supporters of change in Iran hailed the images as evidence of Iranian women rejecting the imposed dress restrictions. In contrast, Iranian officials responded to it as an unacceptable challenge to the status quo, with swift judicial action against the organisers of the marathon.
Criticism also centered on the event's mere occurrence, as holding such a race with unveiled women has been viewed as contradictory to the regime's policies. The prosecutor in Kish described the marathon as a violation of public decency. This latest incident reinforces the ongoing struggle between the Iranian government and its citizens, particularly regarding women's rights in public life.
Notably, public demonstrations over dress codes were fueled by the death of Mahsa Amini three years ago, leading to a mixed governmental response—sometimes easing restrictions, other times enforcing stringent measures against female defiance. This dynamic continues to shape the narrative around women's attire in Iran as authorities promise a renewed crackdown on those not wearing hijabs in public.
The standoff between Iran’s leadership and its populace—especially younger generations—over hijab regulations is expected to persist, highlighting the deep divides over personal freedoms within the theocratic regime.
