Iranian chess player Sara Khadem, also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, obtained Spanish citizenship after competing in an international tournament without a hijab.
Khadem’s decision to forego the mandatory headscarf drew the ire of the Iranian government, resulting in the issuance of an arrest warrant.
By seeking refuge in Spain, Khadem’s support for the protest movement against Iran’s strict Islamic dress code, lled to receiving Spanish nationality in “exceptional circumstances“, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
Khadem: Challenging Iran’s dress code
Khadem’s brave act of competing without a hijab in the World Chess Championship The FIDE Rapid and Blitz in Kazakhstan last December sparked a lot of controversy in Iran. The country enforces a strict Islamic dress code, making the headscarf mandatory for women, including female athletes representing Iran at international events.
After facing the repercussions of his gesture, Khadem fled to Spain in January, where it has remained ever since. In a meeting, she saw her face with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, who praised her as an inspiring figure and expressed her full support for women athletes like her.
Iranian chess champion Sara Khadem poses for a photo playing chess in southern Spain on February 14, 2023. (Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s Minister of Justice, Pilar LLop, granted Khadem Spanish citizenship under “exceptional circumstances.” This decision recognizes Khadem’s “courage” in defending his principles and aligning himself with the protest movement in Iran against the compulsory hijab laws.
Despite the consequences of his actions, Khadem has no regrets about competing without a hijab. She stressed that the decision was an authentic expression of her true self and her solidarity with the people of Iran who are pressing for change.
Many Iranian sportswomen share her sentiments, highlighting the importance of her act as a symbol of the movement in Iran.
As an accomplished chess player, Sara Khadem is ranked 771 in the worldaccording to the website of the International Chess Federation.
Keep reading:
· Chess player Sara Khadem challenges Iran by competing in a tournament without hijab
Iran announced sanctions against the CIA and the US National Guard after riots over the death of Mahsa Amini
· Iranian Women Burn Hijab Over Woman’s Death After Arrest By ‘Moral Police’; three people die in protests
2023-07-27 22:18:59
#Iranian #chess #player #obtains #Spanish #citizenship #competing #hijab #Journal
