The chess player confirms this to news on Friday, before politely declining an interview. Khadem does not want to state the reason why she chooses Spain over Iran after the championship. – It is incredibly tough for her to make that choice, but very sad that it ends with her having to travel from her own home country, says chess player Johan-Sebastian Christiansen. The Iranian competed without a hijab during the World Championships in rapid and blitz chess in Almaty, which is not in line with the strict Iranian dress code. – It is sad that she would possibly have major consequences if she went home. We are soon in 2023, and then it really shouldn’t be like that, adds Christiansen. – A real fear Iran specialist and professor of religious studies Marianne Hafnor Bøe at the University of Stavanger points out to news that a possible return trip could have serious consequences for Khadem. – You have seen several times that the authorities have reacted to exactly this. That is probably why she chooses not to go back to Iran, says the expert. IRAN EXPERT: Marianne Hafnor Bøe Photo: Elisabeth Tønnessen / Press photo UiS – It is a special time with ongoing demonstrations in Iran. The country has a mandate to cover the hair, and it is particularly inflammatory, she continues. According to Bøe, the authorities do not see the hijab refusal as just a protest against the dress code, but also as a protest against the Islamic Republic of Iran. – The Iranian women may risk being imprisoned. There are over 14,000 people in Iran who have been imprisoned after taking part in demonstrations. So this is clearly a real fear for Khadem, states Bøe. Iranians took to the streets after Mahsa Amini died in moral police custody in September. They are the ones who, among other things, check that women follow the strict dress code in the country. Fact: Iran’s moral police Iran’s so-called “moral police” have the task of ensuring respect for Islamic morality as described by the country’s clerical authorities. Among other things, they involve reporting on “bad hijab”, a collective term that applies to violations of the country’s strict dress code for women. Under Sharia law, women are required to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothing to hide their figure. A typical morality police unit consists of a van, one man and one woman, which patrols or waits in busy public spaces to monitor improper behavior and dress. People who are apprehended by the morality police either get away with a warning or are taken into custody at a police station or a detention center, where they are told how to dress or behave “morally”. Women are released only to male relatives. In some cases, fines are also given, although there is no general rule on monetary penalties. The moral police are officially known in Iran as Gasht-e Ershad or the “guidance patrol”. There have been demonstrations against Iran’s strict dress code for women since the Iranian revolution in 1979. (NTB) Tribute by legend Both Khadem and compatriot Atousa Pourkashian posed without covered hair throughout the two space Christmas championships. Atousa Pourkashian is a six-time Iranian women’s champion. Photo: Christian Grieg Sander / news Chess profiler Susan Polgar is one of those who have paid tribute to Khadem and Pourkashian’s choice on social media. – Bravo to Sara Khadem and Atousa Pourkashiyan, two top level Iranian female players, who are not wearing the hijab in the World Cup! I have so much admiration for these two brave ladies, Polgar wrote in a Twitter post. news has tried on several occasions to get a comment from the players, but none of them have wanted to say anything.
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Iranian Sara Khadem played the World Chess Championship without a hijab – now she escapes to a new country – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
