Netizens Praise Sarah Hadem with "This Is True Courage"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] An Iranian female chess player has attracted attention by participating in an international competition without wearing a hijab.
According to foreign media including Voice of America (VOA) on the 27th (local time), chess player Sara Khadem (25) participated in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) 'World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship' held in Almaty, Kazakhstan without wearing a hijab.
Born in 1997, Khadem is ranked 804th in the world in chess and is registered with FIDE under the name Sarasadat Khademalsharieh. She participated in both the Rapid and Blitz sections of the tournament held this week in Kazakhstan.
Netizens have voiced support for Khadem's appearance without a hijab. Through social media such as Twitter, they praised her with comments like "This is true courage," "Khadem, who played without a hijab in an international competition, is a hero," and "I want to call her the 'Queen of Chess.'"
Earlier, Iranian citizens began anti-government protests following the suspicious death of university student Mahsa Amini (22), who was arrested by police in September for not properly wearing a hijab. This protest has become the longest-running since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.
On the 21st of last month (local time), the Iran national football team, which participated in the Group B first match of the Qatar World Cup held at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, did not sing along to the national anthem during its performance before the start of the match. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, Iranian climbing athlete Elnaz Rekabi also participated in a competition held in South Korea last October without wearing a hijab. There was speculation that she supported the anti-government protests, but Rekabi explained in an interview with Iranian state media at the time, "I had to rush to the competition while waiting in the locker room. I was busy putting on shoes and preparing equipment, so I forgot the hijab." However, foreign media such as CNN reported that Rekabi's house in Iran was demolished after the competition.
Soccer players also expressed support for the anti-government protests. Last month, before the first group stage match against England at the Qatar World Cup, the Iranian national football team remained silent when the national anthem was played. As a result, Iranian state TV temporarily suspended the live broadcast of the match, and there were reports that the Iranian team players could face the death penalty upon returning home.
Meanwhile, according to the Iranian human rights organization 'Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA),' as of the 25th, more than 18,500 people have been arrested, and among the 507 who died due to violent suppression, 69 were minors. Separately, 66 security personnel also died.
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