Iranian authorities have arrested two marathon organizers on charges related to images showing women participating in the race without hijabs. The arrests were made on Saturday, following a complaint from ultraconservatives who claim that authorities are not enforcing Iran's mandatory headscarf law.
The marathon, which took place on Kish Island and drew about 5,000 runners, featured several women competing without head coverings. Online images of the event sparked widespread criticism from conservatives who accuse officials of failing to enforce Islamic laws governing dress codes.
According to the judiciary, two organizers were arrested in connection with the event, one of whom works for a private company that organized the marathon and the other is an official in the Kish free zone. A criminal case has been opened against both individuals, who are accused of violating public decency and disrespecting Islamic laws.
The arrests come as Iran's judiciary faces increasing pressure to enforce strict dress codes, following protests in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly breaching the country's dress code laws. In recent weeks, lawmakers have accused officials of failing to uphold the hijab law, and the head of Iran's athletics federation resigned earlier this year after women without headscarves took part in a sporting event.
The government has refused to ratify a bill that would have imposed severe penalties for women who fail to observe the dress code. The move is seen as an attempt by authorities to crack down on growing criticism over their handling of the hijab law and allegations of western influence in the country.
Iran's strict dress codes, which require women to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public, have become increasingly sporadic since Amini's death. While conservative media outlets have long condemned the practice of wearing the hijab as "indecent" and "disrespectful" to Islamic laws, there has been growing pressure from lawmakers and activists for stricter enforcement.
The marathon, which took place on Kish Island and drew about 5,000 runners, featured several women competing without head coverings. Online images of the event sparked widespread criticism from conservatives who accuse officials of failing to enforce Islamic laws governing dress codes.
According to the judiciary, two organizers were arrested in connection with the event, one of whom works for a private company that organized the marathon and the other is an official in the Kish free zone. A criminal case has been opened against both individuals, who are accused of violating public decency and disrespecting Islamic laws.
The arrests come as Iran's judiciary faces increasing pressure to enforce strict dress codes, following protests in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly breaching the country's dress code laws. In recent weeks, lawmakers have accused officials of failing to uphold the hijab law, and the head of Iran's athletics federation resigned earlier this year after women without headscarves took part in a sporting event.
The government has refused to ratify a bill that would have imposed severe penalties for women who fail to observe the dress code. The move is seen as an attempt by authorities to crack down on growing criticism over their handling of the hijab law and allegations of western influence in the country.
Iran's strict dress codes, which require women to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public, have become increasingly sporadic since Amini's death. While conservative media outlets have long condemned the practice of wearing the hijab as "indecent" and "disrespectful" to Islamic laws, there has been growing pressure from lawmakers and activists for stricter enforcement.
. Like the marathon was just a fun event for people to participate in and they got arrested for having women run without hijabs? Its not like they were doing anything wrong or disrespecting the faith... its just a normal human activity! And now the judiciary is all "we gotta crack down on western influence"... give me a break 
. The fact that this law even exists is what's "indecent" and "disrespectful"... its time for Iran to update their laws and be more inclusive.
I'm really worried about these two marathon organizers being arrested... I mean, who's to say that showing women running without hijabs is disrespecting Islamic laws? 
These ultraconservatives need to chill out! It's just a sports event, not some kind of public protest. And what's next? Arresting people for wearing the right shoes in a mosque? 
The judiciary needs to focus on more serious crimes and leave these silly issues alone. And can't we all just get along? 
It feels like they're trying to send a message that women can't even compete in sports without getting nailed for it. And what about the athletes themselves - are they supposed to just stop participating in events because of their clothes? 
It's not like they're breaking any laws, just living their lives and competing fairly. Come on, Iran! Can't we all just get along and respect each other's choices? 
but also feel bad for the ppl who are gettin arrested 4 tryna uphold whats considered modesty 
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. The fact that women were running bare-headed without hijabs is seen as a challenge to the status quo... but maybe we should be looking at ways to find common ground here? Like, perhaps there are alternative solutions for women who want to participate in sports without compromising their values 
?
. The government's refusal to ratify that bill suggests they're trying to balance competing interests, and maybe we should be supporting their efforts to find a middle ground? 
. And now these two organizers are getting arrested just because they didn't enforce the headscarf law? It feels so unfair, like the authorities are more worried about pleasing the ultraconservatives than about what's best for the people 
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. And don't even get me started on the fact that women are still dying because they're not allowed to wear what they want or how they want... it's just heartbreaking 
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It's time for us to take a closer look at the bigger picture and have a real conversation about what it means to live in a society that values freedom and equality 
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it's literally the cutest thing ever! anyway, back to this news... i dont get why people are making such a big deal about women running without hijabs. isn't that what sports are all about? freedom and competition? shouldn't we be celebrating that kinda spirit?
they're literally arresting people who organized a marathon where women didn't wear hijabs... like, isn't that just sports? shouldn't ppl be able 2 wear whatever they want when they're runnin'? 
i feel bad for the women who took part in the event, they sound super brave. and it's crazy how this is all tied to politics... i wish Iran would chill out on the dress codes already. 
They're basically using images of women running a marathon without hijabs to make examples out of two innocent organizers 
. It's just ridiculous, you know? These girls were just trying to do their thing and have some fun, not disrespect anyone or anything! And now they're being held accountable for it? No way, José 
. Meanwhile, the real issue here is that authorities are still failing to enforce those dress codes, especially after all the protests last year 
The whole situation just feels so... arbitrary 
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. They just wanted to host a fun event and bring people together, not break any laws.
The irony is that these same laws were meant to promote modesty and respect but now they're just being used to control and oppress people. 
... and now these two organizers are being arrested? That's just crazy 
... Can't we all just be able to wear what makes us happy and run our marathons without fear of getting in trouble?