‘Not myself’ with hijab, says exiled Iranian chess player

In December Sara Khadem, 25, appeared without a hijab -- which is compulsory for women under Iranian law -- at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Published : Jan 22, 2023 17:37 IST

 Sara Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, moved to Spain in early January with her husband, film director Ardeshir Ahmadi, and their 10-month-old son Sam.
 Sara Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, moved to Spain in early January with her husband, film director Ardeshir Ahmadi, and their 10-month-old son Sam. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
infoIcon

 Sara Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, moved to Spain in early January with her husband, film director Ardeshir Ahmadi, and their 10-month-old son Sam. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

An Iranian chess player who fled to Spain after she took part in an international tournament without the mandatory hijab said Sunday she is “not myself” when she wears the headscarf.

In December Sara Khadem, 25, appeared without a hijab -- which is compulsory for women under Iranian law -- at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Her action was seen by some as a show of support for the protests that have gripped Iran since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22. Amini had been arrested by Tehran morality police for an alleged breach of the country’s strict dress code for women.

Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, moved to Spain in early January with her husband, film director Ardeshir Ahmadi, and their 10-month-old son Sam.

In an interview published Sunday in the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Khadem said that before the tournament in Almaty, she would only wear the hijab “if there were cameras because I was representing Iran”.

“But with the veil, I am not myself, I don’t feel well, and therefore I wanted to put an end to that situation. And I decided not to wear it anymore,” she said in her first public comments since moving to Spain.

The newspaper said the interview was carried out at a “secret location for security reasons”.

Iranian female athletes are required to abide by the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women, mainly by covering their heads, when representing their country at international events.

Khadem said she hoped her relatives in Iran do not “suffer reprisals because if anyone should give explanations for my actions, it is me, not them since the decision was mine alone”.

She said she started thinking of moving abroad after the birth of her son.

“I started to appreciate living in a place where Sam could go out in the streets and play without us being worried, and many things like that. Spain emerged as the best option, thinking of Sam,” she said.

Khadem said she would like to continue to represent Iran at chess tournaments and plans to become an online streamer, presenting chess programmes.

“I have had that idea for years, but I did not want to do it from Iran with the veil,” she said.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment