ALMATY, Kazakhstan ¨C An Iranian chess player took part in an international tournament in Kazakhstan without a hijab for the second straight day on Wednesday, according to a Reuters journalist present.
Sara Khadem competed at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without a headscarf, a violation of Iran¡¯s strict dress code for women.
Her action is seen by some as a show of support for the protests that have gripped Iran since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16. Amini died in custody after being arrested by Tehran¡¯s morality police for an alleged breach of the country¡¯s dress code.
Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the protests, with a string of female athletes appearing in public without their headscarves while competing internationally.
Khadem, born in 1997 and also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, is currently ranked No. 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.
On Wednesday, local officials said Khadem was not representing the Islamic Republic.
¡°This chess player participated freely and at her own expense¡± in the tournament, Hassan Tamini, head of Iran¡¯s chess federation, was quoted as saying by Iran¡¯s Fars news agency.
¡°Khademalsharieh did not participate in these competitions through the federation, but went independently and did this action.¡±
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.
¡°We didn¡¯t expect this chess player to do this because she had participated in the previous tournaments in compliance with the standards,¡± Tamini said.
Some female athletes have recently appeared in competitions without covering their heads.
Last month, Iran denounced a speedskater, Niloufar Mardani, after she attended a competition in Turkey without wearing a headscarf, local media said at the time. Mardani participated ¡°without authorization,¡± the sports ministry was quoted as saying by Fars.
Climber Elnaz Rekabi wore only a headband during an event at the Asian Championships in Seoul in October.
She returned to a hero¡¯s welcome at the airport in Tehran, where dozens of people cheered and clapped.
The athlete apologized over the incident and, in comments to state media, insisted her headscarf accidentally slipped off.
Sports has become a sensitive arena during the protests, with several prominent female athletes and male soccer players expressing their support.
Khadem¡¯s profile picture on the FIDE website shows her wearing a dark blue headscarf that does not cover all her hair.
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