The Impact of Mahsa Amini’s Death

 by Nabihah Choudhury

On the 16th September, an Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini died in hospital after being arrested and beaten by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely. The police, however, denied these allegations and said she died due to heart failure.

Iran enforces a strict law that states that all women should wear a hijab and if they fail to comply, the consequences may include imprisonment and/or a fine. Some may say that Amini’s death is becoming a ‘tipping point’. This violation of women’s rights has sparked outrage and protests across Iran, rightfully so. 

Iranian women have been taking off their hijabs and taking over the streets to protest against the hijab law. Schoolgirls were also taking part and in Karaj, some girls were seen chasing away an education official from their school, while shouting “shame on you”. In Shiraz, many schoolgirls blocked a main road while waving their hijabs and shouting “death to the dictator”. It is clear that Amini’s murder has deeply affected women across Iran and many are tired of it. Additionally, some students were in classrooms without a hijab and raising their middle fingers at pictures of Ayatollah Khamenei and the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini:

Mahsa Amini’s death has reached audiences across the world and all over social media. Many women have expressed their thoughts online, especially through TikTok, where many users (who don’t wear hijab) have been cutting their hair and spreading awareness. Unfortunately, this incident has given some people an excuse to criticise hijabi women. On social media, some users have been attacking hijabi influencers by telling them to take off their hijab and that they are ‘encouraging’ forced hijab, when this is not the case as all women should have the right to wear what they want. 

It is great to see that people are using their voice to speak up about this violation of women’s rights. However, many have been expressing their opinions and have criticised the fact that people haven’t given equal attention to France trying to oppress Muslim women. In contrast, French Muslims are fighting for the right to wear niqaab and freely practice Islam. In the west, many have the misconception that wearing hijab and practicing modesty demonstrates oppression of women and that showing skin means empowerment. Instead, we should advocate for women being able to wear what they want and express themselves in the way that makes them feel comfortable. Individuality and choice without fearing for their lives.