The Spanish Minister of Justice announced on Tuesday that an Iranian chess player who participated in an international competition without wearing a hijab has been given Spanish citizenship.
In December 2022, Sara Khadem, also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, participated in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
According to Reuters, who interviewed Khadem in February, she was photographed not wearing a hijab, despite the fact that this is mandatory in Iran. This led to the issuance of an arrest warrant against her in her home country.
Ever since, she has resided in Spain.
Khadem was one of many athletes who have participated in sporting events since Mahsa Amini’s death-related anti-government demonstrations began in September of last year.
The 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman died in mid-September after being detained by the nation’s morality police for violating the country’s conservative dress code. Her death sparked outrage over a number of complaints about the regime.
Khadem’s situation had “exceptional circumstances,” according to Spain’s Minister of Justice, Pilar Llop, who also declared that the country’s Council of Ministers had granted her “Spanish nationality through a naturalization letter.”
The chess player met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in January, who said that he was “inspired” by Khadem.
“How much I have learned today from a woman who inspires me, the Women’s Chess Grandmaster Sara Khadem,” Sánchez tweeted. “All my support to women athletes. Your example contributes to a better world.”
Source-CNN
