It is just over a year since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being accused by Iran’s morality police of not wearing her hijab properly.

The student from Kurdistan was coming out of a metro station in Tehran with family members when she was arrested by ‘guidance patrols’ for alleged non-compliance with the country’s mandatory dress code.

Her veil was worn too loosely for the officers’ liking, and a few strands of her hair were visible to passing crowds.

Mahsa was put in a van and taken to a ‘re-education centre’ where women are taught how to dress properly. While there she collapsed and was taken to hospital, where she later died.

Iranian authorities blamed a heart attack, but her parents said she may have been beaten to death.

The frightening incident sparked waves of protests across Iran and women took to the streets, burning headscarves and chanting ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’, and thousands were arrested.

In continued protest, Gen Z women are now dying their hair bright colours in defiance of the rules, despite the potentially devastating consequences.

Photographer Shiva Khademi has published a book about these young women, known as ‘the Smarties’ about how they are using art, culture and forbidden fashion shows in protest to the oppressive regime.

Shiva writes in  ‘Woman Life Freedom’: ‘While I have never coloured my own hair, I was amazed by the bravery of these young women, and I wanted to find out more. I was struck by the fact these women did not cover their hair, despite it being compulsory in Iran.’

Woman Life Freedom; Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran, edited by Malu Halasa is available from Saqi Books.

Snapshot

Welcome to Snapshot, Metro.co.uk’s picture-led series bringing you the most powerful images and stories of the moment.

If you have a photo collection you would like to share, get in touch by emailing [email protected] 

Source: Read Full Article