In Iran, where women are not allowed to dance in public or be seen without their hair covered by a hijab, five teenage girls have made headlines for dancing in a video. The girls were dancing to the song “Calm Down” by Selena Gomez and Rema, without covering their heads.
After the video went viral, the girls were arrested by Iranian police two days later. However, this action has received widespread support from women around the world, who have shown their solidarity by posting their own pictures and videos dancing to the same song without covering their heads.
Despite the girls’ apologies in another video, which they say was forced by the authorities, their action has inspired many women in Iran to protest against the strict restrictions placed on them. The protests have included burning hijabs and cutting hair, and have been sparked by the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini, who was detained by the Iranian morality police for not wearing her headscarf properly. Her parents accuse the police of having killed her.
Although the situation in Iran may seem bleak, it is heartening to see that the girls’ action has inspired so many women around the world to speak out against these injustices. As American singer Selena Gomez said on Instagram, “Please know that your strength is inspiring.”