Opinion – Elnaz Rekabi deserves her status as Iranian hero

Despite claims that her missing hijab was an accident, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has been greeted by fervent crowds after competing in an international tournament. 

After she competed at an international climbing tournament without her hijab, concerns were mounting for missing climber Elnaz Rekabi.

Those close to Rekabi said they had been unable to make contact with her after her appearance at the climbing competition in South Korea, where the absence of her headscarf went viral on social media.

Reports suggested Rekabi had been immediately chaperoned back to Iran along with her team. On Tuesday morning, a story was posted to Rekabi’s Instagram account, where she supposedly claimed the missing hijab had been an accident.

‘I firstly apologise for all the concerns I have caused’ read the statement, which many believed was coerced from Iranian officials.

‘I am currently on my way back to Iran alongside the team based on the pre-scheduled timetable’ the statement continued, with Rekabi claiming that her hijab was forgotten in the sudden rush to begin climbing.

After reports came in from ‘well-informed sources’ saying Rekabi’s passport and phone had been confiscated before boarding her flight to Tehran, the public grew increasingly worried that the climber had been punished by the Iranian government.

Protests over the hijab in Iran have mounted since the death of Mahsa Amini in September. Amini had been arrested by the country’s so-called ‘morality police’ for incorrectly wearing her hijab, and died in their custody.

Despite Rekabi’s claims that her lack of headscarf was meaningless, Iranian protesters have labelled her a hero.

Back in her home country, the public continue to deem Rekabi’s omission a tactic, proving her support of the movement.

Elnaz finally arrived – seemingly safe – at Tehran airport on Wednesday. Crowds greeted her with ardent support, cries of ‘heroine’ could be heard from amongst the onlookers, who handed Rekabi bunches of flowers.

The climber had covered her hair with a black baseball cap and hoodie, and in an interview with local press she repeated her reasoning for not wearing a hijab at the South Korean championships.

‘I was suddenly and unexpectedly called on to compete while I was at the women’s locker room’ Rekabi told the reporter.