Iranian authorities have launched a criminal case against the organizers of a marathon on Kish Island after several women participated without wearing the mandatory hijab. The event, which took place on December 5, 2025, drew over 5,000 participants, with some women runners not adhering to the country’s strict dress code. The local prosecutor has filed a case against the event organizers, citing violations of public decency and Islamic laws.
This incident has sparked controversy, with some lawmakers accusing the judiciary of failing to uphold the hijab law. Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has called for stricter enforcement of the dress code. The Iranian government has been criticized for its strict laws regarding women’s attire, with many women facing punishment for not wearing the hijab in public.
The Kish Island marathon incident is the latest example of the ongoing tensions between Iranian authorities and women’s rights activists, who have been pushing for greater freedom and equality. In 2022, protests erupted across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab bylaw.
