Muslim women have posted videos on social media showing them removing their headscarves and cutting their hair in protest against Iran’s strict hijab rules. Last week 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after she was arrested by the 'morality police' in Tehran last week for reportedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.
According to police Ms Amini died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, however her family are doubtful of the account and her death has led to widespread protests, as well as condemnation from Western countries and the United Nations.
Hundreds of people across Iran have taken to the streets following Ms Amini’s death in a public outpouring of anger. During protests, women waved their hijab head coverings in the air while chanting “Freedom.”
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Muslim women across the world have now taken to TikTok to show videos of them removing their hijab - a religious head covering - and cutting their hair, in solidarity with the protesters. Similarly women attending protests in Turkey and Germany have cut their hair.
Since September 17 violent protests have erupted in Iran following Ms Amini's funeral. According to a tally by The Associated Press, there have been at least 11 deaths from both sides since protests began. Iranian state TV suggested on Saturday that 41 protesters and police have been killed.
On Sunday, September 25, pro-government rallies were held in several cities across Iran. Thousands attended a rally in the capital’s Enghelab, or Revolution Square, waving Iranian flags.
In London protestors clashed with police outside the Iranian embassy on Sunday afternoon chanting “Death to the Islamic Republic”. Scotland Yard said several officers were hurt during the protest, five of whom are in hospital with serious injuries including broken bones. Meanwhile, 12 people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
A section 35 dispersal order for 48 hours was put in place by the area impacted by the disorder.
It comes as Britain's ambassador to Iran, Simon Shercliff, has been summoned by Iran’s foreign Ministry over what it described as a hostile atmosphere created by London-based Farsi language media outlets.
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