The hijab stalemate
As one of the most successful women to ever play the male-dominated game of chess, Nazi Paikidze is used to having her moves watched closely.
Her latest has drawn international attention: Paikidze announced recently that she will boycott February’s Women’s World Chess Championship in Iran because the players will have to wear hijabs.
Paikidze’s decision will deprive the tournament of one of the game’s brightest stars and biggest draws — the U.S. champion who once told a magazine she would “do everything I can to help more girls get into chess.”
Islamic coverings for women in public — required in Iran and some other nations — have increasingly become a target for both protests and struggles over Muslim identity.
“Some consider a hijab part of culture,” Paikidze said in an Instagram post announcing her decision. “But, I know that a lot of Iranian women are bravely protesting this forced law daily and risking a lot by doing so. That’s why I will not wear a hijab and support women’s oppression.”
Paikidze also launched a campaign on Change.org demanding that the World Chess Federation (WCF) reconsider Iran as a host for the championship.
“This is more than one event,” the petition says, “it is a fight for women’s rights.”
But some disagree with Paikidze’s stance. Mitra Hejazipour, a woman grandmaster and the 2015 Asian continental women’s champion, said a boycott would be a setback for female sport in Iran.
“This is going to be the biggest sporting event women in Iran have ever seen; we haven’t been able to host any world championship in other sporting fields for women in the past,” Hejazipour, 23, told the Guardian. “It’s not right to call for a boycott. These games are important for women in Iran; it’s an opportunity for us to show our strength.”
According to CNN, Iran was the only country that submitted a proposal to host the event.
In a statement on its website, the WCF said: “It is not a (federation) regulation or requirement to wear a hijab during the event.” The statement says the organization does require participants to “respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend.”
The game that made Paikidze famous has deep roots in Iran, by some accounts dating back to the sixthcentury Persian empire.
In her criticism of Iran, Paikidze cited the “forced law” that made it mandatory for women to wear a hijab.
“I am not anti-Islam or any other religion. I stand for freedom of religion and choice. I’m protesting (the WCF’s) decision not because of Iran’s religion or people, but for the government’s laws that are restricting my rights as a woman. My personal experiences with Iranian people have been nothing but wonderful. One day I hope to visit Iran and see women having complete freedom and equality.”