Legal News: The Hijab law of Iran has triggered skepticism among players before the commencement of the World Chess Championship

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Legal News: The Hijab law of Iran has triggered skepticism among players before the commencement of the World Chess Championship
Legal News: The Hijab law of Iran has triggered skepticism among players before the commencement of the World Chess Championship

The Hijab law of Iran has triggered skepticism among players before the commencement of the World Chess Championship

Iran was chosen as the host country last week during the FIDE Congress.

Iran is going to host an international women’s event – the World Chess Championship in February next year. Though, the event is four months away, it has created skepticism, outrage and plain amusement over Iran’s insisting all women, including visitors also to wear hijab in public failure of which will result in a fine or imprisonment.

US champion Nazi Paikidze stepped out the very next day when Iran was awarded the championship. The highest ranked American, Paikidze, said she would “rather risk her career than be forced to wear a hijab.” Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, who will compete in the championship expressed her uncomfortability during a Grand Prix in Iran earlier this year.

According to the world governing body, Iran was chosen     as the host country during the FIDE Congress in Baku last week after no other country bid to host the event. England Grandmaster Nigel Short said, if you are visiting the country as a tourist, it is understandable to wear headscarves, but at the same time it is illegal to make the sports persons wear it during a competition. “The International Olympic Committee code and FIDE statutes are very much clear about not allowing discrimination on sexual and religious matters. The mandatory wearing of hijab exposes this”, said Nigel. “People from different background like Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, atheists will be there. Compelling themselves to cover in such a way is not the right conduct in such an international sporting event.” The problems lie beyond the cultural issues for the players. Humpy, who had taken part in the Grand Prix held in Iran earlier this year, said, the atmosphere became different and there were distractions too when her scarf fell during a game. “ I was very uncomfortable during the starting round. During one of the games, my scarf came off and arbiter came and told me to wear it properly,” she said. “The atmosphere due to all these distractions became different from the general atmosphere at other events. It’s up to the players whether they want to go or not.”

 

More Challenges

  • She further added that the strict code is one more thing which took some time to get used to, especially for the players from the western countries. “You are required to be covered till at least knee length. We are used to it, but for those from the west, it was an issue,” said Humpy.
  • Coaches of most of the girls are men. So, they are not allowed to be in the same room, even to analyze their games.

 

According to a statement published on chess website, Chess Daily News, FIDE has given assurance that they are reviewing all possible solutions. They said, “there have been no official complaints to FIDE from any player who is eligible to participate in the Women’s World Championship 2017.” In spite of all this, FIDE is reviewing all possible solutions for the players’ comfort and are going to discuss all the issues with the organizers of Iran very soon.”

The demand of moving the championship is growing. But FIDE has stuck to its stand. One option recommended by Short is, “they could theoretically play in a room with only female arbiters, female officials, no photographs and the world championship is played there.” But that is not going to happen, so the event is most likely to move to another country.”

 

 

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