n Iranian chess participant who competed in a world match with out a hijab has been granted Spanish citizenship.

Sara Khadem, also called Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, drew the ire of the Iranian Government after she was pictured on the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Kazakhstan final December with out a hijab.

Iranian officers subsequently issued an arrest warrant for her.

She moved to Spain in January, the place she has remained since.

The headband is obligatory beneath Iran’s strict Islamic costume code. Iranian feminine athletes are additionally required to abide by the code when representing the nation at worldwide occasions.

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Laws implementing obligatory hijab-wearing triggered widespread unrest in Iran when a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish girl, Mahsa Amini, died within the custody of the morality police in September final yr.

Khadem met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in January.

“How much I have learned today from a woman who inspires me, the Women’s Chess Grandmaster Sara Khadem,” Sánchez tweeted after their assembly.

“All my support to women athletes. Your example contributes to a better world.”

Spain’s Justice Minister Pilar LLop granted Khadem citizenship on the premise of “exceptional circumstances”.

Speaking to Reuters in January, Khadem stated she had no regrets over her gesture in assist of the protest motion in opposition to her nation’s management.

Removing the hijab was “something that I thought was right to do and I don't regret anything”, she stated, including that she solely used to put on the headband at tournaments when there have been cameras, and that many Iranian sportswomen felt the identical manner.

“But it (no hijab) has become one of the symbols of the movement in Iran and I also decided to finally do something that I wanted to, to be myself...I was motivated by the people of Iran.”

Khadem is ranked 771st on the planet, in accordance with the International Chess Federation’s web site.