Iran arrests marathon organisers after females run without hijab

Iranian authorities have arrested two organisers of a marathon after several women participated without wearing headscarves, according to international media reports.

In Iran, it is mandatory for women to cover their heads in public places.

According to foreign media reports, two organizers have been arrested for women participating in the marathon without hijab.

The action came after pictures of a marathon held on Friday in Kish Island, off the coast of southern Iran, started circulating on social media, in which several females were seen participating in the race without the hijab.

As many as two thousand women and three thousand men participated separately in this marathon.

According to the report, many females wearing red shirts were seen without hijab participating in the marathon, while many did not even cover their heads, which drew strong reactions from various circles in Iran.

Pro-change Iranians hailed the images as a bold step against government restrictions on women, while government officials called it a violation of rules and a challenge to the existing system.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Judiciary ordered action against the organizers after taking notice of the marathon. 

According to officials, not only is the violation of the hijab law by some women objectionable, but there are also serious concerns as to why this marathon was organized.