Your typical Facebook page is filled with women taking selfies--every public and private place has turned into a makeshift studio for the technologically advanced generations. Smiling faces and the latest hairstyles are displayed by women globally. However, some women's selfies show perfect makeup and beautiful headscarves instead of curls and hair dye. Unable to have their hair flowing free in the wind, my Moslema sisters express themselves in other creative ways.
An inspirational Facebook page, My Stealthy Freedom, has become a place where women in Iran have posted pictures of themselve.s Iran is a country in which most women cover their hair with a hijab, a scarf, out of religious and cultural duty. It has been the norm for centuries in almost all countries that practice Islam. In some countries it is considered illegal to be seen publicly (or by others outside of your family) without.
When My Stealthy Freedom debuted in May, 2014, it took the world by surprise. Originated by one woman who was brave enough to post her own photo on her own Facebook page, MSF became the venue for other Iranian women to express themselves. Many don't show their faces. Some include quotes.
Some believe that 2009's Green Revolution was the catalyst of such behaviors. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have all helped young Iranians spread their messages and show the story of what is actually happening in their nation. Many say that they don't put their pictures on the page for political reasons. For some, it is about choice. Regardless of each woman's motivation for her post, it seems that these women are being supported by strangers worldwide.
"We are from Syria and we heard the voice of Iranian women. women have the right to decide for themselves and make their own choices."
The page has over a half a million likes from all over the world. Some include messages from Iranian men as well.
"I owe you all an apology. I apologize to all of you who dance and laugh stealthily and whose freedom has to be stealth. I owe you all an apology for ruining even your stealth moments of freedom by my looks or wordsP.S: I know this page is not the proper place to say that I am sorry; but believe me, I could think of no other way"
This man shows support for the women. Doing so can have serious consequences.
"Dear admin,I appreciate your creativity and your beautiful idea. As a man, I would like to kindly ask you to do me a favor. Now that you have found such a great number of audience, make use of the opportunity and send a message to my nation’s men as well. A message of kindness toward Iranian women. Remind them of the fact that the women they see on streets are not only flesh and blood and the fragile sex; Remind them that they are human-beings as well. Remind them that we, the men, should be their supporters and protectors and not the reason of their stress and fear. Remind them that all those women on the streets have got enough to fear ( the morality police officers); it is not fair to treat them in a way that makes them be scared of the ordinary men too. Remind them that women need men’s support and men need women’s in order to make this nation a better place"
Some fear that these photos can be tracked down by "the moral police". In Iran, a woman can be be given 70 lashes or 60 days in prison for being without hijab in public. These fearless and brave ladies risk their freedom and their lives for something that other women take for granted. We complain about our bad hair days and how the weather will affect it. We worry about the wind and the sun and the rain touching our hair. In a not so distant nation, women look forward to the time that this can happen for them, albeit in secret.
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