Reactions to Afshaneh Bayegan's Hijab-Free Appearance at the House of Artists with Lion and Sun Earrings

Afshaneh Bayegan, a veteran actress of Iranian cinema and television, attended a ceremony at the House of Artists in Iran on Sunday, May 10, without wearing the mandatory hijab and adorned with earrings featuring the Lion and Sun symbol, which sparked widespread reactions on social media. Bayegan was present at the tribute to veteran director and actor Attila Pessiani. Her hijab-free images with the Lion and Sun earrings caught the attention of social media users. Yaghma Fakhshami, a journalist who has previously been arrested, tweeted a photo of Bayegan alongside Katayoun Riahi and Pantea Bahram, stating that 'the reality is that women have never lost a war throughout history.' Mina Akbari, a journalist and filmmaker, noted that Bayegan's hijab-free presence at the event was to ensure she 'does not leave her sisters alone in this struggle.' Ehsan Karami, an actor and singer who opposes the Islamic Republic, tweeted about 'the beautiful image of Ms. Afshaneh Bayegan with those Lion and Sun earrings and her free hair and clothing,' addressing the Minister of Culture, saying, 'So shut up and stop talking about preventing hijab-less artists from attending artistic gatherings. A minister whose words are not heeded is not a minister.' Pirouz Nahavandi, a Twitter user, described Bayegan's hijab-free appearance with Lion and Sun earrings at a 'formal ceremony' as 'a very big slap in the face of the government' that 'comes from the bravery of someone like her.' Ahmad Vakhshiteh, a researcher, called Bayegan's action 'courage,' 'bravery,' and 'great virtue' that 'brings about the greatest changes.' However, some pro-Islamic Republic users shared a picture of Bayegan without a hijab alongside an image of her wearing a chador during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, criticizing her. Fatemeh Shayestekho, a Twitter user, responded to these criticisms by referencing Bayegan's status as a 'Shayesteh girl' during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, stating that most negative reactions were directed at the actress's earrings, causing supporters of the Islamic Republic to 'forget in their anger about Katayoun Riahi, Golab Adineh, and Maryam Bobani.' Since the beginning of nationwide protests with the central slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom,' civil disobedience among women and their hijab-free presence in public places has increased. They consider freedom to be 'a daily practice.' Journalist Roya Karimi Majd previously told Voice of America that the continued presence of hijab-less women in the streets will gradually become a normal trend.