Iran teenager Maedeh Hojabri, who was arrested after posting videos of herself dancing to Instagram, has inspired a new movement on social media as dozens of users share videos and messages in support of the detained girl.
The 18-year-old gymnast has garnered thousands of followers after posting around 300 videos to her Instagram account, many showing her dancing to Iranian and western pop music, at times without wearing the compulsory Islamic headscarf.
The Iranian government has strict rules regarding women’s clothing and dancing. Authorities cracked down on Hojabri and three other individuals in recent weeks on similar charges.
On Friday, the teen apologized on state television for the videos, stating it was not her intention to go against “moral norms,” Newsweek reported.
In response to the ordeal, women in Iran are banding together to show their support to Hojabri by posting videos and images online of themselves dancing.
“If you tell people anywhere in the world that 17 and 18-year-old girls are arrested for their dance, happiness and beauty on charges of spreading indecency, while child rapists and others are free, they will laugh! Because for them, it's unbelievable!” wrote blogger Hossein Ronaghi.
Activist and journalist Masih Alinejad also spoke out against the arrests.
Iranian authorities are targeting similar accounts on Instagram as part of a mass shutdown, with the judiciary considering blocking access to the site.
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