Iranian Woman Arrested For Cycling Without Veil In Front Of Mosque

A young woman has been arrested in central Iran for "insulting the Islamic hijab" after a video of hers went viral on social media.

In the video, shot on a mobile phone, an unidentified woman is seen cycling without a veil in front of a mosque. The long-haired woman appeared to raise her right arm in the air while she rode the bike.

The unedited version of the video circulating on social media also brings in a comment by a passer-by asking: “Is your shah back?”

"A person who had recently violated norms and insulted the Islamic veil in this region has been arrested," Mojataba Raei, governor of Najafabad, told IRNA news agency Tuesday.

Mojataba also said that the motive for committing this action is under investigation. However, he refused to disclose the identity of the woman. "The residents of this city are holding a protest rally today after the unprecedented violation of norms,” he added.

Meanwhile, the social media is divided with conflicting opinions. Some people consider this as a “deliberate insult” and “norm breaking” as she breaks two laws; cycling and not wearing a hijab. Many others have come out on social media appreciating her courage to fight against the misogyny.

Under Islamic law, women must wear a mandatory hijab, covering the head, neck and hair at all times. Over the past two decades many women have tried to fight against this symbol of oppression, but to no avail.