Home of Iranian climber who competed without hijab reportedly destroyed
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
The family home of 33-year-old Elnaz Rekabi has been destroyed, according to the outlet IranWire. Rekabi drew international attention after representing Iran in an international climbing competition without her headscarf, which is a violation of Iranian law.
Video footage from IranWire shows what appears to be Rekabi's home being demolished, with her brother Davood Rekabi in tears. An unidentified man recording the video can be heard saying, "This is the result of living in this country." Davood Rekabi also reportedly posted an image on social media with the caption "Where are you, justice?" The family home was located in the northwestern Iranian province of Zanjan. It is unclear whether the home was destroyed by government orders.
Rekabi has apologized for not wearing a hijab, claiming she did so accidentally; however, many were concerned her statement was made unwillingly, CNN reports. Following her return to Iran, she was reportedly placed on house arrest while many praised her for her bravery.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Iran has been experiencing revolutionary protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after allegedly violating Iran's hijab laws. Many Iranians around the world have shown their support for the protests, including Iran's World Cup team.
"Whatever [life] gives us, we accept it, whether it is grief, happiness, bitterness or poison," Rekabi's brother added in his social media post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Local elections 2026: where are they and who is expected to win?The Explainer Labour is braced for heavy losses and U-turn on postponing some council elections hasn’t helped the party’s prospects
-
6 of the world’s most accessible destinationsThe Week Recommends Experience all of Berlin, Singapore and Sydney
-
How the FCC’s ‘equal time’ rule worksIn the Spotlight The law is at the heart of the Colbert-CBS conflict
-
Witkoff and Kushner tackle Ukraine, Iran in GenevaSpeed Read Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held negotiations aimed at securing a nuclear deal with Iran and an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine
-
Pentagon spokesperson forced out as DHS’s resignsSpeed Read Senior military adviser Col. David Butler was fired by Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin is resigning
-
Judge orders Washington slavery exhibit restoredSpeed Read The Trump administration took down displays about slavery at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia
-
Hyatt chair joins growing list of Epstein files losersSpeed Read Thomas Pritzker stepped down as executive chair of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation over his ties with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
-
Judge blocks Hegseth from punishing Kelly over videoSpeed Read Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for the senator to be demoted over a video in which he reminds military officials they should refuse illegal orders
-
Trump’s EPA kills legal basis for federal climate policySpeed Read The government’s authority to regulate several planet-warming pollutants has been repealed
-
House votes to end Trump’s Canada tariffsSpeed Read Six Republicans joined with Democrats to repeal the president’s tariffs
-
Bondi, Democrats clash over Epstein in hearingSpeed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi ignored survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demanded that Democrats apologize to Trump
