Toronto Candle light vigil for blue girl
Today I remember Sahar Khodayari (Blue Girl) who died last year after setting
herself on fire. Her “crime” was that she disguised herself as a man to sneak into a
soccer stadium to watch her favourite soccer team Esteghlal of Tehran
which wears the colour blue. Sahar was arrested and detained for several days before
she was released on bail. She was charged with committing a sinful act by
appearing in public without a hijab. Sahar later set herself on fire in front
of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran in protest of a possible sentence
of six months.
Sahar’s tragic death is a horrible reminder that women
and girls in Iran face gender discrimination and abuse in so many ways.
I cannot tell my own daughters the story of the Blue
Girl because it is too frightening. Fortunately, my daughters are now living in
Canada which protects women’s human rights and freedoms. They have a promising
future and equal opportunities in Canada.
I attended a memorial for Sahar in Canada
because Sahar is a freedom fighter and a hero for all those who want equality
and human rights in Iran. I really hope
that her tragic death will not be in vain.
