How symbolic, magnificent, and beautiful.

Salute to you, Elnaz.

It is an ascent over the difficult and high cliffs of restriction—an ascent that Elnaz Rekabi undertook on behalf of the powerful, courageous, and steadfast women of Iran.

Courageous individuals in every society, by refusing to surrender themselves to ignorance and despotism, move their society toward light and consciousness.

If hijab were prohibited in a society and a woman, by her own decision, chose to undertake this path wearing hijab in opposition to a restriction on the right to choose, that act would be equally beautiful and magnificent.

Freedom of choice is as vital a human right as being human itself.

Elnaz Rekabi, as the first Iranian woman in four decades to represent Iran while choosing her own clothing freely, entered history. Could there have been a setting more symbolic and beautiful than rock climbing for such a historical moment?

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Aydin Areta