From fear to heroism  

Iranian students reflect on the revolution and the courage of their people  By Darren McAlmont University Relations WARNING: The following story contains discussion of the violent treatment experienced by women in Iran. Reader caution is advised. On September 16, 2022, news broke that Jina Mahsa Amini - a 22-year-old Kurdish woman - died while in custody of Iranian "morality police" after she was arrested for "improperly" wearing her hijab, a violation of the country's strict dress code for women. While in custody, it is reported that she was beaten into a coma and succumbed to the blows to her head. The brutal acts against Amini by Iran's morality police have ignited what many Iranians are calling "the revolution."  Over the past year, women have defiantly ripped the hijabs off their heads and have cut their hair in protest to the totalitarian regime. But Iranian women have not been alone in this fight - the Iranian men, queer and trans folks have also been on the front line of the revolution, standing in solidarity with the country's women who have been conditioned to live in fear and subjugation of the government and their male counterparts. This solidarity, and fear, extends to many students and employees of the University of Waterloo.