Faezeh Hashemi Biography: From Olympic Committee Presidency to Political Activities and Challenges

Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani is one of the most controversial, outspoken, and well-known female political figures in contemporary Iranian history. As the daughter of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, she not only refused to stay in her father's shadow but also carved out an independent and turbulent path for herself by entering the fields of sports management, journalism, and high-level politics.

Childhood, education and family background

Faezeh Hashemi was born in Tehran. She is the third child of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Effat Marashi. Growing up in a family where the father was one of the main pillars of the 1979 Revolution and state management exposed her to political discourse and decision-making from her early youth.

University education and expertise

Unlike the traditional atmosphere of the religious-political families of that time, Faezeh Hashemi pursued higher education in various fields:

• Bachelor of English

• Bachelor of Laws from Islamic Azad University

• Master's degree in international law

• PhD in Human Rights Law from the Science and Research Unit of Azad University

His educational diversity in legal fields later formed the theoretical foundations of his positions in defense of women's rights and criticism of some legal structures.

Entering the field of sports management and establishing the Islamic Women's Sports Federation

One of the brightest and rarest periods of Fazeh Hashemi's activity is her presence in the field of Iranian women's sports in the late 1960s and 1970s;  An era when women's sports were practically marginalized due to ideological restrictions.

Launching women's games in Islamic countries

In 1990, she founded the Islamic Federation of Women's Sports and assumed its presidency. The primary goal of this federation was to create a platform for professional sports for Muslim women while maintaining Islamic dress codes. She succeeded in hosting four editions of the "Women's Islamic Games" in Iran. This initiative brought about a major transformation, breaking Iranian women's sports out of isolation and facilitating their entry into international arenas, though it constantly faced fierce opposition from traditional conservative factions and religious extremists.

**The *Zan* Newspaper and a Revolution in Iranian Press**

On the cusp of the 2nd of Khordad era and the opening of the political landscape, Faezeh Hashemi published Iran's first dedicated women's daily, ***Zan* (Woman) Newspaper**, in August 1998.

Positions of Zan newspaper and the reason for its suspension

This newspaper dealt with the legal and social investigation of women, criticizing the laws of divorce, dowry and compulsory hijab.  Due to the coverage of news related to feminists, the publication of Farah Pahlavi's New Year greetings, and the publication of cartoons challenging women's rights, Zan newspaper was first temporarily suspended in and then permanently closed.  Although this publication had a short life, it founded a new movement in the Iranian press.

Entering the Fifth Parliament; the peak of political popularity

Faezeh Hashemi entered the electoral race for the fifth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (1996) as a candidate for the Executives of Construction Party. Relying on modern slogans, advocacy for women's rights, social freedoms, and the promotion of women's cycling, she managed to enter parliament with a remarkably high vote count, securing the second-highest position in Tehran after Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri. Her tenure in parliament was marked by fiery speeches and a strong defense of developing sports and cultural infrastructure for women. However, she failed to secure enough votes to re-enter parliament in the sixth legislative elections.

Post-2009 Stances, Arrests, and Imprisonment

The turning point in the transformation of Faezeh Hashemi's political stances was the 2009 presidential election. She publicly supported Mir-Hossein Mousavi and took part in the post-election street protests.

Arrest and Conviction in 2011/2012

Due to her sharp interviews with international media and her use of expressions such as "the country being run by thugs and hooligans," she was sentenced in late 2011/early 2012 to six months in prison and a five-year ban on political, cultural, and press activities on charges of "propaganda activities against the regime." She served her prison sentence in Evin Prison.

Controversial Stances Following Her Father's Death and Re-arrest in 2022

Following the death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in 2017, Faezeh Hashemi's outspokenness did not diminish; rather, it grew more intense. In candid remarks, she criticized the regime's macrostructures, Iran's regional policies, and even her father's actions during the 1980s. Amidst the 2022 protests (following the death of Mahsa Amini), Faezeh Hashemi was arrested on charges of "inciting rioters" and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Destructive views and thoughts

Faezeh Hashemi cannot be defined in terms of traditional reformism.  His views have unique features:

• Criticism of mandatory hijab: Despite the fact that he always uses a veil, he has repeatedly expressed his clear opposition to mandatory hijab.

• Meeting with Bahá'ís: His meeting with Fariba Kamalabadi (one of the leaders of the Bahá'í community in Iran) after his release from prison created a huge controversy that even faced a negative reaction from his father, but he defended his action.

• Donald Trump's wish for victory: In an interview, he announced that he would have preferred Trump to vote again in order to pressurize the change of Iran's policies;  A position that was faced with the strong acquittal of his brother, Mohsen Hashemi.

summary

Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani is a paradoxical figure;  On the one hand, he is the son of one of the main architects of the Islamic Republic system, and on the other hand, he has become one of the structural critics and prisoners of the same system.  Her track record in developing women's sports and breaking taboos in the press is undeniable.  He has paid a heavy price for his outspoken statements and has shown that he prefers to preserve his personal positions over family and party expediencies.

Frequently asked questions 

1. What was the reason for Faezeh Hashemi's arrest in 2022? She was arrested in October 2022 on charges of participating in protests, inciting riots, and engaging in propaganda activities against national security, and was subsequently sentenced to 5 years in prison.
2. What was Faezeh Hashemi's role in Iranian women's sports? She was the founder of the Islamic Federation of Women's Sports and the creator of the Women's Islamic Games, playing a significant role in lifting Iranian women's sports out of its post-revolution stagnation.
3. For what reason was *Zan* Newspaper banned? The newspaper was permanently banned in April 1999 due to publishing feminist stances, printing a New Year message from Farah Pahlavi, and publishing a cartoon regarding women's blood money (diya).