Overview:
On September 16, 2025, the world remembers Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman whose death in police custody sparked global outrage and one of the largest protest movements against Iran’s regime. Her story continues to resonate, fueling the struggle for women’s rights and freedom across the world.
Who Was Mahsa Amini?
Mahsa Amini, born Jina Amini, was a Kurdish woman whose given name meant “life.” Due to restrictions on Kurdish names after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, her family was forced to register her official name as Mahsa. At home, however, she was lovingly called Jina.
Her mother later recalled:
“I named her ‘Jina,’ which means new life, but they told me she might face harassment at school and university because of that name, so we chose ‘Mahsa,’ meaning beauty of the moon. We called her Jina at home, while ‘Mahsa’ remained in the records.”
Amini dreamed of studying microbiology. In September 2022, while visiting Tehran with her family before starting her studies, her life was tragically cut short.
The Arrest and Death That Sparked a Movement
On September 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini was detained by Iran’s Guidance Patrol, also known as the morality police, for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly.” Eyewitnesses reported that she was severely beaten in custody, collapsing within 26 minutes of detention. She was later transferred to a hospital, where she died on September 16.
Iranian officials denied wrongdoing, attributing her death to pre-existing medical conditions. However, a UN fact-finding mission later concluded that her death was caused by physical violence while in custody, contradicting the government’s narrative.
A Catalyst for Protests in Iran and Beyond
Amini’s death triggered one of the largest protest waves in Iran since the 2009 Green Movement. Demonstrations spread nationwide and around the globe, with people rallying under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
Her story resonated far beyond Iran’s borders, symbolizing resistance against systemic oppression and inspiring solidarity protests worldwide.
Even after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, many Iranian women celebrated online, linking their relief to his role in the violent crackdown on women’s rights during Amini’s case.
Legacy and Policy Change
Today, Mahsa Amini’s legacy endures. Iran’s current President Masoud Pezeshkian recently announced that his administration will not enforce a new law mandating hijab wear. He warned that such enforcement could lead to “war in society,” a significant shift influenced by the protests sparked by Amini’s death.
As the world marks the third anniversary of her passing, Mahsa Amini remains more than a victim—she is a symbol of defiance, resilience, and the unyielding demand for women’s freedom in Iran.
Sources
- Iran’s president says hijab law might have led to ‘war’ in society (MSN)
- Iran’s protests have been crushed, but Mahsa Amini’s death is still felt a year later around the world (NBC)
- Large-scale protests in Iran following death of Mahsa Amini (Asbury Collegian)
- Iranian women celebrate death of President Ebrahim Raisi (NY Post)
- BBC – Mahsa Amini: Iran responsible for ‘physical violence’ leading to death, UN says
- The Politics of Iran’s Forbidden Names (Persian Heritage)
- Mahsa Amini’s Mother Speaks Out (Waradana)
