Donya Rad

Donya Rad (Persian: دنیا راد) is an Iranian woman who gained international attention in late September 2022 during the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. She became widely known after a photo of her dining in a Tehran restaurant without a hijab went viral, an act interpreted as symbolic civil disobedience against Iran's mandatory hijab laws.^[1][2]

Donya Rad
دنیا راد

Background and viral image

On 28 September, 2022, a photograph circulated on social media showing Donya Rad and another woman seated in a teahouse in Tehran, eating breakfast without wearing headscarves. The image was quickly shared and praised, with many viewing it as a peaceful yet bold defiance amid the broader "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests that followed Amini’s death.^[1]

Arrest and detention

According to her sister, Iranian security forces summoned Rad after the photo went viral. She was reportedly arrested on 29 September 2022, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, known for its harsh conditions, under the jurisdiction of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry.^[1]

Rad’s act resonated globally as part of a wave of civil resistance. Activists drew parallels between her and historical figures like Rosa Parks, highlighting her defiance of oppressive regulations. NGOs such as ARTICLE 19 noted how her and others’ social media presence fueled solidarity and global awareness, underlining both the inspirational and dangerous nature of such acts under Iran’s moral‑policing regime.^[3]

Her arrest exemplified the Iranian government's severe response to symbolic acts challenging compulsory hijab enforcement. She was among several high profile detainees during the 2022 protests, including artists and activists, which sparked international condemnation.

See also

• Woman, Life, Freedom movement
• Mahsa Amini protests
• Evin Prison