A powerful portrait of Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, standing with strength and defiance, her uncovered hair blowing freely in the wind.
A powerful portrait of Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, standing with strength and defiance, her uncovered hair blowing freely in the wind.

Masih Alinejad: Iranian-American Journalist and Women's Rights Activist

Masih Alinejad is an Iranian-American journalist, author, and prominent women's rights activist known for her vocal criticism of the Iranian government and her advocacy against compulsory hijab laws in Iran.

Background and Activism

Born in 1976 in Ghomikola, Iran, Alinejad began her career as a journalist in Iran before being forced into exile in 2009 due to her political activities. She currently resides in the United States, where she continues her activism through various platforms.

Alinejad gained international recognition for founding the "My Stealthy Freedom" campaign in 2014, which encouraged Iranian women to share photos and videos of themselves without hijabs in public spaces. This movement evolved into the "White Wednesdays" campaign, where women wear white headscarves or clothing on Wednesdays to protest compulsory hijab laws.

Assassination Plots and Legal Proceedings

Alinejad has been the target of multiple assassination plots allegedly orchestrated by the Iranian government. In October 2025, two men - Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov - were each sentenced to 25 years in prison by a New York federal court for their roles in a 2022 Iran-backed assassination plot targeting Alinejad. The U.S. jury found them guilty in March on multiple charges, including attempted murder, money laundering, and conspiracy.

Prosecutors alleged that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps paid $500,000 for the failed hit. According to court documents, Alinejad was targeted by the Iranian government after she "dedicated her life to exposing the cruelty, corruption, and tyranny of the Islamic Republic."

A third man, Khalid Mehdiyev, who pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities, had surveilled Alinejad's home with weapons in his car and is awaiting sentencing. Iran has denied involvement in the plot.

In November 2024, the Human Rights Foundation condemned a third assassination plot against Alinejad, orchestrated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This plot involved individuals charged with locating, surveilling, and ultimately murdering Alinejad in exchange for large cash payments.

Impact and Legacy

Despite these threats, Alinejad has expressed determination to continue her activism, emphasizing that such attempts would not silence her or the movement she represents. Her work has brought international attention to women's rights issues in Iran and has inspired many Iranian women to challenge restrictive laws.

The legal cases against those who plotted against her are part of the U.S. Justice Department's broader effort against "transnational repression" - when foreign governments target dissidents living abroad.

Alinejad's activism continues through her social media presence, public speaking, and writing, making her one of the most prominent voices advocating for women's rights and democratic reforms in Iran.

The prompt for this was: alinejad

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