The Judiciary of the Islamic Republic has announced legal proceedings against Parastoo Ahmadi and others involved in producing an online musical performance.
Ahmadi, a singer, held a virtual concert on her YouTube channel on Wednesday, featuring a small group of musicians playing instruments as she sang.
Ahmadi wrote: “I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I like. This is a right I could not ignore - singing for the land I passionately love. Here, in this part of our dear Iran, where history and our legends intertwine, listen to my voice.”
Iranians on social media have praised Ahmadi for her defiance, as singing is forbidden for women under the Islamic Republic’s law.
“I’m proud of her,” one user wrote on X. “Parastoo Ahmadi held a concert in Iran without a hijab. Her courage and this act will be remembered in history.”
Another user shared: “I watched this video and cried with all my heart. For 45 years, women have been fighting despite gender apartheid in Iran, struggling for their most basic rights. For 45 years, a woman’s voice, body, and existence have been banned in Iran.”
According to the Mizan news agency, the Judiciary declared the performance “illegal, lacking legal permits, and not adhering to the country’s legal and cultural standards.”
A legal case has been opened against Ahmadi and those involved in the concert’s production.
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