The Iranian Music House has condemned the recent arrests of artists, the cancellation of concerts, and the prolonged process of obtaining performance permits.
The organization called on the government to address musicians' concerns, particularly the ongoing restrictions on female artists.
The board of directors highlighted the arrest of singer Parastoo Ahmadi and her two accompanying musicians for a virtual concert.
Ahmadi had performed music at an Iranian caravanserai without wearing a hijab, an act that gained widespread public praise. Following a judicial complaint, the three artists were arrested on Saturday and released early Sunday morning.
The House of Music also condemned the cancellation of the "Naghsh" music group’s concert in Isfahan, which was called off due to the inclusion of a female musician, and the imprisonment of Khashayar Sefidi, an expelled student.
Sefidi, who was expelled from the Tehran University of Art, was sentenced to one year in prison for protesting the death sentence issued to rapper Toomaj Salehi. His sentence began on November 16
The "Naghsh" group's concert, led by Amir Sharifi, was scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Isfahan. Despite obtaining all necessary permits and selling tickets, authorities intervened just one day before the performance.
The Music House also criticized the “unreasonably long and unnecessary” process of obtaining performance permits, saying that with the widespread use of social media and easy access to artistic productions, the bureaucratic delay only wastes time and harasses artists.
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