Iran's Minister of Culture Responds to Ejei: Concert Cancellations Are Not Security-Related

Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance has stated that the ministry does not issue permits for 'pop' concerts in certain cities and does not consider the cancellation of some concerts to be for 'security' reasons. Ali Jannati made these remarks on Wednesday, June 16, in an interview with the 'Moj' news agency, responding to comments made by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesperson for the judiciary, regarding the reasons for the cancellation of some concert permits. Mohseni Ejei had said on June 13 that the cancellation of some concert permits was aimed at preventing 'criminal issues, violations of the law, anti-security or anti-public order' incidents. He added that the judiciary would only allow concerts to be held if 'those involved commit to ensuring no violations occur during these concerts.' In response, the Minister of Culture pointed to the cancellation of concerts by Kayhan Kalhor and Shahram Nazeri by the judiciary and questioned whether playing the 'kamancheh' is a crime. The Nishapur judiciary has canceled Shahram Nazeri's concert twice and Kayhan Kalhor's concert once, which has faced significant protests and criticisms. The Minister of Culture criticized the increasing number of canceled concerts in Khorasan province, stating that the province has a 'special situation.' Jannati also mentioned that the ministry has committed to acting with 'high sensitivity' in issuing concert permits in cities. The sensitivity of the ministry has reached a point where Jannati explicitly stated that permits for 'pop' concerts would not be issued in certain towns. He also rejected Mohseni Ejei's claim that nine out of 300 permitted concerts have been canceled this year, stating that 'the number of canceled concerts is higher than this figure.' Jannati emphasized that the cancellation of these concert permits also did not have 'security' reasons. He stated, 'There should be a reconsideration in dealing with concert performances, and permits should be granted for concerts that have the Ministry of Culture's approval.' On June 5, the Minister of Culture had referred to the judiciary's interference as the 'main obstacle' to holding some concerts and mentioned correspondence with officials of this institution to implement permitted concerts. Disputes between the government and the judiciary over concert performances in various cities have increased in recent months. In April of this year, a concert by traditional musician Ali Zand Vakili in Shandiz, Mashhad, was canceled, which was met with protests from the government spokesperson and the House of Music of Iran. In recent years, following the opposition of Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, to concerts in this city, several concerts in Mashhad and other cities in Khorasan Razavi province have been canceled. Alireza Rashidian, the governor of Khorasan Razavi, also requested on Tuesday, June 17, that the judiciary clarify any potential ban on concerts in this province so that 'everyone knows their responsibilities.'