Minister of Culture Defends Regulated Concerts

While some officials of the Islamic Republic, including several Friday prayer leaders, have expressed their opposition to concerts, even those that have received permits from the Ministry of Culture, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance has recently defended the holding of licensed concerts. Ali Jannati stated at the closing ceremony of the 31st Fajr Music Festival that music, with its diverse capacities, can serve as one of the best tools in the field of diplomacy and expressed regret that this point has been overlooked in some periods. He also announced the Ministry's commitment to support what he termed 'noble music.' According to ISNA news agency, Ali Jannati differentiated between 'extremist biases' and 'permissible matters,' stating that music can act as one of the best tools in diplomacy. He expressed hope that the art of music could find its rightful place. At the end of the 31st Fajr Music Festival, Jannati said that instead of disrupting and canceling concerts, efforts should be made to promote what he called 'Iranian-Islamic art.' The Minister criticized the cancellation of some concerts despite having the necessary permits in recent months, stating that some individuals are trying to label this issue as something contrary to Islamic law. Jannati asked, 'What could be more beautiful than culture to encourage human reasoning? A culture of which music is also a part.' Ali Asghar Ramazani Pour, Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance during Mohammad Khatami's administration, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that the Minister's remarks are somewhat an admission of his failure in defending music against attacks on it.