Minister of Culture: We Will Not Allow Local Interference with Music

The Minister of Culture of Hassan Rouhani's government criticized the 'destruction' of the eleventh government, stating that this government will not allow 'local laws to interfere with music.' ILNA news agency reported on Friday, February 17, that Reza Salehi Amiri announced in a press conference in Yasuj that the government welcomes 'constructive criticism but considers destruction to be an unethical act.' Mr. Salehi Amiri stated that the aim of 'destruction' is 'revenge' and to portray the government's 'services' as 'ineffective,' adding that the government believes these 'destructions are an inhumane approach.' He further stated, 'Anyone who sows the seeds of despair and hopelessness in the hearts of the people has certainly betrayed the nation's ideals' and 'destroys the system.' In another part of his press conference, the Minister of Culture referred to the issue of holding concerts, stating that 'no one, anywhere in the country, can prevent music performances by enforcing local laws.' He added, 'The government's basis in the discussion of music is religious and legal, and the Ministry of Culture will confront any local interference in this regard.' Mr. Salehi Amiri, without mentioning any individual or group, added that 'the issue of music is a game played by some politicians in the Ministry of Culture.' Opposition to holding music concerts in various cities of Iran by a group of clerics during Hassan Rouhani's presidency has so far led to the cancellation of dozens of music programs. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Rouhani's government has also responded to these oppositions by halting concerts in some cities, including Mashhad. The judiciary, the police's places of business department in Tehran, and the security council in counties are among the effective institutions mentioned in the cancellation of concerts that the Ministry of Culture had permitted. Last year, several concerts in various cities of Iran were canceled despite permits issued by the cultural offices of these cities due to the intervention and pressure from these institutions. Friday prayer leaders in some cities of Iran have also recently called for the cancellation of concerts in their cities, in line with Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad. On January 17 of this year, a group of clerics and Basij members from the seminary in Bandar Abbas wrote a letter to the authorities of Hormozgan province, requesting the cancellation of concerts in this city. This group of clerics and Basij forces wrote that they are opposed to the repeated holding of concerts and public entertainment events and demand the 'abolition of such events.' In this context, the request to cancel the music concert in Bandar Abbas was made by a number of clerics. The head of the cultural office in Markazi province announced that it was decided that no concerts would be held in Arak for now. Alamolhoda stated that any movement promoting religious values is attributed to the federalization of Mashhad. Jahangiri urged the judiciary and Friday prayer leaders to respect the decisions of the Ministry of Culture. Ali Motahari remarked that perhaps Imam Reza himself would attend a concert.