Ministry of Culture Spokesman: Restrictions Imposed on Shajarian's Concerts

Hosseyn Nouh-Abadi, spokesman and parliamentary deputy of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran, has emphasized that Mohammad-Reza Shajarian is facing "legal restrictions" for holding his concerts. According to this government official, these restrictions have been imposed by other entities and are not related to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In an interview with the Arman newspaper published on April 15, he stated, "Some individuals have legal restrictions for performing concerts, and we issue permits based on those regulations, part of which includes this issue... the prohibition of individuals is not related to the Ministry of Guidance." Nouh-Abadi had previously referred to the restrictions concerning Mohammad-Reza Shajarian. Last February, while explaining his remarks about the "necessity for Shajarian to apologize," he said that his presence in the art scene is welcomed, and the problem of this artist is related not to the Ministry of Guidance but to other entities. He did not mention the names of the institutions, organizations, or individuals that imposed these restrictions at that time or in his recent interview with Arman. Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, a famous Iranian singer, released a song titled "Language of Fire" following the 2009 elections, which protesters used to create clips during widespread protests in Iran. Nouh-Abadi did not provide an explanation regarding the reasons for these restrictions in his interview. In another part of his conversation with Arman, the parliamentary deputy of the Ministry of Guidance referred to the issue of concert cancellations in Iran. In response to a question about the cancellation of nearly 20 concerts over the past year, Nouh-Abadi stated that the Ministry of Guidance opposes the shutdown, cancellation, and actions taken against authorized concerts. He expressed hope that this situation would change in the new solar year. He called for those who act "unilaterally" in this matter to be "prosecuted." At the same time, he added that all officials should strive to not be "under pressure" in these matters. This government official had previously stated that the Ministry of Guidance is unable to resist the actions of "officials" in canceling concerts that face "controversy."