Praise for Parastoo Ahmadi's 'Courage' by Users; Legal Case Formed

While users have praised Parastoo Ahmadi's courage, likening her to an 'unquenchable sun', the judiciary of the Islamic Republic announced that a legal case has been formed against her and those involved in a 'hypothetical concert in a caravanserai'. The government-affiliated news agency Mizan reported on Thursday, December 13, that following the publication of images titled 'hypothetical concert in a caravanserai' shared on social media, where a group is seen performing music with a female singer without adhering to legal and religious standards, a legal case was initiated. The judiciary has formed a case against this young female singer while social media users have praised her courage and voice; for instance, journalist Javad Heydarian wrote on social media platform X: 'Undoubtedly, this concert by Parastoo Ahmadi in a historical caravanserai is one of the most creative and courageous acts of protest against the social and political restrictions of the government in recent years. A combination of various beauties, stage, people, music, architecture, clothing, and more!' Mizan's report claimed that 'the mentioned clip had no legal permit and did not comply with the legal and cultural standards of the country.' The claim of non-compliance with 'cultural standards of the country' in Ms. Ahmadi's performance comes despite the 'caravan concert' being held in a historical location using symbols such as Persian carpets and performing several well-known old songs. Among the pieces performed by Parastoo Ahmadi at the 'caravanserai concert' was the famous piece 'Kiss Me', accompanied by Ehsan Birgadar, Soheil Faghih Nasiri, Amin Taheri, and Amir Ali Pirnia. Contrary to the claim of non-compliance with 'cultural standards of the country', some users also pointed to Ms. Ahmadi's 'Iran necklace'. The 'map of Iran' necklace worn by Parastoo Ahmadi, the protesting singer, made the concert held in one of Iran's caravanserais on Wednesday, December 12, without mandatory hijab and its live broadcast on YouTube one of the most viewed events reflected in Iranian social media, garnering attention and admiration from many social media users. Parastoo Ahmadi explained her performance of this concert on the YouTube channel broadcasting the event: 'I, Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I could not overlook; singing for the land I love dearly.' The Iranian artist and singer added: 'Here, at this point of our dear Iran, in this piece where our history and myths intertwine, hear my voice in this hypothetical concert and imagine this beautiful homeland.' Mehdi Yarahee, a protesting singer who was previously imprisoned for supporting the nationwide protests of 2022 by performing songs in support of women's rights, reacted to the 'caravan concert' by telling Parastoo Ahmadi: 'You are the sun itself. It is impossible for you to set.' Mona Barzoui, a lyricist who was also arrested after supporting the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, praised Parastoo Ahmadi on social media X, writing: 'Be whoever you are!' Some users also compared Parastoo Ahmadi's performance image alongside Vida Mohavedi's solo protest as 'symbols of courage and resilience' that will later be included in history books. The caravanserai concert performed by Parastoo Ahmadi and her group also elicited reactions outside the Iranian media space. For instance, the official Israeli account in Persian on X described her action as 'courage', stating: 'Brave Iranian women and men will defeat the religious dictator, much sooner than you think.' Parastoo Ahmadi had also performed the piece 'From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland' during the nationwide protests of 2022, which led to widespread public support for this action, resulting in her being summoned by security agencies in October 2023 and a case being formed against her. The voice of women and female singing has faced severe prohibitions and restrictions by the Islamic Republic authorities for more than four decades. In recent months, Zara Esmaeili, a young female artist who sang in public places in Tehran and Karaj without mandatory hijab, was arrested and imprisoned by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic; an action that sparked significant reactions from Iranians. In this regard, Gol-Azin, an Iranian singer known by the stage name 'Gola', told Voice of America: 'The Islamic Republic cannot silence the voices of Iranian women, and they will be each other's voices, singing and protesting. This struggle will continue until Iranian women can express themselves freely.'