Keyvan Saket Supports Parastoo Ahmadi: Music Restrictions for Women Should Be Lifted

Keyvan Saket, a musician and composer, spoke to Voice of America regarding the legal case against Parastoo Ahmadi and her group, stating that "Iranian music is human-building" and cultural officials should know they must serve the art. Mr. Saket described Parastoo Ahmadi's action of performing a "hypothetical concert" as a "very beautiful and courageous" act that left a "memorable impact". He criticized government restrictions on women's singing, saying, "Those who are aroused and lose control upon hearing women's voices should consult a psychiatrist." The musician added, "Women's voices are half of the world's music, and this injustice to our cultured women is truly unfair" and emphasized, "I hope it won't be long before music officials and those who manage music affairs think more correctly and realize that we artists, whether men or women, if we are not present in any field, you have no place to work and no excuse to work, and this ministry will crumble." He called for the removal of "restrictions on women's music" and stated that "people want women's music and voices to be free" and that "those who are not upset about the absence of women artists in this field should be ashamed of themselves." Parastoo Ahmadi's performance of a "hypothetical concert" in one of Iran's caravanserais without mandatory hijab, which was published on her YouTube channel on Wednesday, December 21, received widespread attention on social media, garnering over two million views on that channel alone. The Islamic Republic's judiciary announced on Friday, December 22, that a legal case had been opened against Parastoo Ahmadi and her group for performing music "without adhering to legal and religious standards". Subsequently, state media reported her arrest along with two members of her music group, although later reports indicated their release following a "re-education session". Additionally, criticism from Iranian singer Mandana Khodrani emerged regarding the negative reactions from some artists to Parastoo Ahmadi's performance. Simin and Behin Bolouri, a musician and singer, expressed their support for Parastoo Ahmadi by releasing a new song. Various graffiti in support of Parastoo Ahmadi has also been reported, and calls for artists to support her and her companions have been made. Esmailian stated that Iran without the Islamic Republic will taste freedom and justice.