Minister of Culture: Incorrect Information is Given to Authorities and Scholars

The Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced that some individuals are providing incorrect information to religious authorities, scholars, Friday prayer leaders, and members of parliament through inappropriate communication. Ali Jannati stated on Thursday, February 5, in Isfahan, "I feel that there are groups that do not accept this government, which is not their chosen government, and have organized and calculated centers for propaganda against this ministry." He further emphasized that tolerance and patience are characteristics of the eleventh government, stating, "We say that if what exists is expressed, even if critically, we will accept it, but some groups are pursuing destruction, sabotage, lies, and distortion of facts." Jannati's remarks come as several religious authorities have recently protested the actions of the Ministry of Culture. Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a religious authority from Qom, stated on Wednesday, February 4, "The people's complaints about the actions of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance have risen." He added, "Numerous complaints are coming to our office that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is trampling on the values of the revolution." Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani, another religious authority, also protested the issuance of a permit by the Ministry for an album that allegedly features a woman singing. Jannati reiterated that in the field of music, "all ethical, religious, and legal standards are observed," and mentioned that the lyrics and music of a concert are reviewed. He stated, "Despite all this, in recent days, some individuals have been providing incorrect information to religious authorities, scholars, Friday prayer leaders, and members of parliament, claiming that the Ministry of Culture has issued permits for female solo singing." In response to the ministry's statements regarding recent "media fabrications" about artistic permits, the Ministry of Culture emphasized that it has not issued any permits "contrary to the laws of the country, the religious beliefs of the people, and the decorum of society" and will not do so. The ministry also accused "opposing and anti-government media" of "creating crises and distractions" against its activities. According to the state news agency IRNA, the Ministry of Culture, in a statement addressing the concerns expressed by several religious authorities about the issuance of "unlawful permits," emphasized that no permits contrary to the laws of the country, the religious beliefs of the people, and the decorum of society have been issued or will be issued in any of its subordinate areas, including books, music, cinema, theater, etc. The statement continued: "What has been published recently in the form of news and reports against the performance of this ministry is the fabrication and distraction of some opposing and anti-government media, which, without providing any specific and substantiated evidence, are simply republishing to create crises and distractions regarding the activities of this ministry." Following news about the unveiling of the album "I Love You, Ancient Land and Homeland," several anti-government websites and some members of parliament accused the Ministry of Culture of issuing a permit for the music album of "a female singer" against the wishes of religious authorities. The Ministry of Culture also emphasized that the government’s "successful action" in bridging the gap between cultural and artistic figures and the government and system has not been well received by some media. According to the Ministry of Culture, "These media have repeatedly tried to create discomfort and concern among some of the system's well-wishers and esteemed scholars through extensive writing, spreading rumors, and unnecessary distractions, as well as publishing incorrect, inaccurate, and biased news." The album, composed by Peyman Khazeni and featuring simultaneous singing by Mohsen Karamati and Noushin Tafi, has been released in the music market and is classified as a national music piece with an orchestral perspective. The Ministry of Culture further emphasized that the news published regarding the issuance of a permit for "female solo singing at the Fajr Music Festival" is not true. According to the Ministry of Culture, at the Fajr Music Festival, as in previous years, a section has been dedicated to performances by female music groups, which are "according to regulations, exclusively for women."