Iranian singer arrested for virtual concert without hijab amid ongoing protests over dress code

Virtual concert sparks arrest: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmady detained

A 27-year-old Iranian singer, Parastoo Ahmady, was arrested on Saturday in the city of Sari, located in Mazandaran province, about 280 kilometers from Tehran. Her arrest comes after she performed in a virtual concert posted on YouTube, where she appeared without wearing a hijab, a requirement under Iran’s strict dress code for women.

Ahmady’s concert, which has garnered over 1.5 million views, was shared online with a heartfelt message from the singer. “I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love,” she wrote. “This is a right I could not ignore; singing for the land I love passionately… hear my voice in this imaginary concert and imagine this beautiful homeland.” In the video, Ahmady performed in a sleeveless black dress with her hair uncovered, accompanied by four male musicians.

Ahmady’s arrest was preceded by a case filed on Thursday, following the publication of her concert. Her lawyer, Milad Panahipour, confirmed that two of the male musicians, Soheil Faghih Nasiri and Ehsan Beiraghdar, were also arrested in Tehran on the same day.

The hijab has been mandated by Iranian law since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and while some women wear it as an expression of faith, many others view it as a restriction on their personal freedom. The enforcement of this law has led to growing discontent, particularly among younger generations, and protests have erupted across the country.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022, after she was detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not complying with the dress code, ignited widespread protests. Amini’s death sparked a global movement calling for greater personal freedoms and the end of mandatory hijab laws.

Ahmady’s arrest and the ongoing crackdown on those defying the dress code highlight the ongoing tensions in Iran over personal freedoms, with many citizens continuing to challenge restrictive policies despite the government’s efforts to stifle dissent.

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