Iranian Singer Parastoo Ahmadi Arrested for Performing Without Hijab in Viral YouTube Concert with 1.3 Million Views

Dec 14, 2024, 10:49 AM

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi is facing prosecution after live streaming a concert on YouTube in which she performed without a hijab, defying the country's strict Islamic dress codes. The concert, which took place in a historical caravanserai, has sparked significant attention and debate regarding women's rights in Iran, where public singing by women has been banned since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Following the concert, the Iranian judiciary announced legal action against Ahmadi and her production team, labeling the event as 'illegal.' Ahmadi's performance, which has garnered over 1.3 million views online, was seen as a bold act of defiance against the regime's restrictions. Reports indicate that she was arrested in Mazandaran province, along with two of her band members, Ehsan Beiraghdar and Soheil Faghih-Nassiri, who were detained at their music school in Tehran. The arrests have drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by women in Iran as they challenge oppressive laws.