Parastoo Ahmadi
Parastoo Ahmadi پرستو احمدی | |
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.jpg) Ahmadi in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 21 March 1997 Nowshahr, Iran |
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Parastoo Ahmadi (born 21 March 1997) is an Iranian artist and singer.[1] Her performance of "Caravanserai Concert," performed at Dayr-e Gachin in December 2024 and broadcast live on her YouTube channel, garnered widespread international attention as she appeared without compulsory hijab.[2][3] In June 2026, Ahmadi was sentenced by an Iranian criminal court to 74 lashes and a two-year ban on artistic activities and international travel for her performance, which authorities characterized as "obscene" and "immoral" performance.
Biography and works
[edit]Ahmadi graduated in film directing from Soureh International University.[1] She began taking courses in solfège and voice training (in folk music and classical music) at the age of 14.[4]
From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland
[edit]During the 2022 protests in Iran, Ahmadi performed the song From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland.[5]
The Air of Freedom
[edit]In June 2023, "The Air of Freedom," a song featuring lyrics by Fatemeh Dogoharani, was released. According to Ahmadi, the song was a tribute to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. Following this, in October 2023, a judicial case was filed against her.[6][1] Her summons to Tehran's Security Court and the confiscation of her personal belongings created challenges for her artistic pursuits.[7][8]
Caravanserai Concert
[edit]During the autumn of 2024, Ahmadi performed the "Caravanserai Concert" at a caravanserai while not wearing a hijab, compulsory in the Islamic Republic of Iran. She performed solo before mixed-gender audiences which is also prohibited in Iran. The live performance sparked widespread attention on social media.[9] About her concert, she wrote:
"I, Parastoo, the girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I couldn't overlook—singing for the land I deeply adore. Here, at this point in our beloved Iran, where history and legends intertwine, hear my voice in this imaginary concert and imagine this beautiful homeland…"[10]
In the Caravanserai Concert, Ahmadi performed pieces like "Sar Kooye Doost," "Aziz Joon," "Kamar Bareek," "Mara Bebos," "Lahze Didar," "Cheh Sazam," and "Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan." She was accompanied by musicians Ehsan Beyraghdar on piano, Soheyl Faghih-Nasiri on guitar, Amin Taheri on drums, and Amir Ali Pirnia on bass.[11]
Detainment and legal action
[edit]The Iranian Judiciary announced that legal actions would be taken against Ahmadi for performing music without a permit and not adhering to "legal and religious norms." According to Mizan News Agency, legal cases have been filed against those involved, and actions will be taken against other individuals connected to the event as well.[1] On 14 December 2024, Ahmadi was arrested in the Mazandaran province. Two of her musicians, Ehsan Birghidar and Sohail Faqih Nasiri, were also reported to be detained.[12] On 15 December 2024, Ahmadi's lawyer stated that she had been released after widespread outrage over her arrest.[13]
Amir Hossein Bankipour, an Iranian MP and advocate for strict hijab and 'chastity' laws, publicly supported Ahmadi's arrest.[14]
In June 2026, Ahmadi and eight other members of the group involved in the Caravanserai Concert were convicted of offending "public decency through the production and publication of obscene and immoral content" and were sentenced by a criminal court to 74 lashes, along with two-year bans on both travel and artistic performances.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Parastoo Ahmadi and the "Hypothetical Concert" at Caravanserai; The Judiciary Announces Legal Action". BBC News Persian (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Parastoo Ahmadi's Concert Gains Attention; "Judicial Case Opened"". Euronews (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Wide Reactions to Parastoo Ahmadi's Concert; "A Judicial Case Opened"". Deutsche Welle (in Persian). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Who Is Parastoo Ahmadi?". Ivna News (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "News Station; Saturday, 1 October 2023". BBC News Persian (in Persian). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Reactions to Parastoo Ahmadi's Concert; A Singer Performing Without Compulsory Hijab in Iran". Radio Farda (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Continued Pressure on Javad Heydari's Family and Sentencing Protesters – 2 October 2023". Deutsche Welle (in Persian). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Confiscation of Parastoo Ahmadi's Personal Belongings by Government Agents". IranWire (in Persian). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ Parent, Deepa (18 June 2026). "Iranian star Parastoo Ahmadi reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without hijab". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ^ "Unprecedented Reception of Parastoo Ahmadi's Concert Without Compulsory Hijab in Iran". Radio Zamaneh (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "A Voice from the Heart of History: Parastoo Ahmadi's Concert Without Hijab in the Heart of Iran". VOA News (in Persian). 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi arrested after performing concert without hijab". Euronews. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Makoii, Akhtar (15 December 2024). "Iran 'bows to pressure' to release singer who defied regime by performing solo without a hijab". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
- ^ "Bankipour's comments on the Hijab and Chastity Bill". Etemad (in Persian). 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Greyman-Kennard, Danielle. "Iran sentences singer Parastoo Ahmadi, eight others to lashings over performance without hijab", The Jerusalem Post, June 18, 2026. Accessed June 18, 2026.
External links
[edit]
Quotations related to Parastoo Ahmadi at Wikiquote- Caravanserai Concert
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