Iranian Singer Parastoo Ahmadi Arrested After Defying Morality Laws

 Parastoo Ahmadi, an Iranian singer, was arrested on Saturday after holding an online concert without wearing the mandatory hijab, a move seen as defiance against Iran’s strict morality laws for women.

Ahmadi, known for her expressive performances, streamed the concert live on YouTube on Wednesday. Her performance, which had no physical audience, was watched by 74,000 people within just 12 hours despite Iran’s restricted internet access and censorship of the platform. The concert gained widespread attention and support online, but it also brought swift repercussions.

The authorities raided Ahmadi’s home shortly after the performance went viral and summoned her for questioning at the Tehran Security Prosecutor’s Office. On Saturday, her lawyer, Milad Panahipour, confirmed her arrest in Mazandaran province. Local reports suggest that two of her musicians, Ehsan Birghidar and Sohail Faqih Nasiri, were also detained.

In a statement before her performance, Ahmadi shared a heartfelt message: “I want to sing for the people I love. This is a right that I could not ignore; singing for the land that I love dearly.” Her words resonated with many Iranians, especially women, who continue to protest the country’s restrictive gender-based laws.

Ahmadi’s arrest follows years of growing discontent in Iran, particularly among women. Since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 while in police custody for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly, the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement has gained momentum. Women across the country have been pushing back against mandatory hijab laws and restrictions on personal freedoms, often risking arrest or harsher penalties.

Authorities announced that a trial would begin against Ahmadi immediately, highlighting the government’s ongoing crackdown on dissent.

Ahmadi’s bold move and the global attention it has received underline the continued resistance of Iranian women to systemic repression. Her story adds another chapter to the growing call for freedom and gender equality in Iran.