Iran announces arrest of two young women for dancing in public
The Iranian authorities arrested two women after the broadcast of a video showing them dancing as part of the celebrations ahead of the Persian New Year, celebrated on March 20, local media announced on Saturday March 9.
Islamic law in force in Iran prohibits mixed dancing or dancing by single women in public.
Iranians in the Tajrish district of Tehran, here on August 16, 2023. © Atta Kenare / AFP
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Tehran,
Siavosh Ghazi
In the video posted on social networks, we see the two young women dressed as Hadji Firouz dancing and singing in Tajrish Square, a busy place in northern Tehran.
Hadji Firouz is a folkloric character dressed in red and with a blackened face, whose dance and songs announce the arrival of the Iranian New Year, Nowrouz.
In general, a few weeks before Nowrouz, young people disguise themselves as Hadji Firouz to
make money
by dancing and singing in public squares.
After the publication of this video, the Tehran prosecutor ordered the arrest of the two women for “
violating social norms
”.
Since the protest movement which shook Iran at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, after the death of the young Mahsa Amini, arrested by the moral police for poor respect of the strict veil, numerous videos have been published showing young Iranian girls dancing or sing in public places.
The
government has tightened measures
to combat non-respect of the veil.
Thus, many cafes are regularly closed for non-respect of the veil by employees or customers.
Motorists are also fined for driving without a veil.
Also read: Iran: what remains of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement?
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