Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi, sentenced to 74 lashes. Scroll down to know why and what is the meaning of 74 lashes.
Who is Parastoo Ahmadi ?
Parastoo Ahmadi is an Iranian singer and artist who gained international attention. Ahmadi graduated in film directing from Soureh International University. She started taking courses in solfège and voice training (in folk music and classical music) at the age of 14.
Why is Parastoo Ahmadi in news ?
Parastoo Ahmadi is in the news because of her performance of “Caravanserai Concert,” performed at Dayr-e Gachin in December 2024 and broadcast live on her YouTube channel. The video has got a lot of attention as the singer appeared in the video without a hijab. “Singing, performing music, and producing or disseminating musical works by women are not criminalised under Iranian criminal law. Consequently, such activities cannot reasonably be construed as the ‘production, distribution or publication of obscene content’,” said Moein Khazaeli, as quoted in the report.
What punishment did Parastoo Ahmadi get for not wearing Hijab ?
As Parastoo did not wear any hijab in the video, an Iranian criminal court in Qom province sentenced her to 74 lashes, alongside a two-year travel ban and also a two-year prohibition on artistic activities. “Ahmadi’s punishment of 74 lashes for merely singing and appearing without a hijab is yet another reminder that human rights conditions in Iran have not changed, despite the Iranian authorities’ wartime propaganda campaign aimed at improving their image,” Ghandehari shared.
What does ’74 lashes’ mean ?
According to legal content, 74 lashes means a person is to be whipped 74 times. To break it down, a guard or a local official hits the person with a leather whip or flexible stick, which, as a result, causes intense pain and brings public shame to the person.
What are the legal charges on Parastoo Ahmadi ?
The official legal charges against the singer center on “wounding public chastity” and producing “vulgar and immoral content.”