Iranian Singer Sentenced to 74 Lashes for Performing Without Hijab
An Iranian singer has lost her appeal against a sentence of 74 lashes for performing in a YouTube concert without a hijab, a ruling that upholds a previous conviction for allegedly offending public decency.
Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, was found guilty in June of charges including "offending public decency" after livestreaming a patriotic song on YouTube in December 2024. The performance, which featured her four-man backing band, took place without an audience and with Ahmadi not wearing a hijab.
She was sentenced by a criminal court in Qom to 74 lashes, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on artistic activities. The court's decision was upheld by an appeals court last week, despite the lawyers arguing that holding the concert was not a crime.
"In our view, holding the concert was not a crime at all," one of the lawyers told the BBC. "The trial court imposed one of the harshest punishments for these charges, although fines and less severe penalties were also available." The Court of Appeal reportedly did not hold a hearing before upholding the judgment, stating the decision aimed to deter similar future events.
The YouTube video of Ahmadi's performance has garnered millions of views, with many commenters praising her courage and resilience. In Iran, women are prohibited from singing alone in public, and the enforcement of mandatory hijab laws has intensified with the recent approval of a stricter "Hijab and chastity" bill. This legislation imposes penalties ranging from fines to lengthy prison sentences, and potentially the death penalty, for violations of hijab requirements.
Ahmadi's case highlights a growing trend of women in Iran publicly defying the Islamic Republic's laws. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, restrictions on female singers have evolved, initially banning them from singing altogether and later limiting solo performances before mixed-gender audiences. Female vocalists are permitted to perform for female-only audiences or as part of a chorus for male audiences. Under Iranian and Islamic law, women are also forbidden from appearing without a hijab in front of unrelated men.
The hijab has become a significant political symbol in Iran, particularly after its mandatory implementation following the 1979 revolution. For many observant Muslim women, the head covering signifies piety and modesty. The country experienced widespread protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab correctly. Recent reports also include the case of Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old accounting student sentenced to death for charges including "insulting the Supreme Leader" and "clashing with security agents," whose leaked voice recording pleaded for international intervention.