IRAN SENTENCES SINGER TO 74 LASHES FOR NOT WEARING HIJAB - Prof. Marandi

Overview of Parastu Ahmadi’s Case

• The speaker discusses the case of Iranian singer Parastu Ahmadi, who was warned multiple times by Iran’s Ministry of Culture for “corrupting the youth.”
• Two years ago, after she was convicted for not following mandatory dress rules, she was sentenced to:
  • 74 lashes (not yet carried out at the time of the discussion),
  • a 2-year travel ban, and
  • a 2-year ban on audiovisual activities.
• The charges related to:
  • speaking in public without wearing the hijab, and
  • not covering her head and hands.
• The speaker adds that eight other people involved in organizing/promoting the event were also convicted.
• Parastu Ahmadi filed an appeal in December 2024, and the case became widely viewed online. The speaker suspects the punishment may be intended as an example/public deterrent.

Commentary on the Punishment and Context

• The presenter says they find public whipping for not wearing hijab “terrible” and disagrees with it on moral grounds, while also acknowledging a general belief that governments shouldn’t be completely permissive.
• They argue that, historically, the “whipping” described in media is not necessarily the same as portrayals in Western popular culture. They suggest it may have been a lighter form of punishment, and could potentially be substituted with jail time or a fine (based on their explanation of historical practice).
• The speaker also claims that some Islamic legal matters (they reference Shia jurisprudence) include many strict procedural conditions. They cite adultery (stoning) and hand-cutting (theft) as examples to argue these punishments would be nearly impossible to carry out under the stated requirements.
• They conclude that while religious/cultural norms matter, overly strict enforcement is harmful. They also criticize Western “values” as contributing to social instability, pointing to ongoing wars and “chaos.”

Presenters or Contributors

• Prof. Marandi (speaker/presenter)