Iran Bans Western Music (Kenny G Related)
Birdman9
5,417 Posts
from CNN.comIran bans Western musicRuling takes country back to Khomeini days[/b]TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has banned Western music from Iran's radio and TV stations, reviving one of the harshest cultural decrees from the early days of 1979 Islamic Revolution.Songs such as George Michael's "Careless Whisper," Eric Clapton's "Rush" and the Eagles' "Hotel California" have regularly accompanied Iranian broadcasts, as do tunes by saxophonist Kenny G[/b].But the official IRAN Persian daily reported Monday that Ahmadinejad, as head of Iran's Supreme Cultural Revolutionary Council, ordered the enactment of an October ruling by the council to ban Western music."Blocking indecent and Western music from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is required," according to a statement on the council's official Web site.Ahmadinejad's order means the IRIB must execute the decree and prepare a report on its implementation within six months, according to the newspaper."This is terrible," said Iranian guitarist Babak Riahipour, whose music was played occasionally on state radio and TV. "The decision shows a lack of knowledge and experience."Music was outlawed as un-Islamic by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini soon after the revolution. But as the fervor of the revolution started to fade, light classical music was allowed on radio and television. Some public concerts reappeared in the late 1980s.Western music, films and clothing are widely available in Iran, and hip-hop can be heard on Tehran's streets, blaring from car speakers or from music shops. Bootleg videos and DVDs of films banned by the state are widely available in the black market.Following eight years of reformist-led rule in Iran, Ahmadinejad won office in August on a platform of reverting to ultraconservative principles promoted by the revolution.Since then, Ahmadinejad has jettisoned Iran's moderation in foreign policy and pursued a purge in the government, replacing pragmatic veterans with former military commanders and inexperienced religious hard-liners.He also has issued stinging criticisms of Israel, called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map" and described the Nazi Holocaust as a "myth." (Full story)International concerns are high over Iran's nuclear program, with the United States accusing Tehran of pursuing an atomic weapons program. Iran denies the claims.During his presidential campaign, Ahmadinejad also promised to confront what he called the Western cultural invasion and promote Islamic values.The latest media ban also includes censorship of content of films."Supervision of content from films, TV series and their voice-overs is emphasized in order to support spiritual cinema and to eliminate trite and violence," the council said in a statement on its Web site explaining its October ruling.The council has also issued a ban on foreign movies that promote "arrogant powers," an apparent reference to the United States.
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^^^big barbara streisand fan^^^[/b]
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/08/iran.israel.reut/?section=cnn_topstories
Iran leader: Ahmadinejad casts doubt on Holocaust[/b]
Thursday, December 8, 2005; Posted: 4:50 p.m. EST (21:50 GMT)
TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expressed doubt that the Holocaust occurred and suggested Israel be moved to Europe.
His comments, reported by Iran's official IRNA news agency from a news conference he gave on Thursday in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, follows his call in October for Israel to be "wiped off the map," which sparked widespread international condemnation.
"Some European countries insist on saying that Hitler killed millions of innocent Jews in furnaces and they insist on it to the extent that if anyone proves something contrary to that they condemn that person and throw them in jail," IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
"Although we don't accept this claim, if we suppose it is true, our question for the Europeans is: is the killing of innocent Jewish people by Hitler the reason for their support to the occupiers of Jerusalem?" he said.
"If the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe -- like in Germany, Austria or other countries -- to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe. You offer part of Europe and we will support it."
Six million Jews were killed in the Nazi Holocaust. Ahmadinejad's remarks drew swift rebukes from Israel and Washington.
"This is not the first time, unfortunately, that the Iranian president has expressed the most outrageous ideas concerning Jews and Israel," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
He's on a fool's errand.
reform will happen no matter what. all the youngs in the major cities in Iran are are on the properly informed tip, and know about all our music from here and abroad (not to mention some decent rock and jazz bands). as long as the govt. doesn't block the internet, they'll be fine.
hollur.
yup. and even if they banned the internet (though they'd have to basically search every house to do this and computers would be the least of what they'd find), the black market in Iran is alive and well...not too many things you can't get there if you have the money for it.
here's a interesting website from some kids out there in Tehran that recently toured for the first time in the states. www.127band.com. their only tour spots were in NYC, Boston, and DC. But all things considered, it's amazing that they were able play these shows even.
Surprisingly, I was in Boston that night they played (and sold the mutha out), so I got a chance to see them play live. Apparently, they've already gathered a large following from just the internet alone. Thats really the only way they can get noticed, because of the harsh govt. But shit it worked. They were even on NPR the day after speaking about how rare it is to be in the states and what not. Cool kids. They're really no different than us here. Got a lot of culture going on. (in most spots that is
ez.
Well, they'll be fine in that they will be able to listen to 'western music,' via the internet, but they will still have to live with an oppressive, hateful government.
yeah, that may not be such an overreaction if this is the case.
God how I hate that song.
but thats just it, the internet is not just for music (obviously). The educated people out there are mad informed on everything thats going on (remember 2003's Iranian nobel peace prize winner, Shirin Ebadi). Well over half of the country is on the reformist tip. It's just a matter of having to deal with a govt. that you're not too thrilled about.
The people have had so much blood shed over the years, that they have become tired of fighting with the "oppresive and hateful govt." They get on with their lives, just like we do here.
respect.
oh the irony.
lol - i was going to, but not up for it today. glad someone did.
Maybe they ban stuff to drive up the black market price??
doh, read it back and yeah that was definitly pure poetry on my part. Still though, when a leader of a country calls the holocaust a myth he deserves much more than a hateful ironic outburst
Nice one!