President bans Western music
19/12/2005 21:19  - (SA)  

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Tehran - Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has told Iran's radio and television network not to play Western and "decadent" music and instead use "relaxing" and revolutionary-era tunes.

"The promotion of decadent and Western music should be avoided and the stress should be put on authorised, artistic, classic and fine Iranian music," a decree was quoted as saying in Monday's press.

Also prescribed by the High Council of Cultural Revolution, a cultural watchdog headed by the president, were "relaxing themes and memorable music from the revolution".

State media have also been told to supervise content and "create norms and define criteria".

"Violence and decadence should be avoided in the Iranian cinema industry," the decree was quoted as saying.

A promise to restore Islamic values

In recent years, Iranian radio and television have broadcast techno rhythms and more upbeat instrumental versions of Western pop music, either alone or as an accompaniment to regular shows.

More generally accepted music includes traditional Persian music or soft instrumentals in the style of international easy-listening star Richard Clayderman.

Ahmadinejad swept to a shock victory in the June presidential elections, promising to restore the values of the 1979 Islamic revolution and a "Koranic culture".

The president, a hardcore revolutionary, has also urged the country to prepare the way for a return of the 12th Shiite Muslim imam, Mahdi, who is known as the "hidden Imam" after he disappeared in the year 873 AD.

Shiites believe the 12th imam to be in a state of "occultation" and will one day return to save the world.

Last month Iran's new culture minister, Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi, announced he was purging his ministry of officials viewed as having failed to protect Islamic values. For years the ministry had been a bastion of Iran's now-defeated reformist camp.

Movie censors were also criticised for being too soft by the minister, who added nevertheless that his clean-up campaign would take time.

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