Harsh Action Taken Against School in Mahabad Following Release of Dance Video; School Completely Closed
Following the release of a video showing Kurdish dancing by teachers and students at a school in Mahabad, a parliamentary representative announced the revocation of this private school’s license.
Hadi Bahadri, representative of Urmia in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, told the FARS news agency on Friday, June 16, that a meeting was held regarding this school and it was decided that this private school would be completely stripped of its license and closed.
About 10 days ago, following students’ dancing at several schools across Iran to the song “Gentleman” by Sassy J, a video was posted on social networks showing several teachers and female students dancing Kurdish dance at a school in Mahabad.
The West Azerbaijan Department of Education confirmed the Kurdish dancing at one of Mahabad’s schools and announced that “the issue of mixed dancing by students and teachers at a school in Mahabad is under investigation.”
Following the 1979 revolution in Iran and especially during the 1980s and 1990s, revolutionary and religious songs were broadcast at various school ceremonies, and to this day students are not allowed to dance at celebrations.
This video was released shortly after dancing by students at several schools to the song “Gentleman” by Sassy J recently made headlines in Iran.
Islamic Republic officials called dancing in schools “obscene” and demanded action be taken against it. According to education laws, dancing and foot-stomping by students along with music in Iranian schools is not permitted, and only government-approved music can be broadcast in schools.
Source: Voice of America
