Violent clashes at school in Mahabad after dance video released; school completely closed
Following the publication of a video of Kurdish dancing by teachers and students at a school in Mahabad, a member of parliament announced the cancellation of the non-profit school's privileges.
Hadi Bahadori, a representative from Urmia in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, told Fars News Agency on Friday, June 6, that a meeting was held about this school and it was decided that this non-profit school would be stripped of its privileges and closed down.
About 10 days ago, after students in several Iranian schools danced to the song "Gentleman" by Sassi Manken, a video was posted on social media showing several female teachers and students in a school dancing Kurdish.
The West Azerbaijan Education Ministry had approved Kurdish dancing in a school in Mahabad and announced that "the issue of mixed dancing between students and teachers in a school in Mahabad is under investigation."
After the 1979 revolution in Iran, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionary and religious songs were played at various school ceremonies, and to this day, students are not allowed to dance at celebrations.
This video was released shortly after students from several schools recently made headlines in Iran for dancing to the song "Gentleman Sassy Man."
Officials in the Islamic Republic have called dancing in schools "vulgar" and have called for a crackdown. According to education laws, students are not allowed to dance and march to music in Iranian schools, and only music approved by the government can be played in schools.
Source: Voice of America
