“Religious fanatics in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Switzerland and Poland are threatening the musical freedom of the world”, says Freemuse at a presentation at the current biannual conference for popular music researchers from the whole world held in Mexico City.
By Freemuse
Researchers Elijah Wald and Michael Drewett and controversial Mexican singer Andres Contreras are joining Freemuse at a plenary session in Mexico City Friday morning at the bi-annual IASPM conference. Aimed at music researchers from the whole world the session will present various aspects of music censorship.
In his presentation Ole Reitov, Freemuse programme officer, will focus on the increasing attacks from religious fundamentalists in the West as well as in many Muslim countries.
“The recent attacks on music from the Muslim Council in UK and from Christian groups in Poland and Switzerland are very worrying”, says Reitov.
American author and historian Mark LeVine has published a book about the special role of Heavy Metal music in the Middle East and its relationship with Islam: 'Heavy Metal Islam'
In a short documentary video about music and 'community censorship' in Afghanistan, the 19-year-old Afghan singer Mariam says she gets verbal abuse all the time
The students of the University of Hargeisa rejected and obstructed a celebration for the World Music Day, which was scheduled to take place on 21 June 2008
The youth wing of Malaysia's opposition Islamic party will stage a peaceful protest if the two singers Mas Idayu and Ella are not banned from a 6 July concert
Somali woman singer tells the untold story of how, in 1996, local Islamic court's militia raided a concert in Mogadishu, and sentenced the musicians to 20 lashes each
Students of Iraq’s Music and Ballet School still risk being attacked because of their love of music. This article summons the latest news from the musical life in Iraq.
There has been a quiet, yet marked increase in cultural activities in Saudi Arabia during the past couple of months. New music bands emerge and blossom on the internet
A letter from the Ministry of Culture and Information stated that "everything which is against the Sharia laws should not be printed, broadcasted, audio/video telecasted"
A commission for cultural and religious affairs in Afghanistan's lower house of parliament suggested to impose new restrictions on music and dance performance
A video presentation showed the scholars against a backdrop showing a symbol of crossed-out musical notes, each saying in turn that they believe music is forbidden
18-year-old Lima Sahar has placed herself in the middle of Afghanistan's continous gender and music struggle. She could become the winner of the tv show 'Afghan Star'
Music shops in Kuwait have been closed on the claim of defending morals and Islamic obligations, reported Arabic Network for Human Rights Information on 6 February 2008.
