“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.
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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"
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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
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