January 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Iranian authorities
have reportedly sentenced a member of a well-known band to two years in prison
for insulting Islam during a show in France.
A colleague said Habib Meftah Bushehri was
convicted in connection with a performance in France in 2006, during which their
group, Shanbezadeh, played religious music.
Band leader Saeed Shanbezadeh told Radio Farda in
an interview from Paris that the court issued its sentence after viewing a
recording of the performance.
"The judge's interpretation is that our work is an
insult to sanctities because we played [the southern Iranian city of] Bushehr's
religious music," Shanbezadeh said. "The religious music of Bushehr is some of
the strongest and most beautiful music in southern Iran; it's an important part
of our culture. I'm surprised that someone can issue such a
verdict."
Shabezadeh said Meftah Bushehri's case is being
reviewed and that he is not allowed to leave Iran.
Iranian officials have not commented on the
case.
Background
TEHRAN, June 5 (Mehr News
Agency) – Ney-anban (Iranian bagpipe) player
and composer Saeid Shanbezadeh and his band will be giving a concert in front of
the European Parliament of Belgium on June 7 and 8, the student news agency ISNA
reported here on Monday.
The band along with an ensemble of French musicians
will perform a medley of Bushehri music, aiming to convey the message of peace
and friendship to the world.
Shanbezadeh and his band gave a performance at a
research music concert in Paris last year.
Shanbezadeh was born in the southern Iranian province
of Bushehr. He studied under the old masters of Bushehr in the childhood and
acquired proficiency on several instruments.
He has conducted ethno-musicological research
throughout the province and has become a living encyclopedia of his vast musical
repertoire.
Shanbezadeh lives in Paris and heads the Bushehri
traditional ensemble Zar that has thrilled audiences throughout the world.
He has also played the role of narrator in the film
"Dialogue with Wind" directed by Bahram Beizaii.
... Payvand News - 1/4/07 ... --
