The respected Iranian President bans western music.

TEHRAN, Iran - Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has banned Western music from Iran's radio and TV stations, reviving one of the harshest cultural decrees from the early days of 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Songs such as George Michael's "Careless Whisper," Eric Clapton's "Rush" and the Eagles' "Hotel California" have regularly accompanied Iranian broadcasts, as do tunes by saxophonist Kenny G.

But the official IRAN Persian daily reported Monday that Ahmadinejad, as head of Iran's Supreme Cultural Revolutionary Council, ordered the enactment of an October ruling by the council to ban Western music.

"Blocking indecent and Western music from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is required," according to a statement on the council's official Web site.

Ahmadinejad's order means the IRIB must execute the decree and prepare a report on its implementation within six months, according to the newspaper.

"This is terrible," said Iranian guitarist Babak Riahipour, whose music was played occasionally on state radio and TV. "The decision shows a lack of knowledge and experience."

Music was outlawed as un-Islamic by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini soon after the revolution. But as the fervor of the revolution started to fade, light classical music was allowed on radio and television. Some public concerts reappeared in the late 1980s.

Originally posted by crusader
Hmm sounds like a good idea to me.. Pretty sensible in banning the music... Look and learn don't be bias, be open minded! I think more influence of arabic music, etc, will be good.

Originally posted by helium3
deltaboy: why do you care so much ?. After all is HE is the President and can do what he likes. I'd MUCH RATHER never hear MTV dribble eva again then say have bush has authorized NSA to spy on Americans.
Why do people care what Iran President is doing when when there own is THE WORST !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by deltaboy
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...because music represents true freedom. I just cant contain myself on this one.

Originally posted by helium3
But on the other hand when a president of a foreign country bans western music thats the straw that broke the camels back ? Like i said put all your energy into how your president is screwing you.

Originally posted by helium3
I really feel sorry for you deltaboy.

Originally posted by helium3
deltaboy: why do you care so much ?. After all is HE is the President and can do what he likes. I'd MUCH RATHER never hear MTV dribble eva again then say have bush has authorized NSA to spy on Americans.
Why do people care what Iran President is doing when the US's President is hands down THE WORST EVA !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by AceOfBase

I'm sure you would complain about Bush being an Islamaphobic tyrant if he ever banned Arabic music from being played in the US so why don't you have the same feeling when a person in Iran does something similar?