Erfan Tahmasebi Concert in Ahvaz Rescheduled to Post-Fatimiyya Days

According to Sohreh-e Honar Iran, citing ISNA News Agency, the Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Khuzestan stated regarding the cancellation of Erfan Tahmasebi’s concert in Ahvaz: “Given the singer’s request to hold 10 to 12 performances from November 1st to 10th, and its coincidence with a previously scheduled performance approved by the department’s Music Council, it was decided to postpone these shows until after the Fatimiyya days.”

Erfan Tahmasebi’s concert, which was scheduled to be performed in Khuzestan Province starting from October 19th, was cancelled. The artist reacted to this incident on the same day and published a post. In a story on his official Instagram account, he wrote:

“This level of discrimination and arbitrary behavior is no longer tolerable. More than a year has passed since the start of our performances, and during this time, we have presented various proposals and requests to the relevant officials—whether for free or paid performances—time and again. However, Khuzestan officials, and perhaps supra-provincial officials, have always blocked the path with obstacles and hurdles.”

“Primary and secondary permits have been obtained multiple times, to the extent that we started informing the public, but it was cancelled again. What is their entire wish? For our performance to remain small and limited; in a city and province that is our home. But what are they afraid of? Perhaps you know this better than I do. When it came to our performance in halls or larger venues, they said: ‘Security cannot be ensured’ or ‘The space is not befitting of the people,’ even though you will soon witness grand performances in these same halls (referring to Alireza Ghorbani’s concert at Ahvaz’s Al-Ghadir Stadium).”

Continuing his reaction, using the term “Dear Master,” he also referred to Alireza Ghorbani’s concert currently being held at Ahvaz’s Al-Ghadir Stadium as an example, writing: “Thus, I inform the dear people of Khuzestan: There is a serious will for our absence in Khuzestan and for your unhappiness. I ask only one thing from the officials of Khuzestan: a little honor and honesty.”

Readiness to Cooperate with Erfan Tahmasebi for Concert in Ahvaz

In this regard, Hossein Barati, Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Khuzestan, told ISNA: “The Khuzestan Culture and Islamic Guidance Department demonstrated its will to have the venue requested by Erfan Tahmasebi’s executive team examined as quickly as possible and to issue the venue code.”

He stated: “Unfortunately, in the desired time frame, those steps were not fully completed, and it was limited to submitting a request, which came after the department’s Music Council meeting was held. Of course, in discussions with Mr. Tahmasebi’s manager, the proposal for holding several performances was raised, and the department also announced its readiness to issue the permit within that same time frame.”

Emphasizing that despite all this, they have the necessary readiness to cooperate and accompany Erfan Tahmasebi for a concert in Ahvaz, he stressed: “We consider discrimination or any other interpretation or title raised to be beneath the dignity of Khuzestan’s culture and art.”