Parastoo Ahmadi, an Iranian singer and composer, held a virtual performance on Wednesday evening on her YouTube channel from one of Iran’s historic venues. The concert was performed for an imaginary audience, a poignant act of defiance against the Iranian regime’s restrictions. In Iran, women are prohibited from singing solo or appearing in public without wearing a hijab. Ahmadi’s performance, where she appeared with her hair uncovered and shoulders bare, boldly challenged these repressive rules. She wrote: “I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love. This is a right I could not ignore—singing for the land I passionately love. Here, in this part of our beloved Iran, where history and legends intertwine, listen to my voice in this imaginary concert, and imagine this beautiful homeland…” 👉 By Thursday morning, Iran’s judiciary had opened a case against Ahmadi and her production team, labeling the event an “illegal concert” and accusing it of violating the country...