Authorities in a southwestern Iranian province seized musical instruments on the basis they were the cause of "depraved" scenes behind closed doors, a local official was quoted as saying Tuesday.
An official in Boyerahmad-va-Kohkiluyeh province's culture ministry, Ziaeddin Reza Tofighi, told ISNA news agency the crackdown was agreed upon during a meeting three months ago between police, judicial and state media representatives.
He said the decision was a response to "concerns from clerics in the province over certain excesses committed during wedding parties, during which there were acts contrary to Islam."
However Tofighi, who said he did not take part in the meeting which ordered the crackdown, said he disagreed with the action and the "policy of the culture ministry is to encourage music accepted by Islam, which is a rampart against Western music."
Tofighi added the crackdown had now stopped, with most instruments already returned to their owners. (Albawaba.com)
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