TEHRAN -- The Play Revision Council of the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance halted the rehearsal of “The Day of Hussein (AS)” at Tehran’s Iranshahr Hall on Tuesday.

Connecting Ashura with the daily events of Iranian contemporary life, the play was scheduled to be staged by Mohammad Rahmanian’s troupe during Muharram, the month in which Imam Hussein (AS) arose to struggle against the Umayyad ruler Yazid’s oppression in 680 CE.
“Today, we announced a halt to the rehearsing of ‘The Day of Hussein (AS)’ as the troupe was waiting the council’s approval,” Rahmanian told the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency on Tuesday.
Some discourses by Imam Hussein (AS) cursing Yazid’s army have been cut from the play by the council, he added.
Rahmanian’s troupe comprising 46 actors has been rehearsing for the play over the past two months. Ali Omrani, Taraneh Alidusti, Afshin Hashemi, Ashkan Khatibi, Ali Soleimani, and Leili Farhadpur were among the cast members.
A play must be approved by the Culture Ministry for performance; afterwards it must be previewed by representatives of the ministry before public showing is permitted.
Photo: Mohamad Rahmanian (L) directs his troupe during a rehearsal of “The Day of Hussein (AS)” at Tehran’s Iranashahr Hall on December 13, 2009. (Mehr/Abolfazl Nesaii)