TEHRAN Pop composer Fo'ad Hejazi said, "Iranian pop music needs time to become more creative and independent. Unfortunately, we are far behind the latest world music and professional performance standards. To reach higher standards, we should remove the obstacles in the way of this art."

Hejazi believes that Iranian pop music should not imitate Western music. He added that structural obstacles are the biggest problems and that there are no funds to expand Iranian pop music. Hejazi said, "We do not have enough facilities for training children in small towns and music institutes use amateur teachers for pop music." He also criticized the lack of pop concerts in towns, saying people are interested in this kind of music.

He added that pop music should be promoted more vigorously. saying that IRIB was not broadcasting enough pop music.