Tehran, June 13, The Iran Project � There is no need to raise the issues of women�s presence in sports stadiums and holding concerts� in the current situation of the country, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi said in a meeting with Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari in Qom on Saturday.


Senior cleric Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi�told visiting Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari�on Saturday that raising the issues of women�s presence in sports stadiums and holding concerts is not necessary�in the current situation of the country.

Referring to those�who blame the Police for preventing women from entering sports clubs or cancelling some concerts, Iran Police Chief Hossein Ashtari stressed �we have acted according to the law� Tasnim said.

However, Culture Minister Ali Jannati reportedly said on April that police have been ordered to deal with individuals who disrupt concerts which have been held in capital Tehran and other cities, as well, stressing that �concerts which are held in Tehran and other cities are authorized and must be supported.�

Saying that the government hopes to avoid a showdown with conservatives over the issue of women�s presence in sports stadiums, Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi expressed that a limited number of women, mainly families of national team players, will be allowed to watch the upcoming volleyball matches as a way of gradually introducing the change.