Iran cultural official resigns over concert in holy city

Tehran: An Iranian cultural official resigned after protests by religious authorities over a concert in the holy city of Qom, state TV reported.

The Sunday report said Abbas Daneshi, head of the department of culture in Qom, resigned due to discontent among religious authorities over the event last month. Qom, about 130km south of Tehran and a centre for Shiite education, it is considered one of the holiest cities inside Iran.

The move is a blow to President Hassan Rouhani who has vowed a more open cultural policy.

In recent months, religious authorities have criticised the government for allowing concerts in religious cities that host shrines of revered Shiite saints.