TEHRAN: Iran summoned the acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy on Friday after accusing a visiting Afghan official of disrespecting the national anthem by remaining seated during its performance. This incident follows a similar controversy in Pakistan.
Standing for the national anthem is a common practice meant to show respect and patriotism, honoring a nation and its values. Pakistan recently condemned an Afghan diplomat for similar behavior during an event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to widespread criticism on social media.
The Afghan consulate downplayed that incident, explaining that the diplomat’s choice to remain seated was due to the presence of “music in the anthem.”
During a conference in Tehran focused on Islamic unity, the Afghan delegate later apologized, stating that his decision was influenced by the Taliban’s ban on music in public.
Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement lodging a “strong protest” over the Afghan official’s “unconventional and unacceptable action,” accusing Kabul’s representative at the conference of disrespecting the Islamic Republic’s national anthem. The statement emphasized that respecting the national symbols of host countries is a recognized international custom, noting the importance of honoring such traditions during diplomatic interactions.
