A new music video featuring Snoop Dogg and Iranian pop singer Amitis Moghaddam is being called into question for its depiction of the religion Zoroastrianism.
The Parsi Zoroastrians Association of Kolkata, which represents a dwindling group of followers of the ancient monotheistic religion, is suing the musicians, YouTube and production companies responsible for the video. The group is petitioning to have the video King banned for its insensitivity, Shashank Bengali reported for the Los Angeles Times.
The music video shows Snoop Dogg smoking marijuana and Moghaddam, who performs under her first name, being fanned by scantily clad men under the Faravahar, an important symbol for Zoroastrians. These images are interspersed with shots of women pole dancing.
Darayas Jamshed Bapooji, president of the association, said Moghaddam should have known the video would be offensive because she is from Iran, where the religion originates and believers live.
We being such a small community, our heritage should not be looked down upon, Bapooji said in an interview. We are very proud people, we take pride in our religion and we cannot afford for anyone to do such things.
The Parsi Zoroastrians fled to India from Iran 1,000 years ago to avoid religious persecution, and adherents believe in one god who revealed the truth through the prophet, Zoroaster, BBC reported.
Zoroastrians seek to do good deeds, have good thoughts and use good words in their daily lives, according to BBC.
Music videos often enter a grey area because of their artistic depictions and flashy tactics to get more views. King isnt the first video that has misappropriated and misrepresented a religion and culture in the process.
The Parsi Zoroastrians Association of Kolkata, which represents a dwindling group of followers of the ancient monotheistic religion, is suing the musicians, YouTube and production companies responsible for the video. The group is petitioning to have the video King banned for its insensitivity, Shashank Bengali reported for the Los Angeles Times.
The music video shows Snoop Dogg smoking marijuana and Moghaddam, who performs under her first name, being fanned by scantily clad men under the Faravahar, an important symbol for Zoroastrians. These images are interspersed with shots of women pole dancing.
Darayas Jamshed Bapooji, president of the association, said Moghaddam should have known the video would be offensive because she is from Iran, where the religion originates and believers live.
We being such a small community, our heritage should not be looked down upon, Bapooji said in an interview. We are very proud people, we take pride in our religion and we cannot afford for anyone to do such things.
The Parsi Zoroastrians fled to India from Iran 1,000 years ago to avoid religious persecution, and adherents believe in one god who revealed the truth through the prophet, Zoroaster, BBC reported.
Zoroastrians seek to do good deeds, have good thoughts and use good words in their daily lives, according to BBC.
Music videos often enter a grey area because of their artistic depictions and flashy tactics to get more views. King isnt the first video that has misappropriated and misrepresented a religion and culture in the process.
