Iran state TV fires managers over ‘insult’ to Sunni Muslims

Iranian state TV has fired two channel managers over a live program deemed insulting to Sunni Muslims, it said in a statement Sunday.

The sackings at Channel 5 came after a broadcast on May 20 celebrating the birthday of the second imam in Shiite Islam, Hassan ibn Ali.

During the program, religious chanter and story-teller Ahmad Qadami recited a eulogy that “insulted the sanctities of Sunni Muslims,” according to official news agency IRNA.

“Following the negligence of airing an irreverent chanter’s speech on Channel 5, the channel’s head and broadcast manager were fired,” state TV’s website quoted head manager Abdolali Aliaskari as saying.

The channel’s senior producer, program manager and video supervisor were also fired, TV deputy head Morteza Mirbagheri told semi-official news agency ISNA.

According to IRNA, the chanter was summoned by Iran’s culture and media court on Sunday and further investigations into his case are pending.

Iran is a Shiite powerhouse, but under the country’s constitution, Sunnis - who account for around 10 percent of the population - are “free to perform their religious rites according to their religious jurisprudence.”