Marya Hawrami released the music video for her single Dlakam (My Heart) on Kurdmax TV's Youtube channel on August 10. The video garnered more than 1.1 million views in just four days.
In the audio recording released on Monday, Mullah Halo Hama Rashid, a cleric known for his inflammatory rhetoric, labels Marya a “whore” and a “prostitute” for her demeanor in the video.
He adds that "even a prostitute would feel ashamed” of Marya’s performance.
Rashid also describes the crowd of people dancing in the background of the video as “monkeys.”
The cleric’s comments sparked widespread outcry on social media, leading him to publish an audio apology via Facebook on Wednesday.
Rashid apologized for the public airing of the tape and the “inappropriate” language he used to describe Hawrami, but maintained that her performances are “against Sharia [Islamic law].”
"The audio message was for somebody in particular, not the public. I didn’t want for it to be published,” the Mullah said.
“My expressions against the lady went against tradition and Sharia,” he added.
"I regret what I said... this lady could resort to court procedure against me, and I am ready to appear before the court."
However, he maintained that he would do his “utmost to stand against such things that are against Sharia."
The head of the Sulaimani branch of the Kurdistan Scholars Union condemned the delivery of Rashid’s message, insisting it went against good scholarly conduct.
"In Islam, even if we make criticisms, they must be in line with those of our prophet,” Najmaldin Shamsawi told Rudaw.
"If we really want our criticisms be heard, we have to choose peaceful language,” Shamsawi said.
Mullah Rashid has been subject to a longtime ban by the KRG now due to his harsh language and "inappropriate criticisms," said Haji Ako, head of the Sulaimani Endowment Department.
However, he admitted they could do little about Rashid’s social media presence.
“We are responsible for any comments and sermons given from the mosques, and we do not allow inappropriate comments be made.”
“But when such things are published on social media, we are not responsible and cannot take any measures against them," Ako explained.
Hawrami, 30, is a graduate from the Music Department of the Sulaimani Fine Arts Institute. She has released five singles since beginning her music career in 2009.
Rudaw contacted Marya for comment, but she declined, saying that she is dealing with the issue privately with the support of her family.
