Hawrami accepts mullah's apology after he visits her

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdish singer Marya Hawrami finally forgave known Mullah Halo Hama Rashid for using inflammatory language about the female pop star’s latest music video.

Hawrami said she made peace with the mullah after he visited her house.

“In light of Kurdish and Hawrami culture and family education, people who visit your home should be respected,” she said in a statement to the press. “I have therefore decided to accept Mullah Halo’s apology.”

Hawrami released the video for “Dlakam,” meaning “my heart,” earlier this month. In the video, she is seen dancing on a busy Sulaimani street with men and women. The video has more than two million views on YouTube.

The video was not out of the ordinary in Kurdistan, but Rashid called Hawrami a “whore” and a “prostitute,” and referred to the people dancing in the clip as “monkeys.”. 

The cleric’s criticism of the artist drew strong reactions on social media, dividing public opinion on the matter and angering Hawrami and her family. Rashid apologized for his “inappropriate” language.

“I regret what I said,” he said on Facebook.

However, the mullah also said Hawrami’s actions in the video went against shariah, or Islamic law.

The Hawrami family did not accept his apology at first.

However, on Monday Hawrami said in the statement that while Rashid’s words were “an unjust and painful attack,” she forgave him after he visited her to apologize in person. 

The singer also thanked her fans, the government and media for their “support and assistance,” which “elevated her will and morale further.”

Hawrami also said she takes into account societal customs in her musical work. 

“I have high respect for all religions and religious scholars in Kurdistan and contend that differences of opinion within this framework are natural,” she said.