CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Protests have been happening all over the world after a 22-year-old woman died in Iran.

Mahsa Amini was detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, known as a hijab, correctly. Amini died Sept. 16 in morality police custody, and Iran’s government insists she was not abused in their custody.

The situation has outraged and saddened many in the Iranian community.

The Music of Persia event on Friday is a celebration of Iranian culture, and it also lines up with Mehregan, a Persian festival that marks the start of autumn. The event is now also a way for the community to remember Amini through traditional Persian music.

“We have similar instruments. We have similar expressions. We have all the same emotions, and we are all connected in this respect. It just might look a little different,” Hamin Honari, a musician with the Music of Persia, said.

On Thursday, Honari and three other musicians spent time rehearsing for the event.

Honari is one of several artists who traveled hundreds of miles from Canada to showcase music that’s traditional to Iran.

“These are very different exotic-sounding instruments maybe for people in America,” Honari said.

The event is a way to bring people together through the universal language of music.

“You listen to their music and you try their food — these are things that are really easy to share. When you show the history of your music, you can share the history of your people. You can say this music developed over a long time. These people have been around for many centuries,” Honari said.

It wasn’t planned this way, but the event is happening after Amini’s death.

“I think one thing that we all agree on, no matter what your beliefs or what your political views are, is that human life is precious. Everyone hurts when someone dies,” Honari said.“I think one thing that we all agree on, no matter what your beliefs or what your political views are, is that human life is precious. Everyone hurts when someone dies,” Honari said.

There has been a lot of conflict in Iran since Amini’s death and still a lot of questions left unanswered.

“All the musicians are constantly getting updates. There’s a lot of news but a lot of scattered pieces of information, and it takes an emotional toll. You definitely see that in the music,” Honari said. "I wish I had a crystal ball where I could tell you and hope that everything works out and OK, and the best happens for everyone. I honestly don’t know. I’m not an expert in politics, and I guess I’m just taking it one day at a time like everyone else."

Honari says the recent events can be especially hard to deal with when you still have such close connections to your homeland.

“I’m a little emotional because even though I’m so far away, I still feel everything that everyone is feeling. This concert is in memory of Mahsa Amini and we wish for the best for everyone in Iran, ” Honari said. "It’s honestly I think difficult to process for some people, but I think was important for people in Iran to know that their story gets out and people can connect with that directly."

These four artists are using their musical talents to remember Amini the best way they know how.

“Music is a great healing tool for everyone. I’m so thankful to have music and to have this connection with the music community, ” Honari said.

Music of Persia is Friday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at UNC’s Sonja Hayes Stone Center. Before the event, UNC’s Persian Cultural Society is hosting a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m.

The concert features Saeed Farajpoori as composer and kamancheh, Amir Koushkani on tar, Honari on percussion and Raha Yousefi singing. 

For tickets, visit the Music of Persia ticketing website.