BAGHDAD — At a recent festival, the Iraqi National Troupe of Folk Art wanted to pay homage to the liberation of Mosul through a special dance in the presence of 1,600 people, but some politicians who thought dancing was incompatible with Islam simply got up and walked out.

The walkout happened while the troupe performed a dance representing the liberation of Mosul from the Islamic State during the ceremony on the 62nd anniversary of the founding of Iraqi cinema in Baghdad on Aug. 16. In July of this year the Iraqi forces liberated Mosul, which was held by IS since 2014.

Such snubbing toward dancing is not uncommon in Iraq. Fouad Zanoun, the director of the troupe, told Al-Monitor, “Some prominent politicians and officials who attend festivals leave as soon as the troupe starts performing as they believe this is in direct conflict with religious and social norms.”

In a country like Iraq, governed by strict religious customs and traditions and where conservative Islamist parties are influential, the work of the Iraqi National Troupe of Folk Art is seen as an important cultural step to break the taboo of dancing, which is regarded as haram, or immoral, on religious grounds. “Many people who are educated and culturally aware praise and support the troupe as an artistic and cultural band,” Zanoun said.