Fitilieh programme protests in Iran

{{Expand Azerbaijani|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox Civil Conflict

| title = 2015 Azerbaijanis protests in Iran

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| date=9 November 2015 – 11 November 2015

| place = Iran

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| causes = The children's program Fitilehha aired an episode on November 6 depicting an Azeri speaking Iranian brushing his teeth with a toilet brush.

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| result = Fitilehha has been cancelled, the head of the country’s state broadcaster apologized for the episode

| methods = Demonstrations

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The Fitilieh programme protests ({{Langx|fa|جنجال برنامه فیتیله|lit=Controversy of Fitilieh programme}}) started on 9 November 2015 after a segment of the children's television programme Fitileh, aired on 6 November on local state TV, depicted an Azeri speaking Iranian brushing his teeth with a toilet brush.

As a result, hundreds[https://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/?query=%22Iran%E2%80%99s+ethnic+Azeris+protest+slur+on+TV+program%22 Iran’s ethnic Azeris protest slur on TV program] // The Washington Post. — 2015. — 9 November. of people participated in demonstrations in Tabriz, Urmia, Ardabil, Zanjan and Tehran.[https://apa.az/en/asia-news/xeber_azerbaijanis_hold_mass_protests_in_iran_-234696 Azerbaijanis hold mass protests in Iran] // APA. — 2015. — 9 November. Police in Iran clashed with protesting people and fired tear gas to disperse crowds, with protesters being arrested.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34770537 Iran's Azeris protest over offensive TV show] // BBC. — 2015. — 9 November. There were also protests held in front of Iranian embassies in Istanbul and Baku.{{Cite web|title = Rage against Iran over 'inherent racism toward Azeris|url = http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/11/14/rage-against-iran-over-inherent-racism-toward-azeris|website = DailySabah|access-date = 2016-02-11}}

The head of the country’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Mohammad Sarafraz apologized for airing the program. The broadcast of Fitilehha was cancelled, after 12 years of airing.Frud Bezhan. [http://www.rferl.org/content/azeris-hold-protest-in-iran-over-racial-slur/27354275.html Azeris Hold Protests In Iran Over Racial Slur] // Radio Free Europe. — 2015. — 9 November.