Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
RFL/RE – Gholamali Koveitipor, an Iranian singer known for his support of the Islamic government and whose military anthems were a significant part of the Islamic republic’s propaganda during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, has released a song critical of the crackdown authorities have waged in the face of months of unrest.
Released in tandem with the traditional mourning month of Muharram in Iran, Koveitipor’s new track strongly criticizes officials. One line in the song says, “Here, they’re decimating all the youths, brutally assaulting my honor, I swear by God and by this shattered land, there’s no place left for joy anymore.”
In a different part of the song, the lyrics state: “Inept leaders! It’s time for the era to reject you, it’s time to let go of your chair.”
In the wake of nationwide protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody for an alleged hijab violation, many Iranian artists and public figures have expressed their support for the demonstrations.
Iran’s Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry has taken a hard-line stance against protesting artists, repeatedly threatening them with a work ban because of their support for demonstrators rallying in support of human rights after Amini’s death.
Thousands of people, including protesters, journalists, lawyers, athletes, and artists have been arrested and at least 500 people killed in Iran’s brutal crackdown on the protests.
Earlier this month, rapper Toomaj Salehi, considered by many as the voice of the unrest that has rocked the country’s Islamic leadership for almost a year, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of “corruption on Earth” over tweets he posted supporting protesters.
Government officials have not commented on Koveitipor’s song.
