Morteza Najafipoor Moghaddam ( fa, مرتضی نجفیپور مقدم; born 1980), better known as Shahin Najafi ( fa, شاهین نجفی), is an Iranian musician, singer, composer, poet, author, and political activist.
Najafi's songs mostly deal with issues such as
theocracy
Theocracy is a form of government in which one or more deity, deities are recognized as supreme ruling authorities, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries who manage the government's daily affairs.
Etymology
The word theocracy origina ...
, poverty,
sexism
Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but it primarily affects women and girls.There is a clear and broad consensus among academic scholars in multiple fields that sexism refers primari ...
,
censorship
Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments ...
,
child labor
Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. Such e ...
, execution,
drug addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use of ...
and
homophobia
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitude (psychology), attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, h ...
. In interviews, he has stated that he strives to use poetic, literary, philosophical and political elements in his music.
Early life
Shahin Najafi was born in 1980 in
Bandar-e Anzali
Bandar-e Anzali ( fa, بندرانزلی, also Romanized as Bandar-e Anzalī; renamed as Bandar-e Pahlavi during the Pahlavi dynasty) is a city of Gilan Province, Iran. At the 2011 census, its population was 144,664.
Anzali is one of the mos ...
, Iran. When he was six years old, his father died, and later his brother became a drug addict and also died.
He began writing poetry as a teenager and began learning the guitar in the
classical and
flamenco
Flamenco (), in its strictest sense, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and ...
styles at the age of 18. He then became an underground artist in
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
, performing in both rock and
Spanish music
In Spain, music has a long history. It has played an important role in the development of Western music, and has greatly influenced Latin American music. Spanish music is often associated with traditional styles such as flamenco and classical ...
styles, working with various bands.
He studied sociology at the
University of Gilan
The University of Guilan ( fa, دانشگاه گیلان, ''Danushgah-e Gilân'') is an institute of higher education and graduate studies in Rasht, a large city in the province of Guilan, in Northern Iran, bordering the Caspian Sea.
It has near ...
and openly expressed his opinions about the university, leading to him getting expelled.
Music career
Immigration to Germany
Najafi was head of an underground music band in
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
before his immigration to Germany, but he was banned for his offenses towards the Islamic faith in Iran by the
Iranian government
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran ( fa, نظام جمهوری اسلامی ایران, Neẓām-e jomhūrī-e eslāmi-e Irān, known simply as ''Neẓām'' ( fa, نظام, lit=the system) among its supporters) is the ruling state a ...
after his second music show.
He was also the head of the Inan music band in Germany. Then he joined the Tapesh 2012 music band.
Tapesh 2012 were welcomed by Persian broadcasters and the international media by political and social songs and poems of Najafi.
An article published in No. 19194 of the conservative newspaper ''
Kayhan'' on 29 September 2008 criticized Tapesh 2012's activities. ''Kayhan'' published the article titled ''Establishing democracy with drum & circle''. A part of it goes as follows:
Release of first studio album
On 1 May 2008, Najafi released his first studio album, ''Ma mard nistim'' (We Are Not Men), with partnership and composition of the Tapesh 2012 music band. This album was his official and professional beginning in
Persian hip hop
Iranian hip hop ( Persian: هیپهاپ ایرانی), also known to as Persian hip hop (هیپهاپ فارسی), refers to hip hop music developed in Iran (Persia) and in Persian language. It is rooted in American hip hop culture, but i ...
music. The album attracted the audience and listener more than any album before it was released in
Persian hip hop
Iranian hip hop ( Persian: هیپهاپ ایرانی), also known to as Persian hip hop (هیپهاپ فارسی), refers to hip hop music developed in Iran (Persia) and in Persian language. It is rooted in American hip hop culture, but i ...
style.
Separation from Tapesh 2012
Najafi ended cooperation with Tapesh 2012 from the beginning of 2009. A variety of reasons have been proposed related to his separation from this group. The main reason is releasing the "Around us" single song in
Voice of America
Voice of America (VOA or VoA) is the state-owned news network and international radio broadcaster of the United States of America. It is the largest and oldest U.S.-funded international broadcaster. VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content ...
TV without permission. The supervisor of Tapesh 2012 later apologised to Najafi and stated: the song has been inadvertently released in
Voice of America
Voice of America (VOA or VoA) is the state-owned news network and international radio broadcaster of the United States of America. It is the largest and oldest U.S.-funded international broadcaster. VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content ...
TV. Najafi accepted the apology.
Reaction to the 2009 Iranian presidential election
After the
Iranian election protests, Najafi released a single named ''Neda'' in July 2009 dedicated to
Neda Agha-Soltan
Neda Agha-Soltan ( fa, ندا آقاسلطان – ''Nedā Āghā-Soltān''; 23 January 1983 – 20 June 2009) was an Iranian student of philosophy, who was participating in the 2009 Iranian election protests with her music teacher, an ...
, an activist killed during the protests. He released his second studio album titled ''
Tavahhom'' (Illusion) on 19 September 2009 by the German-Iranian publishing house "Pamas-Verlag". In this album, several songs are about the intense protests against the
Iranian government
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran ( fa, نظام جمهوری اسلامی ایران, Neẓām-e jomhūrī-e eslāmi-e Irān, known simply as ''Neẓām'' ( fa, نظام, lit=the system) among its supporters) is the ruling state a ...
and the political oppression that occurred after the presidential election.
Can be cited to "Vaghti khoda khabe (When God is asleep)" through these songs. The song's lyrics protest the
2009 Iran poll protests trial, militia violence, the use of torture on prisoners and the
Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran ( fa, رهبر ایران, rahbar-e irān) is the List of heads of state of Iran, head of state of the Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran. The Supreme Leader directs the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, executiv ...
.
Formation of Antikarisma
He formed a new rock band as Antikarisma band in January 2010. The new band, Antikarisma, consists of Najafi, Babak Khazaei, Armin Mostaed, and Pejman Afshari, who live in Germany.
Fatwas and death threats
Following the release of the song "Ay Naghi!" ("Hey, Naghi!"),
Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani, a then 93-year-old
Shi’ite
Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his successor (''khalīfa'') and the Imam (spiritual and political leader) after him, most ...
cleric based in
Qom, issued a
fatwa
A fatwā ( ; ar, فتوى; plural ''fatāwā'' ) is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law (''sharia'') given by a qualified '' Faqih'' (Islamic jurist) in response to a question posed by a private individual, judge or government. A jurist i ...
death sentence against Najafi for
apostasy
Apostasy (; grc-gre, ἀποστασία , 'a defection or revolt') is the formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person. It can also be defined within the broader context of embracing an opinion that i ...
.
*
*
*
*
* Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, a "source of emulation" for many
Shia
Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest Islamic schools and branches, branch of Islam. It holds that the Prophets and messengers in Islam, Islamic prophet Muhammad in Islam, Muhammad designated Ali, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his S ...
Muslims, also issued a
fatwa
A fatwā ( ; ar, فتوى; plural ''fatāwā'' ) is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law (''sharia'') given by a qualified '' Faqih'' (Islamic jurist) in response to a question posed by a private individual, judge or government. A jurist i ...
declaring Najafi guilty of
apostasy
Apostasy (; grc-gre, ἀποστασία , 'a defection or revolt') is the formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person. It can also be defined within the broader context of embracing an opinion that i ...
. As of 15 May 2012, more than 800 people in Iran had joined a Facebook campaign calling for Najafi to be executed, saying they were ready to assassinate him if necessary. An Iranian web site, Shia-Online.ir, offered a US$100,000 bounty to anyone who killed Najafi.
In May 2012, the online site HonareNab.ir posted an online "Shoot the Apostates" flash computer game inviting people to shoot and kill Najafi. "Those who love Imam Hadi can practice killing Shahin Najafi by playing this flash game," said Honar Nab Eslam, who developed the game.
On 25 May 2012, Shiite cleric
Ahmad Alamolhoda
Sayyid Ahmad Alamolhoda (also Alam Olhoda or Alam al-Hoda; fa, احمد علمالهدی; born September 1, 1944) is an Iranian Shia Islamic cleric who has been described as "senior" and "ultra conservative" and "hardline." His rank has been g ...
demanded a plan to execute Najafi.
In June 2012, forty authors of the Rah-e Nikan religious publishing house promised to give royalties from their books to whoever killed Najafi.
The song has drawn sharp anger from protesters who believe it is offensive towards
Imam Naghi, the 10th Imam in Shi’ite Islam.
In an interview,
Najafi stated that he was inspired by "
The Campaign to Remind Shiites about Imam Naghi" to compose the song. The campaign is a Facebook page that pokes fun at Islamic, and specifically Shi'ite,
hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval ...
s, with members creating fake, funny hadiths and stories centered around a fictional character named Naghi, who is based on Imam Naghi.
2012 US tour
Najafi started a United States tour in 2012, starting with a talk on 30 September, and later a concert on 16 November at
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant u ...
, events sponsored by Iranian Student Alliance in United States of America. He continued the tour in
UC San Diego
The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego or colloquially, UCSD) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Insti ...
on 18 November.
Political and social activities
In addition to individual work in his concerts and campaign songs, Najafi had many performances on various political and social occasions. In October 2008, he had a music show on "Peace Conference" in Germany.
In August 2009, with some poets and writers in shows of ""Night of solidarity with the liberal struggle"", Najafi had a protest rock show in
Stockholm
Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
, Sweden.
In December 2009, coinciding with "Student Day" in Iran, Najafi with Ziba Shirazi had a protest music show at
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private university, private research university in the Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded by Bishop John Carroll (archbishop of Baltimore), John Carroll in 1789 as Georg ...
, Washington, D.C.
Discography
Albums
* ''
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, which can reveal how the mind normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. Although illusions distort the human perception of reality, they are generally shared by most people.
Illusions may o ...
'' (2009)
* ''
The Year of Blood'' (2010)
* ''
Hich Hich Hich'' (2012)
* ''
Tramadol
Tramadol, sold under the brand name Ultram among others, is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. When taken by mouth in an immediate-release formulation, the onset of pain relief usually begins within an h ...
'' (2013)
* ''
Sade
Sade may refer to:
People
* Marquis de Sade (1740–1814), French aristocrat, writer, and libertine
* Sade (singer) (born 1959, Helen Folasade Adu), British Nigerian musician and lead singer of the eponymous band
* Sade Baderinwa (born 1969), WAB ...
'' (2015)
* ''
Radikal
''Radikal'' () was a daily liberal Turkish language newspaper, published in Istanbul. From 1996 it was published by Aydın Doğan's Doğan Media Group. Although Radikal did not endorse a particular political alignment, it was generally considered ...
'' (2017)
* ''
Jens Sevom'' (2019)
* ''
Sigma
Sigma (; uppercase Σ, lowercase σ, lowercase in word-final position ς; grc-gre, σίγμα) is the eighteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of 200. In general mathematics, uppercase Σ is used as ...
'' (2022)
With Tapesh 2012
* ''
We Are Not Man'' (2008)
EP
* ''
1414
Year 1414 ( MCDXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
January–December
* January 7
Events Pre-1600
*49 BC – The Senate of Rome says that Caesar will ...
'' (2014)
* ''
chel'' (2020)
Live
* ''
Meta Phrygian'' (2017)
Instrumental
* ''
The Sacred and The Violence'' (2019)
Single tracks
* ''Shaere tamam shodeh''
* ''Vaghti keh''
* ''Mahdi''
* ''Bega Mega''
* ''Naghi''
* ''Istadeh mordan''
* ''Too halgham''
* ''Period''
* ''Marg Nazli (The death of Nazli)''
* ''Maman''
* ''Eedam (The Execution)''
* ''Sha'aban''
* ''Sane''
* ''To Azam Badet Miad''
* ''Sharre Azam''
* ''Ba Ma''
* ''Vatan''
* ''Enghelabe Tafakor''
* ''Ham Ghafas''
* ''Kobani''
* ''Mamad Nobari''
* ''Fasle Darya''
* ''Neda''
* ''Palange Zakhmi''
* ''Enkar''
* ''Pishe Ghazio Mallagh Bazi''
* ''Amoo Norooz''
* ''Bbbbc''
* ''Salam''
* ''Proletariat''
* ''Ay Leili''
* ''Shahinam''
* ''Blue''
* ''Shayad''
* ''Beh Name to''
* ''Barkhiz''
* ''Ba mohayam''
* ''Masikh''
* ''Bawaasir''
* ''Aman''
* ''Tabar''
* ''Belam''
* ''Shivan''
* ''Seyl''
* ''Akharin Booseh''
* ''Tamam''
* ''Parvaz''
* ''Dictatorie Amameh''
* ''Sookhtam''
* ''Iran''
* ''Pedar''
* ''Maryam''
Movie
Till Schauder
Till Schauder (born 1971), is a German-born American filmmaker, film director, screenplay writer, film producer, actor and film instructor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and co-producer, Sara Nodjoumi.
Early life
Schauder was bor ...
released a documentary called ''
When God Sleeps'' based on the life of Najafi, with the production of Sara Nodjoumi. ''
The Hollywood Reporter
''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' puts it in a report on the film between the 23 films at the
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by TriBeCa Productions, Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive progra ...
.
The film is made in 88 minutes in German, Persian and English, and is in the midst of a 2015 terrorist attack. The film is about the details of Shahin's life and, in general, the fatwa of apostasy and life under the shadow of this fatwa.
Books
* ''When the God is Asleep''
* ''Azazel''
* ''Bitrex''
* ''Tara Ensan''
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Najafi, Shahin
1980 births
Living people
Critics of Islam
Former Muslims
Iranian atheists
Iranian activists
Iranian blues singers
Iranian guitarists
Iranian male writers
Iranian rappers
Iranian rock musicians
Iranian songwriters
21st-century guitarists
Iranian hip hop musicians
People from Bandar-e Anzali
Iranian emigrants to Germany
21st-century Iranian male singers
People charged with apostasy in Iran