Facing Repercussions: Iranian Singer Flogged for Raising His Voice

Mehdi Yarrahi is a 43 year old Iranian singer and activist. He is most famous for his song "Roosarito" which means "Your headscarf" that advocates for women's rights and hijab reform in the Islamic state. The song was released in 2023 during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests and was well received by the public, quickly garnering attention on the national level. Yarrahi's powerful lyrics stated, “Take off your scarf, the sun is sinking. Take off your scarf, let your hair flow," urging women to remove their hijabs and support the freedom movement. That same year, Yarrahi was accused of “releasing an illegal song that is against the morals and customs of Islamic society,” according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.

He was arrested four days after releasing "Roosarito". The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced the musician to two years and eight months in jail in addition to 74 floggings. According to CNN, "Flogging is a form of beating that involves a whip or rod and is commonly administered to the person’s back." It is a common punishment in Iran and can be applied to anyone stepping outside of the bounds of Islamic law.

Yarrahi is active on social media platforms such as X and Instagram, where he was over 1 million followers. At the time of his sentence, he released a post on X writing, "I am ready to receive the sentence of 74 lashes, and while I condemn this inhuman torture, I make no request to cancel it." His bravery and resolve in the face of pain is an inspiration to all Iranians today, during a time when punishments grow more draconian and tensions rise. Yarrahi demonstrates his solidarity to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement through his stoicism.

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