Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi Faces Fatwa for ‘Blasphemous’ Song
Shahin Najafi (Photo: Shahin Najafi/Facebook)
The Iranian rapper, Shahin Najafi, is in fear for his life following the release of a song called, Naqi.
The song title refers to the 10th Shia Imam, Ali Ibn Muhammad, also known as al-Naqi.
According to Shia tradition the Imam is the infallible spiritual leader of the Muslim community, directly descended from the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali.
Najafi’s reference to 10th Imam in a satirical song has sparked an outcry among religious conservatives in Iran, a predominantly Shia state.
Video: Shahin Najafi & Majid Kazemi’s “Naqi” (explicit Persian lyrics)
Lyrics:
Naqi, I swear on your sense of humor
On this exile that is far from [you]
On the great organ of life
That sits behind us in a threatening mode
Naqi, I invoke you on the length and width of sanctions
On the rising value of the dollar and the feeling of humiliation
Naqi, I swear on the cardboard Imam
On the baby who was saying “Ali!” while stuck in his mother’s womb
Translation: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty