Mehdi Yarrahi

Mehdi Yarrahi (, born 14 November 1981 in Ahvaz) is an Iranian singer, musician, and activist living in Tehran.

He began his professional career in 2010.

At times, he has been banned from performing in public by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting due to the politically sensitive content of his songs and protests.

Yarrahi is known for his highly controversial works and is one of the very few artists who maintained a daringly close take on social developments within the Iranian community.

In 2014, Mehdi Yarrahi performed and released the single Azan with his own distinctive style and melody, which is considered as one of his most visited and popular tracks in the world and many people describe it “the most beautiful call to prayer ever heard”.

The Azan often goes viral and internet users show interaction as well-known figures sharing and admiring the Azan.

Raseef22 described it as "from Turkey to the America, he held the world enthralled by his melodious Azan while he is banned singing in his own country. Yes, we are talking about the Iranian artist and singer, Mehdi Yarrahi."

In 2017 Mehdi Yarrahi won the award for best pop album from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

In 2019 The Economist magazine reported the Iranian pop star challenges the regime with hit song criticizing Iran-Iraq war.

But after the video of the anti-war song “Pare Sang” (Broken Stone) in 2019 the regime thinks Mr Yarrahi is singing out of tune.

In the video the singer wears a Russian hat, English boots, an American overcoat adorned with military medals, an armband with a swastika on it and a [soldier's] plaque.

Devastating images appear around him: a man seems to have set himself on fire, buildings collapse and families queue at a dry tap.

"Don't know why I can't understand this, Why was there so much delay in ending the war?," Yarrahi sings in his video clip.

"Another generation gone to the war, with no return."

Etemad Daily reported that a few days after releasing the song, Yarrahi was banned from performing and publishing any of his works.

Raseef22 reported in 2020 a clip of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reshared widely on Turkish social media listening and enjoying this call to prayer.

Mohamed Hadid praised this performance, writing in his Instagram page: "needs no explanation. A beautiful voice calling you to pray. Mehdi Yarrahi is the voice of an angel."

Eric Abidal (a former Barcelona player and director), French Montana (Moroccan-American rapper), Sibel Can (Turkish singer), and Dida Diafat (a world champion in Muay Thai kickboxing) were some other well-known figures who attracted the attention of the internet users and media by posting Mehdi Yarrahi's Azan on their pages.

Raseef22 also mentioned the fact that Mehdi Yarrahi was banned from performing in his country due to his attitude and social activities, adding the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting even avoided mentioning the name of the singer when broadcasting the news about the song Azan published by a famous football player in his page.

In 2023 Iranian justice system opened a investigation case against Yarrahi for publishing a single Roosarito song without permit the song lyrics say "lose your scarf, laugh and be happy and protest against crying tear".

Justice system called it illegal, unethical

He was subsequently arrested.

A photo was released from arrest.

Farsnews published a piece that government must stop him and other celebrities promoting hijablessness.

PEN America called it a show of wild repression of freedom of expression.