Middle East & Africa | An anti-ayatollah anthem

Iran’s repressive regime is being rocked by a song

“Baraye” lists 28 reasons why clerical rule is uncool

Iran schools

The protests against the shah of Iran were in their infancy in the autumn of 1978 when Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, a famous singer, stirred the hearts of millions with a song called “Jaleh Khoon Shod” (“The dew turned to blood”). It became an anthem of the revolution that soon toppled the monarch. “Bring down the reign of madness,” he crooned.

This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “A protest song rocks a theocracy”

What next? A special report on the world economy

From the October 8th 2022 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Middle East & Africa

Israeli-Palestinian-conflict-January-19

The start of a fragile truce in Gaza offers relief and joy

But the ceasefire is not yet the end of the war

Bottles of Pedro's premium Ogogoro

West African booze is becoming a luxury product

Female entrepreneurs are leading the charge


A Palestinian inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Al-Maghazi in Gaza

First, the ceasefire. Next the Trump effect could upend the Middle East

Will Israel and Donald Trump use the threat of annexation to secure a new grand bargain?


After 15 months of hell, Israel and Hamas sign a ceasefire deal

Donald Trump provided the X factor by putting heat on Binyamin Netanyahu, who insists the war isn’t over yet

A hidden refuge in Sudan that the internet, banks—and war—can’t reach

A visit to the Nuba mountains provides a glimpse into the future of the country

Violent jihadists are getting frustrated by the new Syria

Tipsy dancers, Christmas decorations, Shias and women’s rights are in the crosshairs