Anniversary of Mahsa: Iranian Artists Speak of 'A Year of Pain, Anger, Longing, Grief, and Hope'

The killing of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police sparked widespread protests across Iran that quickly spread throughout the country. Following the violent crackdown by the Islamic Republic, many protesters were killed and injured, and government forces arrested thousands. During this period, many Iranian artists both inside and outside the country expressed their solidarity with the Iranian freedom movement through various means, criticizing the repressive policies of the Iranian government with the slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom.' Several of these artists and prominent activists abroad shared their views on the events in Iran in interviews with Voice of America on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a human rights activist and former Miss Canada, stated: 'As an activist fighting for human rights and freedoms for the past 20 years, the past year has been one of deep pain and suffering for all victims and their families, as well as an unprecedented year full of hope. The light at the end of the tunnel is exciting; the overthrow of this savage theocratic regime and witnessing freedom and democracy on the horizon after 44 years of oppression and tyranny.' She continued: 'The death of Mahsa Zhina Amini sparked the revolution of Women, Life, Freedom in Iran, and there will be no return to yesterday. Zhina awakened a dormant crowd with renewed belief and hope, along with a wave of energy and inspiration to join the revolution. Iranians sacrificed their lives for freedom and made the global community, including politicians, aware that now Iranians are not seeking reforms but want a complete regime change.' Elnaz Norouzi, an Iranian-German artist residing in India and a well-known figure in Bollywood and Hollywood, said: 'The death of Mahsa Amini brought a nation to the streets, not just for this young girl, but for all those living inside and outside Iran who suffer daily from the injustices of this murderous regime.' She added: 'There is not a day that we do not remember the lost lives and pay tribute to them. We pray for a better tomorrow and for justice for the loved ones of these fallen angels.' Maz Jobrani, an Iranian actor and comedian, expressed: 'I truly hope that the movement that began last year with the brutal killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini, which expanded greatly, will have a positive outcome and lead to the freedom of women and the people of Iran.' Hamid Saidi, a musician, composer, and Grammy winner, remarked: 'To be honest, throughout my life, my views on fundamental life issues have changed so much, and I have gained so much experience from these changes that I know the only way for us to have freedom, a better life, and a brighter future for our children is to focus on our common viewpoints and ignore our differences and disagreements.' He continued: 'The year filled with pain, anger, longing, grief, and of course hope was another witness to the necessity of standing firm, unity, and mutual understanding among us people, as well as our need to overlook the differences in political and social orientations of our fellow companions. Generally, for Iranian society, I see no escape from reaching awareness and light and the fall of the regime of darkness. The dawn is near, perhaps tomorrow... or in a few tomorrows.' Kaveh Yaghmaei, a singer, musician, and composer, said: 'Our suffering and pain are shared, but the dark era will always come to an end. Awareness and courage for achieving freedom surge within us, especially the new generation of Iran. Together, without regard to the problems and differences of yesterday, today, and ahead, we will free Iran.' Soheila Matlabi, a musician and master of Iranian music, stated: 'As a musician, after more than thirty years playing in the hearts of my people, I have concluded that music and sound are sacred tools for transforming energy from a surface level to a higher level, and a true artist acts as a bridge, a connector of that energy, and their musical instrument is the sacred tool of this connection.' She added: 'Thus, every day and every night, I play hopefully for peace and friendship, for establishing tranquility on Earth, and for the absence of pain and suffering for people, to elevate knowledge, kindness, and awareness in the world. In hope of brighter days and in memory of Mahsa and the Mahsas who were and were not, who are a bright beginning for establishing global peace.' Mansour, an Iranian singer, said: 'The Islamic Republic is a group of thugs and uneducated people who have taken a simple and oppressed nation hostage with a rusty religious formula, robbing people in the name of God and religion. They run the country like a mafia, and only those who serve them embezzle and profit, leaving millions of Iranians behind with an uncertain, miserable future, living in the worst conditions as if in hell.' He added: 'We all live in hope of a brighter tomorrow, but the Islamic Republic has painted a very dark scenario for this nation, and it is the duty of the people to change this painting. The people of Iran deserve the best, and with effort and unity, they can achieve the ordinary life that all people in the world enjoy. Dear people, this path is clear, and the overthrow of the Islamic Republic with your unity is definitely achievable.' Nackta Pahlavan, an actress, writer, and director, said: 'Mahsa is the beginning of a free Iran after years of darkness and oppression, and the revolution of Women, Life, Freedom is our anthem of solidarity for an Iran that we once dreamed of but today is a woman pregnant with the imminent birth of that dream.' Justina, an Iranian rapper, said: 'The revolution of Women, Life, Freedom is considered one of the most impactful events in the world and holds great significance. Personally, I have been profoundly influenced by this movement over the past year, and it has given me the courage and audacity to break taboos.' Metal Sanaz, a music program host and producer, stated: 'Mahsa showed the whole world what a real woman with a heart of a lion is capable of. She taught us all what real action and making a difference mean. The name Mahsa Amini will always represent Women, Life, Freedom for future generations; I believe in the victory of this revolution and the end of the Islamic Republic.' Niloufar Farzandshad, a pianist, composer, and songwriter, said: 'Humans have the right to choose and must strive to achieve all their human rights. Our people have endured the hard years of war and the dark era of tyrannical and oppressive government rule with dignity, but there is no longer any room for endurance left.' She added: 'Rights must be claimed, and the only way is for all our honorable and freedom-seeking people, both inside and outside Iran, to unite. We will never forgive what has been done to us.' On the anniversary of Mahsa, the U.S. sanctioned 25 Iranian individuals, three state-affiliated media outlets, and one internet company. The statement from the U.S. President on the anniversary of Mahsa: 'We will remain committed to standing with the people of Iran.' Molavi Abdolhamid: 'The awakening of the Iranian nation is the beginning of victory; the killing of Mahsa was painful for all people.' New sanctions from Britain against the Islamic Republic; James Cleverly: 'Our support for the women of Iran continues.' Two members of Sarina Saeedi's family were arrested in Sanandaj; the U.S.: 'The regime cannot intimidate the people of Iran.' Human Rights Watch: 'The Islamic Republic has intensified the repression of civil society.' Widespread deployment of government forces on the anniversary of Mahsa; 'The revolution is brewing beneath the surface of the city.'