Dariush: Habib Did Not Surrender

Just a few months after the tumultuous days of 2009 and widespread protests in Iran, Habib Mohammadian, a beloved singer of several generations, announced his intention to return to his homeland Iran from the United States after years of exile due to work restrictions. This news stirred a commotion among Habib's fans and critics, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. Many were opposed to Habib's decision during those days, while others viewed it as a personal choice and a completely free right that any individual or artist could have in their life. The contentious issue was that everyone, whether they had memories of Habib's voice and works or knew him less, judged him. Despite all the discussions, Habib returned to Iran and made significant efforts to obtain a professional activity permit, even having to meet with some influential political figures. Ultimately, he faced numerous obstacles and could not secure permission to hold concerts or appear on authorized Iranian radio and television networks. Eventually, Habib, who was affectionately called by his fans as 'The Lonely Man of the Night' after his first album, bid farewell to life and his admirers at the age of sixty-four in a small town in northern Iran, which was his mother's birthplace. Even the holding of his memorial service in Tehran was prevented. On the occasion of the seventh day after Habib's passing, I approached Dariush, one of the most popular pop singers in Iran, who, like Habib, left Iran a few months after the 1979 Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, eventually reaching the United States and Los Angeles, known as the 'City of Angels'. This city has been referred to by the songwriter Shahyar Ghaniri as the 'City of Wingless Angels'. Listen to Dariush's views on Habib's return, public judgment, and the social responsibility of an artist.