"Salam Farmandeh" (Persian: سلام فرمانده, 'Salut O' Commander') is an Iranian song about Muhammad al-Mahdi with ideological, pro-state political and religious themes created for children and is mainly used for backing vocalist performance in large groups.[2][3]

"Salam Farmandeh"
Performing the anthem Salam Farmandeh in Azadi Stadium
Song by Abuzar Rouhi
Language	Persian
English title	Hello Commander[1]
Released	March 20, 2022 (2022-03-20)
Genre	Anthem
Length	7:38
Songwriter(s)	Sayyid Mahdi Bani Hashemi Langroudi
Producer(s)	Guilan IRIB TV

The song, a relatively long choir in the pop genre, was released in March 2022 just before the New Persian Year (Farvardin 1401) on social media and later received attention in April and May 2022. The song apparently is targeted for and highlights the contribution of the new generation (Daheye Navadiha, born in 90s in Iranian calendar, which are children born between 2011 and 2021) in supporting the Islamic Revolution and its ideology. Governmental organizations have been active in mobilizing school students to form choirs of the song in large groups, showcasing the largest one in Azadi Stadium.[4]

Cast

The singer who sang "Salam Farmandeh" is Abuzar Ruhi who performed it for Gilan IRIB TV, the music video of which was debuted in March 2022. The music video was recorded in Jamkaran Mosque, produced by Mehrane BehNahad and directed by Mahyar Talebi. The songwriter is Mahdi BaniHashemi.[5]

Mass performance at Azadi Stadium

On May 26, 2022, there has be a large gathering in Azadi Stadium and Sport Complex in Western Tehran and its surrounding areas [3] where some tens of thousands attended together with their children to perform the song in a choir orchestrated by the professional artists live. State media reported the gathering to be of 100,000 in size.[6]

Chanting in other locations

The song has been also chanted in small groups in countries other than Iran according to news outlets and published contents on social media.[7][8]

Some students singing this song in Kashmir and Lahore in Pakistan, Syria, and Istanbul in Turkey in Persian and Arabic in Nigeria.[9][10][11] The song was also produced in Azerbaijani; this version is 8 minutes long.[12]

Role during the Mahsa Amini protests

Mandatory performances of "Salam Farmandeh" by schoolchildren took place during the Mahsa Amini protests in October 2022.[13] On 13 October 2022 in Ardabil, students at the Shahed Girls High School were compelled to join a pro-government demonstration where they were to perform the song.[14] When a group of schoolgirls refused to participate, in protest of the death of Mahsa Amini, security forces were summoned to the school. The students were beaten and 10 of the girls were arrested. Another 12 girls had to be taken to Fatemi Hospital and one, Asra Panahi, died from her injuries.[15][16][17]

References