Elegy in the Islamic Republic: A Hybrid Art or a Soft Power Tool in the Hands of the Leader

An Article by Mehdi Beigi

?In his recent meeting with a group of elegists and eulogists in Tehran, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hailed them as one of the most critical components of the soft power wielded in Islamic society. Khamenei emphasized that the reliance on soft power has been the cornerstone of the country's strategy over the last 45 years. He stated, "We believe in having advanced weapons that match the needs of the country and are effective against the capabilities of the enemies, but we deeply believe that soft power, meaning intellectual, linguistic, and logical weapons, is more effective and should be expanded."

?Throughout his 34-year tenure as the leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei consistently praised the work of elegists and eulogists, convening a general meeting with them at least once a year. In recent years, with his support, these figures have evolved into political theoreticians and gained influence within political groups and government offices. Ayatollah Khamenei views these religious singers as a crucial part of a movement he terms the 'Jihad of explanation.' According to him, elegists and eulogists should engage in this Jihad of explanation with two important factors in mind: the ability to arouse hearts and the power to create movement. He encourages their involvement in significant political issues and events, including elections.

?Given the recent decline in voter turnout in Iranian elections, especially with the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for March 2024, Ayatollah Khamenei is mobilizing all available resources to encourage people to vote. In his meeting with elegists and eulogists, he issued a warning to non-voters, stating, "Elections are a duty, and anyone who opposes the elections has opposed the Islamic Republic and Islam." Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the role of these figures in explaining issues and motivating people to participate in the forthcoming election.

In Iran, ordinary elegists and eulogists, known as Maddahs, typically sing tragic songs in graveyards for the families of the deceased or chant tragic stories during the mourning month of Muharram to evoke mourning and earn a living. They are particularly active during the months of Muharram and Safar on the lunar calendar, coinciding with the death anniversary of key Shiite saints. Unofficial records from 2019 indicate that there are more than 300,000 elegists and eulogists in the country. Prominent figures in this field enjoy special attention from the Supreme Leader, considering them as celebrities of the Islamic Republic.

?These prominent elegists and eulogists, being close to the leader and IRGC commanders, serve as propaganda speakers for the regime, actively promoting ideologies such as the leader's desire for the destruction of Israel. They have also played a role in suppressing anti-regime protests, participating in the quelling of dissent.

Last year, the government-owned newspaper, Iran, published a 16-page special supplement about an elegist named Mahmoud Karimi, one of Khamenei's favorite elegists. Karimi is known for adapting melodies from Bollywood songs or those of Los Angeles-based Iranian pop singers, considered illegal by the Islamic Republic.

Last year in his meeting with elegists and eulogists, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to elegy and eulogy as a 'hybrid' art, stating, "The one who praises the sun praises himself." While welcoming the increase in the number of elegists in recent years, he asserted that this opportunity should be utilized by "the country, the system, and the revolution." This year, contrary to his previous statements, Ayatollah Khamenei has provided these elegists and eulogists with a clear agenda and tasks for the upcoming Parliament election.