#RandomThoughts: Reflecting Upon the Life of an Iranian Icon-Mohammad Reza Shajarian

Mike Pouraryan
2 min readOct 9, 2020

I had been working away on projects and commitments at the Daily Outsider over the ensuing days. I decided to dedicate this special #RandomThoughts to an Iranian Icon: Mohammad Reza Shajarian who passed away — a legend in every which way.

Ostaad Shajarian was one of Iran’s Modern Icons and was laid to rest in his birthplace of Mashhad in line with his wishes to be laid to rest next to the great Ferdowsi. He was beloved by all. In the aftermath of the 2009 Green Movement, he stepped up to be with the people and was banned by a Regime whose officials was stepping over themselves to extend condolences on his passing. It was so irritating to be witness to — I noted this in a response as a simple ordinary face in a tweet to Rouhani’s Deputy.

As news of his death spread throughout Tehran, the people came out in front of the hospital and began by shouting slogans like “Death to Dictator”. Iranian officials deployed security forces to deal with the people as the people also sang his iconic songs as a tribute to him. They were so nervous that they slowed down the internet out and about Tehran as reported by NetBlocks late yesterday:

His Son, Homayon, — a iconic performer in his own right — was so gracious as he left it up to the people to express their love…

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Mike Pouraryan

Teacher, Writer/Blogger, Consultant, Community Activist, Dad