From Ashura to Homeland: The Story of ‘Ey Iran’

Date: 07 July 2025 - 21:38

News ID: ۱۴۱۱۶۰

TEHRAN -- On the evening of Ashura, as millions across Iran gathered in mourning to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussein (AS), a quiet but powerful symbol of Iranian resilience and patriotism was renewed.
Among the mourners at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Husseiniyeh, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, attended alongside thousands of people from all walks of life.
Although he did not deliver a formal speech, his subtle interaction with prominent eulogist Mahmoud Karimi — requesting the recitation of a heartfelt verse — echoed the nation’s enduring spirit.
This spirit of steadfastness and love for the homeland is deeply reflected in another iconic expression of Iranian identity: the patriotic anthem “Ey Iran.”
Born during one of Iran’s darkest periods — the early years of the Iran-Iraq war — “Ey Iran” remains one of the most powerful and enduring songs in the country’s musical history.
The song’s creation was a collaboration of three extraordinary artists. Touraj Negahban, a poet and lyricist born in Ahvaz, wrote the lyrics with profound emotional depth and sincere patriotism. Unlike slogans or political rhetoric, Negahban’s words capture the soul of Iran with simplicity and passion:
“You remain in my soul and heart, O homeland...
Let the heart that does not tremble for you be trampled beneath feet.”
His poetry, full of heartfelt devotion and hope, was the foundation upon which the melody was built.
That melody was composed by Muhammad Sarir, a musician educated in both Iran and Vienna. Sarir’s composition is a delicate balance of heroism and tenderness, designed to resonate deeply without overcomplicating the emotional message. His music brings the words to life, making the anthem both accessible and profoundly moving.
The final, unforgettable element was the voice of Muhammad Nouri, whose warm, sincere singing transformed “Ey Iran” into a national treasure.
Nouri’s unique style fused traditional Persian music with influences from Western classical music, creating a timeless sound that spoke directly to the hearts of Iranians. His rendition felt less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation with the homeland.
“Ey Iran” was released in the early 1980s, amid the chaos of war and national uncertainty. But rather than a simple patriotic tune, it became a rallying cry for resilience and unity, echoing the very same spirit that can be felt in the gatherings of Ashura night — a spirit that refuses to surrender to domination, often encapsulated in the slogan “No to humiliation”.
Today, the anthem is woven into the cultural fabric of Iran. It is played at schools, national events, and even solemn religious ceremonies, where figures like Ayatollah Khamenei recognize its symbolic power as a voice of the nation’s enduring hope and strength.
The legacy of “Ey Iran” is not just in its melody or words, but in its embodiment of the Iranian spirit — a spirit that remains steadfast through trials, proud in identity, and forever singing for its homeland.