Salam Farmandeh

Salām Farmāndeh also known as Salām Yā Mahdī is a religious anthem that pays homage to Imam al-Mahdi (a), intended for teenagers. It made its debut performance in the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom and has since been performed in various cities across Iran and different countries, translated into multiple languages. The music video for "Salam Farmandeh" is widely regarded as one of the most successful epic-religious anthems in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It portrays the notion of the savior of the end times.

The widespread popularity of this anthem can be attributed to several factors: its simplicity and applicability, the anthem's epic tone, combined with physical motions, the active participation of individuals during its performance, and the anthem's idealistic content, rooted in the culture of Mahdism. The publication of this anthem garnered significant attention from various media outlets worldwide. While it received praise and recognition, it also faced criticism from certain media outlets associated with opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Place and Significance

Gathering to perform "Salam Farmandeh" in Grand Mosalla mosque of Tehran

"Salam Farmandeh" (in English: "Hello Commander") is an adolescent music video that made its debut with the participation of several hundred Iranian children and teenagers. The video serves as a reminder of the concepts associated with Imam al-Mahdi (a) and the anticipation of his uprising, emphasizing the importance of preparing the path for his reappearance. After a while, the anthem gained significant popularity among children and teenagers in Iran, eventually evolving into a widespread movement both within the country and globally. "Salam Farmandeh" stands as the most prevalent anthem that references the awaited savior of the end times and has been reproduced in numerous languages worldwide. Its influence has paved the way for fostering motivational dynamics among Muslim children and teenagers across different countries.

Many individuals hold the belief that prior to the release of the "Salam Farmandeh" music video, there had been no song or melody with such direct religious content and orientation that could rapidly spread worldwide. It is widely regarded as one of the finest and most successful epic-religious anthems in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

According to reports, the "Salam Farmandeh" anthem faced a significant number of attacks from media outlets and networks associated with opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The criticism stemmed from its incorporation of concepts such as active anticipation of Imam al-Mahdi's reappearance, acceptance of wilaya (guardianship), reverence for the culture of martyrdom and self-sacrifice, love for the homeland, and opposition to colonialism. Despite the widespread negative criticisms, many people believe that this anthem has achieved international recognition and has become a central cultural core for sects associated with the awaited savior and Imam al-Mahdi (a).

In response to the "Salam Farmandeh" anthem, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressed that the people's deep reverence for Imam al-Mahdi (a) serves as an indication of their strong commitment to the Islamic faith and the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.

Reasons for Success

According to some analysts, the attraction and success of this anthem can be attributed to several factors, such as its simplicity, applicability, rhythmic form, and epic tone. Additionally, the anthem's passionate tone resonates deeply with listeners. In popular culture, the anthem's popularity is also linked to the integration of its epic tone with physical motions and active participation during performances. Furthermore, its ideal transcendent content, stemming from the culture of Mahdism, strikes a chord with children and teenagers, tapping into their innate nature and connecting with their pure and untouched souls.

Other factors contributing to the success and popularity of "Salam Farmandeh" may include the anthem's focus on seeking justice and the associated concepts, the integration of themes from the al-'Ahd Supplication, along with the seamless blending of emotions, epics, and poetry, the accessible tone of the poem used in the anthem, and the utilization of the iconic landscape of the Jamkaran mosque.

Reception in Iran

Gathering to perform "Salam Farmandeh" in Tehran's Azadi Stadium

"Salam Farmandeh" received widespread acclaim in Iran and was performed in various cities, including Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran, Qom, Ahvaz, Kish, Shahrekord, Semnan, Zanjan, Yazd, and Sanandaj. One notable event took place on May 26, 2022, at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, which has a capacity of 100,000 people. The performance of the "Salam Farmandeh" anthem drew an enormous crowd, with families coming together to participate. The number of attendees was so substantial that the stadium reached its full capacity, and many individuals were unable to enter, remaining outside the stadium gates.

Translations and International Performances

"Salam Farmandeh" has been reproduced and performed in various languages and countries. The anthem was sung in Arabic in Bahrain, Iraq, and Lebanon, as well as in Kurdish, Azeri, English, and Pakistani. Apart from Iran, the song was also performed in numerous other countries including Russia, Turkey, Myanmar, Georgia, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, England, France, the United States, Canada, and Tanzania. Notably, a group of Nigerian children fearlessly performed the anthem in the Hausa language, despite facing political pressures. As they sang, they held pictures of Imam Khomeini and Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

The translations of "Salam Farmandeh" in various languages bear a resemblance to the original Persian version in terms of both music and content, although they are not identical. In Iraq, two anthems were created: "Salami li-l-Qa'id" in formal Arabic and "Tahiyyiti wahda" in the informal Iraqi accent. The Bahraini rendition of the anthem, titled "Salam Ya Mahdi," exhibits slight differences in its music compared to the Persian version, but the lyrics underwent notable modifications. The Arabic rendition of this composition in Lebanon, performed under the title "Salam Ya Mahdi," received a positive reception both in Lebanon and in other countries.

Producers and the Production of the Anthem

The original Persian version of "Salam Farmandeh" was sung by Abudhar Ruhi, produced by Sa'id Sami'i, and the lyrics were composed by Sayyid Mahdi Bani-Hashimi Langarudi. The anthem was produced by the MAH Group (Millat-i Imam Husayn (a), literally the "Nation of Imam Husayn (a)"). Its inaugural performance took place in the Jamkaran Mosque, featuring two groups comprising 313 children and teenagers from Gilan and Qom. It is believed that the anthem was initially created in Langarud, located in Gilan Province, on March 18, 2022.

Furthur Readings

• Songtext Salam Ya Mahdi (a)