Interview with Foad: Using music to increase awareness on the plight of Baha'is in Iran

by Kaw

Music has had a great significance in human culture, whether used in religious ceremonies, for educational purposes or for entertainment. But for young Foad, an Iranian Baha’i who was forced to flee the country after the intense persecution his family was subjected to, it’s a medium to voice anger at the violation of human rights, and raise awareness on the importance of taking action.

After featuring one of Foad’s songs at the Network. we were highly impressed and determined to give him an avenue to share his story. He kindly consented to an interview, and below is the text of it:

Q. For a start, can you give us a short introduction about yourself?

My name is Foad. I was born in one of the little towns of the Mazandaran province, which is located in Northern Iran in June 1987 (month of Khordad, year 1366 according to the Iranian calendar), but I was brought up in Tehran. Due to the numerous problems Baha’is face in furthering their education in Iran, I took refuge in Turkey when I was 16, and at the moment I am a student of electrical engineering in the USA. From the early years of my childhood, I have adored Iranian traditional music, and I play Persian musical instruments. However, at the moment I find that the Rap genre is best suited for me to express my inner feelings. My efforts are mostly focused on addressing the problems of religious and ethnic minorities – especially the Baha’is – through my songs.

Q. What inspired you to start singing?

These days, it is not easy to get things off your chest, or confide in someone about what goes on in your mind. Most of the people, when you talk to them about the breach of human rights in the world, they either don’t care or get bored. My personal idea is that through music, one could have a closer relationship with people and be more influential.

Q. Why did you choose rap and hip-hop over other music genres? What differentiates it?

There are many reasons for that, the most important being my own inner feelings, which are more about the problems I faced as a member of religious minority and the sadness of living away from my homeland in a lonely world. I wanted to speak out about all these issues in my songs. Using Hip-Hop, you have an opportunity to transfer most of what you want to say in the least time possible. The most important feature of Hip-Hop music is its being the language and the medium of opposition; it could be said that this music helped the African-Americans in Europe and the USA to liberate themselves from the chains of discrimination, and this is something that I find very inspirational.

Q. Do you feel at risk creating this music, which some may consider to be controversial?

I know I am not going to be personally threatened because of my music, as my songs are only meant to increase people