Toomaj Salehi: Truth teller, a voice that cannot be silenced.

 

Heather Joy, my co-author from our book, "Uprising: We are the revolution," writes a powerful plea to be a voice for imprisoned Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi.

Toomaj Salehi

Truth-teller: a voice that cannot be silenced.

“If you’re not in the fight {for freedom} with us, then don’t bother

fighting for my release.”

Heather Joy

 

     Toomaj woke up at the sound of his alarm. It was 8am in the beautiful city of Isfahan. Toomaj pulled back the covers, went to his closet, and picked out his outfit for the day. Then, he walked to the bathroom where he brushed his teeth and took a shower. Fifteen minutes later, he put on his clothes and walked to the dining room. He pulled out one of the chairs from the dining room table and put on his favorite pair of sneakers. Toomaj grabbed his keys and wallet before heading out to his day job where he worked as a welder at a metal factory. Although Toomaj was a top-notch employee and enjoyed the company of his fellow co-workers, his truest passion is music. His rap lyrics speak of the injustice and oppression that Iranians have suffered under such a corrupt and notoriously wicked regime.

 

     In addition to his musical career, Toomaj has maintained a strong social media presence. When you listen to his words, he makes you think about things from a different perspective. It is not surprising that Toomaj has a large following and thousands continue to be inspired by him. He is a strong leader and has a compassionate heart. I personally believe, deep in my heart, that Toomaj has a prophetic calling upon his life. He has yet to discover it but in due time, he shall step into it. On his personal accounts, he sought to bring encouragement to his fellow Iranians. He would stress the importance of unity and caring for one another. One day, I randomly stumbled upon one of his videos, and in it, Toomaj proclaimed that “this country is ours; it belongs to the people.” I decreed these exact words!!! What a prophetic confirmation to the things that the Lord has spoken to me, concerning Iran and her precious people! The land of Iran has been prophetically claimed for good things! Like Toomaj, many Iranians are trailblazers, who are forging a new path towards freedom.  Behind the scenes, I believe that the Living God is creating a new future for the Iranian people that is more glorious than what is seen in this current season of turmoil.

 

      As a prominent figure with a significant platform, media outlets would request interviews with him and Toomaj would often discuss the plight of his nation, the barbarity that Iranians have suffered and continue to endure, and ways in which people {or other nations} can stand in solidarity and press {with international pressure} for regime change. In one of his interviews with a Canadian news outlet, when asked about his thoughts regarding the regime, Toomaj boldly stated, “We are dealing with a mafia that is willing to kill the entire nation to keep their power, money, and guns.” Yet the regime has continued to fail in their efforts to silence Toomaj. Stretching all the way back to 2021, he would have encounters with security forces who wanted to confront him on the basis of his rap lyrics.

 

     The following year, they subsequently arrested him on January 12, 2022, charging him with “activities of propaganda, and inciting the Supreme Leader.” Toomaj’s sentence would be deferred for 6 months and he would be released on bail as his supporters condemned his arrest. During that six-month period, Toomaj was summoned to court but he skipped his court date to write another song entitled, “Tanabe Daar” {Gallows Noose} Toomaj continued to create more song lyrics and conduct more interviews until he was arrested on September 12, 2022. The IRGC traveled to the province of Chaharmahal {in Isfahan} and barged into Toomaj’s home, placing handcuffs on his wrists and shoving him outside to one of their vans. He faced the same charges but they would not stand. Nine days later, on September 21, 2022, the outcry of his supporters combined with increased international pressure led to his release, though it would be short-lived. After the unjust murder of Mahsa Amini, Toomaj joined his fellow countrymen in the streets. Between his rap lyrics, and joining the protests, the IRGC tried to paint Toomaj as a terrorist, saying “he’s a leader of the riots, and he incites violence.” I posit that the regime is fearful of truth-tellers like Toomaj. He is a leader but not in the way that he has been painted. Just a month later, Toomaj was re-arrested on October 30, 2022. They blind-folded him, placed handcuffs on his wrists, and shoved him back into one of their vans.  The state media claimed that Toomaj was fleeing the country in order to tarnish his reputation even further and paint him as not only a terrorist but a coward.

 

     Toomaj is no coward; he would not abandon his fellow Iranians as they continue to fight for freedom. After all, freedom is not a crime!

 

      On November 26, 2022, after he had been sitting in a prison cell for some time, the Revolutionary Court held Toomaj’s trial behind closed doors where he would face a different set of charges. His lawyer was barred from seeing him or providing any sort of legal defense. Instead, Toomaj was charged with “Moharebeh” {enemy of God} and corruption upon the earth. He is in imminent danger of being executed. As of this writing, his family has not heard from or spoken to Toomaj since his latest arrest. He is currently being held in Dastgard Prison where he has undergone severe physical and psychological torture. It has been over 100 days since Toomaj was placed in solitary confinement and he has wavered in and out of consciousness since the start of his sentence. His body has been wracked with pain. At this point in time, they have broken his ribs, making each breath nearly unbearable. They have broken one of his legs, leaving him unable to walk. Other injuries include a broken nose and fingers. Toomaj has also lost his eyesight in one eye. He has gone on a hunger strike to protest the unjust and downright cruel ways in which the regime continues to treat political prisoners.

 

     Security forces have denied Toomaj from receiving any level of medical care, of which he is in urgent need. They are doing everything they can to break his spirit but he continues to be strong in the face of it all. To fight for his life and not back down from speaking the truth, it must be noted that psychological torture is no joke. Though he is a freedom fighter and has a strong will to survive each hardship that is thrust upon him, he is also a human being. Toomaj is struggling with the battle going on in his mind. The mental scars he carries will require much healing. Toomaj knew the risks but he has always stood his ground. He exemplifies courage and truth is important to him. Do not believe any false confessions that the regime would seek to extract from him and use as another means to promote fear. I do not believe that he would compromise the truth. In this age and hour, every evil thing will be exposed and brought to the light. For close to four decades, the regime has set themselves up as “God.” However, in the {ongoing} fight for freedom, the people's courage and their bravery speaks more powerfully.

 

      Join in this fight for freedom, for freedom is worth fighting for. Be Toomaj’s voice, as he has been a voice for the voiceless and has inspired positive change all over the world.  As for this regime, they are being exposed for everything that they are and for everything that they stand for. Their time will soon come to an end!