A Voice That Reached the World from the Internet Blackout
At a time when Iran’s internet was shut down and the voices of protesters inside the country were barely being heard, an emotional video by Meraj, an Iranian rapper and artist, was released quickly becoming one of the most viral pieces of content related to the protests in Iran.
The video gained widespread attention not only on Persian-language social media, but also across international media outlets.
Meraj in Iran: Returning to a Country in Turmoil
Meraj, who has been living in London for years, had returned to Iran after a long time to attend to family matters a return that coincided with the peak of nationwide protests.
In his account, he speaks about the contrast between southern and northern Tehran, noting that poverty, economic pressure, and social dissatisfaction were no longer limited to a specific class and had spread across nearly the entire society.
“Everyone was talking about eggs and potatoes… even basic necessities had become a luxury.”
Calls to Protest and the Night of Demonstrations: Tehran at 8 p.m.
With the announcement of protest calls, Tehran took on a completely different atmosphere.
Meraj describes a night when, precisely at 8 p.m., crowds from different neighborhoods began moving toward designated locations coordinated movements that required no online communication.
Niavaran Streets: A Silent Unity Among the People
In Niavaran, families, elderly people, young adults, and even children had taken to the streets together.
According to Meraj, a shared feeling filled the air:
- Exhaustion from repression
- Suppressed anger
- And hope for change
The chant “Death to the Dictator” echoed through the crowd, and the scene felt more like a massive popular march than a scattered protest.
Internet Shutdown and the Beginning of the Crackdown
With the complete shutdown of the internet, communication among people and with the outside world was reduced to almost zero.
Routes were blocked, security forces systematically split crowds apart, and the city gradually became more heavily securitized.
Meraj says that although he did not witness widespread violence on the first night, in the days that followed he began hearing shocking reports of arrests, killings, and the disappearance of protesters.
Terrifying Accounts of Arrests and Killings
Once limited phone connections were restored, Meraj received accounts he describes as “unbelievable” from morgues and families identifying bodies, to teenagers being tortured in detention centers.
The country smells of blood… that’s what one of my friends told me.
Leaving Iran: A Flight Costing 75 Million Tomans
At a time when many international flights had been canceled, Meraj was only able to leave Iran via a domestic Iranian flight, at an extremely high cost, eventually making his way to Turkey.
It was there that he recorded his now-famous video a video filled with grief, anger, and helplessness, which quickly became a symbol of the silenced voice of the Iranian people.
Global Coverage: From Iran International to NBC and Sky News
Following the video’s viral spread, Meraj was interviewed by Iran International, NBC in the United States, and Sky News.
He became one of the first voices to convey a firsthand account of the protests to global media after Iran’s digital blackout.
Disputes, Controversies, and Misinterpretations
Alongside widespread support, Meraj also faced waves of attacks, misrepresentation of his words, and accusations.
He emphasizes that his goal was neither fame nor promoting a specific political agenda, but solely to reflect the voice of the Iranian people.
In his view, division, hate, and attempts to silence one another are exactly what the authorities benefit from.
A Final Message: A Future Built on Democracy
Meraj concludes with a core principle:
- Iran belongs to all Iranians, regardless of religion, beliefs, or political views and its future can only be built through democracy, free choice, and mutual respect.
We rise up so this violence can end not so we can repeat it in another form.
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