INFORMAL with Mohamad Mohebian, Part 2: "Habib Between Iran and America"
Many know Mohamad Mohebian or simply "Mohamad" for his best selling Persian pop hit "Javuni" (Youth) performed with famed Iranian singer Habib Mohebian (Mohamad's father). In Part 1 of the interview, Mohamad talked about his life, songs, collaborations and relationship with his father. He also shared his bitter sweet experiences in Iran. In this Part he talks about Habib's trip to Iran and his current situation:
Kodoom.com: Why did Habib go to Iran; and why did you follow?
Mohamad Mohebian: Habib was yearning to be back in Iran for a very long time, he missed his homeland and saw no reason not to be able to work there. He was also tired of the Persian entertainment business in Los Angeles as explained in part 1 of the interview (fraudulent breach of our contract by Concerto, etc.). The last song and album he released before his move to Iran was called 'Iran Banu' (Lady Iran), which was sung for his motherland. Some have mistaken the meaning of this song, and think it was meant for Habib's mother, but the lyrics and video make it pretty clear that it was for his motherland, his lady, Iran, the place he had been yearning for from the time he had left. He also had a chance to make a video over his mothers resting place with the actual song "Madar" or 'Mother' that he made for his mother, as shown below:
It was about three years ago when Habib made a song at his friends (Andy G's) studio in Los Angeles for the war heroes who sacrificed their lives in defense of Iran. Habib filmed the video for the song in Beirut (Lebanon) since he wouldn't be able to do that in Iran. This video was sponsored by Mr. Rezai (a prominent real estate businessman in Dubai). A lot of effort and production resources were put into this video. However, permission for it's final release inside Iran has not yet been given. My father also decided to make a second song, "eshghayeh Khodaie" (roughly translating "beloved of God") in appreciation of the veterans of the Iran Iraq war. A video was made from documentary clips and has been distributed on youtube. (shown below).
Sometime after this, after Habib's return to Los Angeles, he played the songs for a few people in the Iranian entertainment scene. One in particular was a well known Iranian Producer/TV owner whom we had worked with before. Unfortunately, some feedbacks, for whatever reason, were not positive. There is no reason for anyone to infer that these songs were written and recorded in support of my father's return to home or to seek permission to sing in his beloved country, as some tried to imply. The "final straw" for Habib's sudden trip to Iran was his sister's ailing health and not, as rumors say, for treating a cancer (that Habib doesn't have!). Habib has had some minor heart issues while there, and has been treated.
For any of you who may be wondering why my father has chosen this particular point in time to return home as opposed to Khatami’s time or any other time; the answer is this. Habib has tried on a number of occasions, as have many other singers who are keeping silent, but the opportunity for dialogue was not really possible up until the past few years. So the question should be directed to previous Iranian administrations, and not Habib.
Kodoom.com: What was the story of your own trip to Iran and the reason you were hospitalized?
Mohamad: About three years ago, while in Dubai working on our projects, my health was deteriorating fast and I was experiencing different issues such as fatigu. After a few visits to the hospital and some examinations, they found that the heart issue I had since childhood needed immediate attention through heart surgery. The procedure was complex and costly, so from Dubai I was flown to Iran where the famed Iranian surgeon Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mandegar replaced my aortic valve in an open heart surgery. I stayed in Iran for four months to recover. I was interrogated by security officials twice. I first got a little scared, but I knew I had nothing to hide. After a while it was all fine. However, since I was recognized everywhere and approached by fans and supporters in numbers, security forces asked me to stay away from crowded places and try to be incognito and low key for my own security.
I also talked about my sweet and bitter experiences in Iran in Part 1 of this interview. My first reason to go to Iran was for my health and the second was to support my father in his brave move. I have not requested permission to work in Iran and am currently independent from my father in my own doings.
Kodoom.com: What motivated Habib to sing songs like 'Eshghayeh Khodaie" and religious songs like that of "Imam Ali"?
Mohamad: The reason Habib wrote and sang these songs for the martyrs is because he felt a responsibility as an Iranian to show appreciation for the heroes of the Iran-Iraq war. Because it is part of our past and something we all have in common and with hopes that it would unite us. This would be the sacred defense (defa'e moghadas) songs like Eshghayeh khodaie are not political songs. They are national songs promoting unity. What we all have in common and what we all share is the history of an Iran that was defending itself in its worst times. These songs come from the heart. The heart of a singer who has been far from his country most his adult life and wants to remind us all where his heart is. It is with his people. Without ever taking sides for or against any particular political party. The "social/political" songs he has sung have always been very general.
About religious songs, Habib has been singing them since the beginning of his career, from 'Hussieneh Pak Baz" and 'Namazeh Shaameh Ghariban" in the 70's to 'Havayeh Imamzadeh" in the late 80's, to the "Imam Ali song" from 2008. It is a part of his personal beliefs that he likes to express; nothing new.
Kodoom.com: Where is Habib now? And what is he doing? Why hasn't he release? And what would he share with us now?
Mohamad: Habib is staying in northern Iran (Shomal) where he enjoys the nature, gardening, horseback riding, and keeps active for a healthy lifestyle. He is also making new songs in his little home studio. It has been a while since his full album has been finished, only waiting for permission to release. There are currently no plans to put together a concert for Habib and no license has been given to do so. Previously I explained the complex system of permits and licenses in Iran that Habib is going through.
As for Habib's message, I could only read into my father so much, but my guess is we have similar views on some matters. Whether it's Iranians in Iran or anywhere abroad (Los Angeles, etc.) or all humanity for that matter, the world has both "Eshghayeh Khodaie" (Beloved of God) and "Kharchanghayeh Mordabi" (Wicked Marsh Crawlers). We should all be open minded and not see everything so black and white, since nothing is black and white. We should also stop being so judgmental in any matter and put away such primitive or childish ways of thinking.
Kodoom.com: What do you do in America these days? Are you in a relationship? Do you intend to return to Iran? what is your message to the youth of Iran? What's your experience with our site?
Mohamad: I stay active through out the day with yoga, weight training, walking and bike riding for a healthy lifestyle. I am also a vegetarian. I also study and use of the Internet (sites like kodoom.com :) through out the day, besides work and music. I have been working on a couple of songs, and intend to release a single this fall if everything goes according to plan. More information can can be obtained from my facebook page. About my personal life, I have a few close friends whom I just celebrated my birthday with. As far a relationships go at the present time, I am single.
If I had one important message to the youth of Iran it would be that we as Iranians need to improve in cultural and ethical areas. One major issue that we have been a victim of, is extremism of all forms. Weather it is blindly following the West and taking it so far as to forget and disregard our cultural heritage and values, or on the other extreme going overboard on traditional and religious ways and following blindly. These two extremes only feed each other and create division amongst our people instead of creating balance and tolerance and empathy which are pillars for a balanced society.
Another issue we face is the inferiority complex some feel towards the West. A lot of these issues I must say do come from a past of being told what to do by colonial powers who have interfered in the natural process of self growth and cultural evolution in Iran and many countries. We should not continue to be victims and complainers forever. We should rather recognize it and move on by improving ourselves with listening, understanding and uniting under the common denominator that we all share, that we are all Iranians who want to make our society a better place for all of us to live in.
As for Kodoom.com, it is one of my favorite sites and I truly enjoy its balanced and objective coverage of all Iran-related news and events.
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»This is a summary of the original feature in Farsi. To request a more extensive translation of the Farsi text, please contact us.
