Public criticism of the 2012 Naghi song and reported apostasy rulings
Reported media coverage of Shahin Najafi's song Naghi, clerical and agency statements on apostasy, and his on-record replies to BBC Persian and Radio Farda.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- Naghi song posted on YouTube - France 24 Observers reported that on 7 May 2012 Shahin Najafi posted the satirical song Naghi on YouTube; lyrics address the tenth Shia Imam and drew large early view counts. Iranian rapper on getting death threats: There should be no limits in art
- Fars reports apostasy ruling tied to the song - BBC Persian reported that on 9 May Fars News said Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani had issued an apostasy ruling against Najafi over Naghi; BBC noted the written reply predated the song and named no individual. Iranian Rapper Faces Calls For His Execution Over Insulting Song
- Najafi tells BBC Persian he did not intend insult - In a 10 May 2012 BBC Persian interview, Najafi said he did not intend to insult Shia Imams and used their names as material for social-artistic work; he said some in Iran were misusing the cleric's ruling for political ends. شاهین نجفی: فقط انسان ضعیف توهین میکند
- Makarem Shirazi statement and reported Shia-Online bounty - BBC Persian reported on 13 May that Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi said insulting the Imams makes a Muslim an apostate; The Guardian and BBC English also reported Shia-Online's claimed $100,000 bounty. Iranian rapper faces death threats and fatwa for blasphemous song