As readers of The Sheikh’s Batmobile will know, I spent some time in Iran recently, speaking to a number of outstanding musicians who are bridging Eastern and Western music with remarkable sophistication. The recent elections have opened a long festering divide in Iranian culture - hardliners vs. reformers are openly battling on the streets, in a fight for the soul of their nation.

The courage displayed by those actively protesting against the regime cannot be overstated. I was concerned in particular about two musicians whom I became close to over the course of my stay: Farzad Golpayegani and his “heavy metal percussionist” and brother-in-arms, Arash Jafari. I emailed a quick note of concern to Farzad, and here is what he sent me in return:

“Hey Rich,

Thank you for asking. We’re fine but it’s a very hard time in Iran and I hope it lead to a better future for us. We have had tough clashes from police and non-official forces but rallies are getting more huge and they can’t do anything about it..

I wish we celebrate the victory very soon

Cheers bro..
Farzad”

I wish them the best, and indeed hope that they’ll be celebrating the victory very soon. They’re good men, care deeply about their country and their culture, and deserve nothing less than to pursue their lives in the manner in which they see fit. I hate to think that they’re in harm’s way, but I also know what they’re fighting for.

Go well, boys.

The Globe checked in with a review and, while the writer clearly disagreed with me on certain points - she’s a Christian Palestinian, so I’d freakin’ hope she would - it’s a flattering and nuanced look at the book by someone who clearly thinks about this shit all the time. Frankly, I’d been anticipating more of a smackdown, but I think a certain President Obama has recently twinned the notions of “hope” and “Muslim world,” thereby making The Sheikh’s themes seem a little more feasible, if no less difficult to realize.

Great review in the Winnipeg Free Press, and a nice interview on a new cross-cultural type site called This Is Worldtown. The site is worth a visit for, among other things, the Emo Obama button on their header image. Makes me laugh.