KhKhKh
Embarrassing those that have been systematically dragging
Islam and Muslims down
January 3, 2005
iranian.com
I was flipping channels on my Telstar Satellite
TV receiver, and suddenly came across a silhouette of a Mullah
playing an electronic
saxophone among images of fall tree leaves turning color from Green!
I had to stop -- it was intriguing and provocative.
The Mullah
was playing with a roll of toilet paper on his head, and white
toilet
paper wrapped around his forehead to look like
a turban! And wearing a bathrobe simulating a Mullah's coverall!
A bearded "AyaToilet"!
To make it more interesting,
the caption in the corner introduced the video as follows: "New
Colors from Green, Artist - Kh. Kh. Kh., the AyaToilets, with an
Album titled-The Islamic
KluKluxKlan,
Sending Iran Down the Toilet."
First I thought it was a joke, then I figured it
was some sort of political comedy, and suddenly it occurred to
me that it could
actually be a powerful concept. After all 60% of Iran's population
is under 21. What is the best way to convey a message of change?
How else might they get inspired to take to the streets? Music
might do it.
But the concept in my opinion, has more global application,
beyond Iran's youth. How about connecting with the powers-that-be
in
the West and convey the realities of the regime in Iran, in a
way that's
never been done before? Instead of simple cold lobbying, that
so far has not worked, how about employing a music video to send
the
message? It could also be used to connect with ordinary Americans
or Europeans.
The beauty of this approach is that there was no
singing -- simple music and images to convey a message. A very
global message,
without any need for language.
Remember that even after the Mullahs get thrown
out of power, Iranians will have another battle to fight. We'll
have to fight
for global
respect, after 25 years of negative news and images. Maybe by
placing an "Ayatoilet's" image amidst some 'western sounding'
music - with a provocative caption - we might be able to establish
cultural connection. The rest of the world might understand that
Iranians too hate these "Ayatoilets".
I am presuming that Kh. Kh. Kh. stands for Iran's
theocratic leadership: Khomeini, Khamenei, Khatami. Maybe Kh. Kh.
R. (named
similarly
to KKR, the aggressive Wall Street takeover firm) would have
been more appropriate -- since Rafsanjani has been an equal culprit
in Iran's theocratic takeover, and subsequent demise. But, to
include
Khatami as an "Ayatoilet" now seems appropriate given
the stunt he pulled twice pretending to be a reformer... and
buy more time for the theocracy.
Maybe Kh. Kh. Kh. is short for "khoonkhar" (bloodthirsty)
or "Khar" (stupid) or "Khabiss" (evil) or "Khaaen" (traitor)... frankly
some more Kh's come to mind!
But, anyway it's a good analogy to compare them
to the Theocratic Christian leadership of the KKK (the KluKluxKlan).
They both
profess ultraconservative, controversial perspectives from their
religious
base -- views not held by the vast majority of more moderate
Christians or Moslems in their nations.
Also, they both seek to radicalize
their
followers and polarize their countries. They both operate from
positions of bigotry and hatred against Jews and others ...
and use dubious religious notions to rationalize their hatred --
and
squash oppositions. And maybe with this analogy, those that
support
this regime in the West might finally understand who they have
been dealing with for the past 25 years.
And, what a great title: New colors from Green!
That a bunch of leaves changing color can symbolize the eventual
death of
the "Greens" (mullahs
in Iran) -- without any drama, blood or tears. A simple point
-- like leaves, their time will come, they will change colors
and
then fall.
And then, consider the notion of using an album title
to make a broader statement. Not since the '70s Punk Era and
the Sex
Pistols
have I seen provocative titles like this. Throwing a whole
nation down the toilet ... indeed! That sounds about right. What
a
humiliation for the Mullahs and very creative!
So I was struck. I immediately tried to find out
more on the KhKhKh/Ayatoilets. I looked for a web site -- no
luck. I wanted
to buy
the music album, so I looked it up on the Web - no luck. Then
I called Rang-a-Rang TV to learn more.
Rang-A-Rang told me that they received the video
anonymously through a friend of the group, but that the friend
did not reveal
the identity
of the group members. But that Rang-A-Rang did talk at length
with the person that delivered the tape.
Apparently the group fear retaliation from the regime
in Iran... even here in the US. After a few nudges from me, Rang-A-Rang
told me
that they might be able to arrange an interview, but they would
only do that if a "major organization" needed to contact
them. And I suppose, as a private individual I didn't qualify.
Rang-A-Rang also told me that they might sell KhKhKh's music
album directly from their station -- so I ordered my copy of
the album
just in case.
They also told me that they had a complete series
of video releases from the KhKhKh to broadcast. Two more combinations
of music
with nature (one based on oceans and rivers, and another one
based on
run down farm houses... ). And a fourth video about the death
of Princess Diana - about the public's fascination with her relationship
with Dodi Fayed (a Muslim) - which led to the devastating media
hunt for their pictures and their deaths.
The group's purpose, they said, was to use music videos to make
political statements.
Basically, the KhKhKh artists stand for
Islamic reform along with the separation of religion from politics.
They
seem to be taking positions against the devouring of Islam from
both inside the Islamic community by religious leaders and from
outside the Islamic community by the media in the West. Rang-a-Rang
was clear that the Group in no way want to put down Islam or
humiliate Muslims - but to embarrass those that have been systematically
dragging Islam and Muslims down - towards a new more moderate
phase
- hoping to initiate a new Iranian era like Europe's renaissance
in the 17th century.
Islamic fanatics have banned music broadcasts in
many places and called any music anti-islamic doctrine. So the
very fact
that this
message is being conveyed in a musical context provides another
push towards moderation - or shall we say Islamic reevaluation
or reform.
Rang-a-Rang mentioned that the KhKhKh artists are very sensitive
to a new popular Iranian concern that might be inhibiting another
popular revolution against the Mullahs.
It is that the prospect
of significant political change in Iran would lead to a new wave
liberalization leading to Iran's moral disintegration and that
Iran's youth will then turn against religion. This in turn would
dramatically increase crime, prostitution, pornography, gambling,
drug use, etc., catalyzed by western culture: i.e. Rock Music
and images of a half-naked Britney Spears or P. Diddy or indeed
some
of the current crop of Iranian Pop stars in the US that beam
into Iran via Satellite. No one in Iran wants freedom at the
expense
of further Iranian disintegration.
So, the KhKhKh artists believe that one way to lead
change is to demonstrate that in fact there can be responsible
presentations
of both rock music and video images -- without Britney dancing
half naked. To suggest that in fact freedom can be exercised
responsibly
to assist Iranians with their fight for freedom. And that Western
culture is not totally represented by negative images -- and
there is an opportunity for a cultural or political blend to
help the
nation move in a positive direction.
In summary, I caught only a few minutes of the video,
but it has had a profound impact on me. It provoked so much thought
and action...
Powerful indeed ... after a few minutes of a music video!
Hey music can change the world. Stay tuned ...
they said.
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