Tomaj Salihi Becomes Honorary Citizen of Florence, Italy

Following global support for Iranian rap singer Tomaj Salihi, he has been selected as an honorary citizen of the city of Florence, Italy.

Iranian rapper Tomaj Salihi, who voices the protests and pain of the people through his art, completed his final court hearing on Sunday, July 3rd (Tir 11th), eight months after his arrest, and is now awaiting the verdict.

Following the court session, members of the Florence City Council in Italy held a vote on Monday, July 3rd (Tir 12th) and selected Tomaj Salihi as an honorary citizen of Florence, Italy. This honor was presented to Shabnam Khosravi, Tomaj’s cousin.

In her speech, Shabnam Khosravi expressed gratitude to the mayor of Florence and city council members, describing Tomaj as a courageous and incomparable artist who cries out the pain of society through his art. She also viewed the granting of Florence citizenship to Tomaj as a sign of hope, saying: “The mayor and city council of Florence have shown through this action that Tomaj is not only a son of Iran, but a son of the world, and art knows no boundaries.”

It should be noted that several Iranian activists were present at the aforementioned ceremony, who spoke about Tomaj in their remarks and chanted “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Additionally, Luca Milani, chairman of the Florence City Council, and some city council representatives, while referencing events and protests in Iran, also spoke in support of granting citizenship to Tomaj Salihi.