What in the World
What in the World
How Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Azizam’ started a conversation on women’s rights in Iran
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April 23, 2025
13 minutes
Available for over a year
The title of Ed Sheeran’s new single ‘Azizam’ means ‘my love’ in the Persian language. The track and accompanying music video includes references to Persian culture and features famous Iranian pop star Googoosh. She’s been banned from singing in Iran since the 1970s.
The song has received an outpouring of support from Iranian communities worldwide for its positive and heartfelt representation of Iran. But Googoosh’s featuring role has also shed light on the restrictions that women face in Iran, including a ban on singing in public places. We speak to Ghoncheh Habibiazad from BBC Persian about what inspired the song and what it tells us about music culture in Iran.
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde