Afghan Musicians Work to Overcome Violence
Women in Afghanistan have faced many challenges over the years. They have often been the target of violence. Years ago, the Taliban government banned music and education for girls. Even today, there are few female musicians.
Now, a group of young Afghans are using music to spread a message of hope and peace. They are part of an orchestra, known as Zohra, that was created in 2014.
Many of the orchestra’s members are young girls and are among the first women in the country to study music in over 30 years. Ahmed Naser Sarmast, the founder of the orchestra, said that the number of students in Zohra has grown every year.
Negin Khpolwak is Zohra’s first female conductor. She says the orchestra provides hope for the future.
“I am hopeful because we need to stand up and we need to open the door for other Afghan girls … and fight for their rights," she said.
With its mix of cultures, and of boys and girls, Sarmast agrees that Zohra is a symbol of the future of Afghanistan. "We are using the ... power of music to [bring] peace and stability in Afghanistan," Sarmast said.
The orchestra has performed in many countries. Recently, the group visited Pakistan for the first time, which is home to millions of Afghan refugees.
Sarmast says music has the power to heal, and that the orchestra is using this power to "look after the wounds of the Afghan people as well as the Pakistani people."
