Afghan Women’s Orchestra: Zohra, Part 2 of 2

Music is part of the country’s rich cultural heritage and has long been intimately connected with the lives of the Afghan people. Women have participated in the making and playing of Afghan music for centuries. The 1960’s and 1970’s are considered the golden age of Afghan music and Afghan women singers. In 1977 Ms. Ferida Mahwash, Afghanistan’s best-known female singer, was the first woman to receive the title of Ustad (master musician) from the Afghan government.

Apart from music, many distinguished Afghan women have contributed to the country socially, politically, and economically. In 1964, Afghan women gained the right to vote and began to enter politics. Until the early 1990s they also filled roles as teachers, government workers, physicians, lawyers, judges, journalists, writers, and poets. The sports’ world also included women such as female athletes Ms. Friba Razayee, who practiced judo, and Ms. Robina Muqimyar, who ran the 100-meter sprint. During the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the two were the first-ever women to represent Afghanistan in the games. On August 10th, 2018, another brave Afghan woman, Ms. Hanifa Yousoufi, became the first Afghan woman to reach the summit of Mount Noshaq, the highest point in Afghanistan and the second-highest peak in the Hindu Kush Range. What marvelous achievements by generations of Afghan women!

Now let’s return to the Zohra Orchestra’s closing concert at the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Please allow the rich sounds of the ancient instruments played skillfully by the young women musicians to fill your soul with the wonders of Afghan music.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Joyfully contribute US$10,000 for this orchestra; with love, encouragement and praise, in Allah's Grace.” May Zohra Orchestra's performances continue to enthrall audiences and help bring further global recognition to Afghanistan's grand music tradition.