Independent Afghan DJ Making his Mark

In America, it would be seen as nothing much. But being a DJ in Afghanistan supplies its weight in death threats. Gradually, radio freedom has been demonstrating its power across Afghanistan, allowing the public to hear the real news. This is an important step in the freedom of the Afghan people. If the public is led to believe whatever the Taliban feeds them, they will live in constant fear and misunderstanding.

Precarious Position of Afghan National Army Calls for Patience on All Military Sides

There is no doubt that the Afghan National Army is at a precarious position. Though they can pride themselves on many positive factors, it it still left to be said that there is widespread drug-use among the ranks, illiteracy inhibits their competency, and unresolved tribal tribulations continue to flair up. But what else can you ask for? Afghanistan's history cannot change in a year, or even a few years. Patience is the most important thing to value in this war. Patience for all military sides. 

The Roots of Afghanistan and America

In reading Afghan Hearts & Minds, I started to introspect about the differences between Afghan culture and American culture. The most striking variable that challenged my mind to think deeper was the span and depth of Afghan culture as compared to American culture. American culture has a mythical basis: every day, and every where in America, culture is making dramatic adaptations. I cannot say that America is the "melting pot" that it is, because Americans don't assimilate with other countries' cultures as readily as we might idealize. But there is a definite looseness and fragility to its roots, of which can be severed with a swift turn of immigrant populations or social policy.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, despite its vast amount of experience with other cultures trying to barge their way through the country to forge a new ideal, keeps close to its tough roots. Its pride in its land is ancient, and it takes its primary principles very seriously.

For all we know, America could be entirely different culturally in just ten years. Afghanistan, though, will most likely remain culturally intact for the next one-hundred years.   

Rich Musical Heritage to Outright Music Ban: What Happened?

Watching the documentary Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking, was akin to my experience of reading Afghan Hearts & Minds by Shafie Ayar: it conjured a pride within me for a country I would otherwise have little association with. I saw the people as they were: impoverished, struggling to claim what dignity and morality they could obtain in such tirelessly immoral circumstances.

As a musician, watching Afghan Star was incredibly eye-opening. In America, we have limited bans on music and dance - to the extent that you could do almost anything. But in Afghanistan, for decades, music and dance had been publicly banned. There were citizens that had underground ways of practicing and playing the music or dance that they loved. But by far, it was inhibited on such a large scale that the country lost much of rich musical heritage.

Afghanistan could name only one man and claim their heritage as rich: Amir Khusro. He was an outstanding poet, musician, philosopher, and composer. He created many musical instruments that we use today all across the world, such as the sitar and tabla. He also fashioned new genres in music, like qawwali, tarana, and khayal - which are all integral to eastern classical music today.

So why, when Afghanistan has had a shining genius of music and art, did they forsake their heritage? Unfortunately, many people translate the Koran in many different ways - each faction using it to advance  their own interests. The history of musical accomplishment came tumbling down because of false religious pretexts.

But now, with the rising of liberal media in Afghanistan, I hope that soon will change.

Amir Khusro - The Artistic Genius of Afghanistan