Announcements

#IAmMySong Campaign

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and long-time supporters of ANIM and music in Afghanistan: 

It is with profound sincerity that I write to you regarding the recent events in Afghanistan prohibiting a female the right to sing and ANIM's position on this matter. 

Only two days after the world celebrated International Women’s Day, the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan announced a ban for girls 12 years old and up from singing in public arenas — this would include being able to participate in singing their National Anthem of Afghanistan. 

The Afghanistan National Institute of Music stands firm in opposing this decision and openly calls upon supporters and members of the Afghan and International community to join us in solidarity so that young females and women of Afghanistan, in music and in voice, may never be silenced again. 

This decision by the Ministry of Education is a clear violation of national and International legislation and laws in areas of basic human rights, child rights, women’s rights, musical rights, and the universal right to freedom of expression. 

In my capacity as the Founder and Director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, I call upon the President of Afghanistan and members of the Government of Afghanistan to look into reversing this decision. I further call for collective and unified action in that, instead of creating further division and discrimination amongst Afghanistan’s future generations, they may encourage the Ministry of Education to build a more inclusive educational environment for all children to grow up with equal rights and opportunities. 

In addition to ANIM’s continued efforts in Afghanistan to promote and uphold a child’s and female rights to music practice and fair education, we invite fellow supporters, institutions, organizations, musicians, and all individuals to join us for the #IAmMySong campaign by recording a song or instrumental piece and post it with the hashtag #IAmMySong in solidarity for Afghan females and for all people to have their voices freely heard.

Please spread the words and if possible shared it with you contacts in the international media.

Regards,

Ahmad Sarmast