How Afghan-Canadians in B.C. are finding strength and unity through the power of music
It's been almost a year since Kabul's fall and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Among the many aspects of Afghan society threatened by the Taliban is the country's rich musical culture.
Many in the Afghan diaspora – including Metro Vancouver residents – are trying to keep Afghanistan's arts and culture alive.
Some local fans were fortunate enough to meet one of the country's most iconic singers, Farhad Darya, on Friday.
The pop star is touring Canada and made a stop in Metro Vancouver.
For Abbotsford DJ Ahmad Yasin, it's a dream come true to perform at Darya's show as the opening act.
"Words can't describe it. It means a lot, definitely," said Yasin, who has been playing music for years and is one of the few Afghan DJs in the province.
"Afghan diaspora in Vancouver, they're very, very keen in his music and his lyrics and everything that he does," Yasin added. "Although this may be an event of happiness ... his music is patriotic."
And it's that patriotism that Afghans say they need right now, especially since music is banned under Taliban rule.
That's not going to stop Afghans in Metro Vancouver from enjoying Darya's sold-out concert in Surrey Saturday.
"They're trying to suppress music inside of Afghanistan, but they can't continue this," said the Afghan pop star.
"For a nation that has no voice right now, music can be and is the loudest voice they need."
For many in the Afghan diaspora who have been forced to leave, Darya's music reminds them of home.
"For me, it's just a way to connect back to my roots and those really, really special memories that I have from my really short time in my homeland," said Parniyan Hezhir, a local fan.
"I feel like music is such a big part of me reconnecting to my identity — not just because music is fun and we dance to it and all of those things are important in our culture, but in a lot of these songs, if you pay close attention to the lyrics, a lot of them are about the Afghan experience," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.