The International Music Council (IMC) has nominated Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), as its Five Music Rights Champion. These rights represent the Council’s core values and those of its network.
The IMC’s network comprises some 1000 music organizations in 150 countries around the world.
These five music rights are the rights for people to express themselves musically with all freedom, learn musical languages and skills, have access to musical involvement, develop their artistry, and obtain recognition and remuneration for their work.
The four other musicians who have previously become the IMC’s Five Music Rights Champions are from Cambodia, Scotland, Egypt, and Kenya.
In a post on his Facebook account on Monday, December 05, Sarmast expressed gratitude for the IMC awarding him the title.
“Under his leadership, ANIM defied Taliban threats to teach boys and girls alongside one another, training them in Afghan and Western classical instruments and performing traditions,” the IMC said about Sarmast’s work during the previous government which was toppled by the Taliban in August 2021.
“In such a tragic moment in the history of contemporary Afghanistan when an entire nation is forced into silence, […] this designation has been significant and important. It is the recognition of the struggle of Afghan people for their music rights”, the IMC quoted Sarmast as saying when he was nominated as IMC Five Music Rights Champion.
Sarmast is nominated to champion these music rights as he and his students have been all forced once again out of Afghanistan.
The Taliban have already abolished the ANIM in Afghanistan and declared listening to music and singing as Haram – religiously forbidden.
Having already evacuated all 273 members of the ANIM community, Sarmast has planned to reestablish the institute in Lisbon, Portugal.
