For more than 50 years, Afghan musicians and singers have produced works reflecting the diversity of their homeland.
From the traditional folk of Mahwash and the classic pop of Ahmad Zahir to the modern sounds of Aryana Sayeed and ferocity of rockers Kabul Dreams, Afghanistan's music industry is as vibrant as it is soulful.
However, with the Taliban now in power in Afghanistan, will their policies allow the country’s music scene to play on?
Here are 10 Afghan artists you need to hear:
1. Ahmad Zahir
Dubbed Afghanistan’s Nightingale, Zahir has remained a household name since his death in 1979.
The son of former Afghan prime minister Abdul Zahir (1971 to 1972), Ahmad had a privileged background that allowed him to travel across the US and Europe. He incorporated the musical styles of the two countries into his Dari-sung tracks.
As a result, Ahmad found success with upbeat pop hits and ballads, such as Soltane Qalbam Tu Hasti and Zeba Negaram, which featured local instrumentation with western sounds including rock and French chanson.
In news that shocked the country, Ahmad was tragically killed in 1979 in a car accident aged 33.
During the Afghan Civil War in 1996, the Taliban reportedly destroyed his grave, only for it for be restored by fans in 2003.
2. Mahwash
As the rare female artist referred to in Afghanistan with the honorific Ustad (meaning master), Mahwash remains one of the country's most revered singers.
Born in a conservative family – her mother was a Quran teacher – Mahwash kept her vocal talents hidden until she finished her university studies.
After a well-received performance singing on Kabul Radio, Mahwash went on to study under various local musical luminaries and recorded popular folk songs including O Bacha (Oh Boy).
With Afghanistan descending into civil war, Mahwash relocated to the US in 1991.
3. Aryana Sayeed
One of Afghanistan’s most celebrated pop stars, Sayeed sings in Farsi, Dari and Pashto.
She was born in Afghanistan and moved to Pakistan with her family when she was a child, before settling in Switzerland.
Buoyed by the success of 2008 debut single Mashallah and 2011's Afghan Pesarak, she moved back to Afghanistan where she became one of the leading lights of the pop scene.
Sayeed was one of the hundreds who escaped the country on a US cargo jet bound for Qatar, fleeing the country's takeover by the Taliban.
4. Mozhdah Jamalzadah
A ubiquitous presence on the airwaves, Mozhdah Jamalzadah, 35, has been dubbed the "Oprah of Afghanistan”.
This is down to her carving out an impressive career as a pop star and host of popular television talk show The Mozhdah Show.
Born in Kabul, she moved to Canada at the age of 5, with her family, where she went on to study journalism and dabble in songwriting in her early twenties.
Her breakout single was 2009’s Dokhtare Afghan (Afghan Girl), which became a hit back in Afghanistan.
The song's success, coupled by her academic background, resulted in Jamalzadah being offered a job with fledgling Afghan television station 1TV.
Upon moving back to Kabul, she focused on both careers and went on to become the first Afghan woman to perform at the White House in 2010 for then-US president Barack Obama.
In 2019, Jamalzadah released the memoir Voice of Rebellion.
5. Naghma
If you are looking for an authentic slice of Afghan folk music, then Naghma (full name Naghma Shaperai) is the gold standard.
Naghma first made a name for herself in the 1980s singing with her ex-husband Mangal. She found success as a solo artist with original tracks and folk standards sung in Dari and Pashto, including hits Mazidgar De Ka Nade and Mohabbat.
Since 2000, Naghma has been residing in California in the US.
6. Homayoun Sakhi
A key feature of traditional Afghan music is the lilting sound of the rubab, a lute-like instrument traditionally made from the trunk of the mulberry tree.
Sakhi is considered a master of the form and ever since moving to the US has been serving as an unofficial ambassador for the instrument with a series of albums and compilations including The Art of the Afghan Rubab: Music of Central Asia Vol 3 (2006).
He also teamed up with singer Mahwesh and acclaimed world music producer Dawn Elder for the 2013 album Love Songs for Humanity under the name Voices of Afghanistan.
7. Ensemble Kaboul
Known for accompanying Mahwash on international tours, Ensemble Kaboul is no mere backing band.
Formed in Switzerland in 1995, the group is made up of Afghan exiles who fled to Europe over the past three decades.
Led by rubab maestro and composer Khaled Aman, the group has toured and released albums, including the well-received 2001 debut Nastaran, representing the traditional and popular sounds of Afghan music.
8. Farhad Darya
Darya's ability to sing in his native Dari and Pashto, in addition to Uzbek, Hindi and Urdu, has garnered him a regional fan base.
That said, his songs, extolling Afghan tradition and patriotism, have also made him a major star at home.
His four-decade career began with him fronting successful band Goroh-e-Baran (alongside '80s Afghan pop star Asad Badie) before he eventually went solo.
Through his 19 albums, including 2003's Salaam Afghanistan, Darya's songs promote messages of peace and solidarity for his homeland.
He currently resides in the US.
9. Nasrat Parsa
In a career tragically cut short, Parsa made a fan of superstar Ahmad Zahir. Parsa was aged 7 at the time.
Upon hearing the youngster's voice on the radio in 1975, Zahir reached out to his family and invited Parsa to perform with him in a concert.
With the advent of the Soviet occupation, Parsa fled to India in 1981, where he studied Indian classical music.
He later blended Afghan and Indian music traditions when he resettled in Germany and launched his music career.
He released albums in Dari and Hindi, including 1998's Saya and Hindi Songs (2002), respectively.
Parsa was killed in 2005 in a reported scuffle with a group of men after a Vancouver concert. He was 37.
10. Kabul Dreams
Since forming in the Afghan capital in 2008, Kabul Dreams’ brand of fuzzy garage rock and do-it-yourself ethos garnered them a loyal following at home and abroad.
In addition to well-received albums Plastic Words (2013) and Megalomaniacs (2017), they toured Europe and the US, including performing at the influential South by Southwest festival in Texas.
Constant death threats from Taliban sympathisers forced the three-piece to flee Afghanistan in 2013 and seek asylum in the US.
Out this month, their latest track is the politically charged Butcher of the City – the title being a veiled reference to brutal former Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
Squid Game season two
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Anghami
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Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
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Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
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3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
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4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
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Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
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Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
