Afghan female orchestra faces DEATH THREATS for 'dishonouring families' over Davos concert
Afghan female orchestra faces DEATH THREATS for ‘dishonouring families’ over Davos concert
AFGHANISTAN’S first female orchestra is facing horrifying death threats for "dishonouring families" after agreeing to Davos performance
Zohra, an ensemble of 35 young musicians aged 13 to 20, are due to perform in front of thousands of top CEOs and heads of state during a meeting of the World Economic Forum. More than 3,000 international figures are attending the conference this week, which will culminate in a closing conference on Friday.
Negina Khpalwak leading a rehearsalGETTY
Women were banned from music under the Taliban's reign
And the young women have been rehearsing hard, day and night, to ensure their performance is the best it can be. But each member has faced abuse and even deaths threats from their own relatives - who claim female musicians “dishonour” their families.
Women in Afghanistan were banned from pursuing a career in music during the Taliban’s repressive reign between 1996 and 2001 - but it is still frowned upon despite the ban being lifted.
Negina Khpalwak's family moved to Kabul so she could have music lessons
However, the parents of Negina Khpalwak fought back - turning their backs on their entire family to allow their young daughter to attend music lessons. She said: "It's so hard for Afghan girls. Some fathers do not even let their daughters go to school, not to speak about music school." The family left their native Kunar province and moved to Kabul, after Negina's uncle promised to kill her. He told her: “Wherever I see you, I'll kill you. You are a shame for us."
Negina Khpalwak is Afghanistan's first female conductor
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/755921/Afghanistan-first-female-orchestra-Zohra-DEATH-THREATS-Davos-concert
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