Today’s program
will be presented in Dari,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, Hebrew,
English, French,
German, Hungarian,
Indonesian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Thai,
and Spanish.
Eleven million viewers
are enthralled by the images
on the television screen.
The year is 2005
and one-third of
Afghanistan’s population
is watching the season
finale of “Afghan Star,” a
television show based on
its western predecessors
where contestants
sing wholeheartedly
for the top spot.
Artistic viewers,
welcome to Enlightening
Entertainment today
for the first of our
2-part program featuring
Mr. Daoud Sediqi,
the original “Afghan Star”
television host and
current Voice of America
radio host.
In the United States
and United Kingdom,
these types of shows
focusing on music contests
are commonplace.
However, in Afghanistan,
a country where music
had been restricted
from 1996 to 2001, the
launch of “Afghan Star”
was a landmark movement.
Music had a history of
thousands of years
in our country.
For nearly a decade, it had
faced serious problems.
We had several artists
outside of Afghanistan
who accomplished
some works,
but inside Afghanistan,
the music totally stopped.
Music is
a universal language
that is deeply rooted in
the heart of every human.
With its prolific tradition
of music
for thousands of years,
the voices
of the Afghan people
began to ring out again
with enthusiasm to revive
their beautiful heritage.
We have a prolific history.
We have a rich
and excellent culture,
for which there exist
many of examples that
the whole world knows
like Mawlana-Rumi,
who is from Afghanistan,
in terms of poetry
and literature,
the music culture,
in every field, we are rich.
“Afghan Star”
was a catalyst
for an amazing change
in the country.
Aside from its diverse
and talented contestants,
at the heart of the show
is its young, charismatic
host, Mr. Sediqi, whose
own journey to stardom
was also fate-filled.
Daoud Sediqi was born
in Kabul in 1979.
He speaks
both his native Pashto
as well as Dari.
Upon graduating
from high school,
he was accepted
at the prestigious
Kabul University School
of Medicine.
He also made a living by
repairing television sets
to support his family.
Eventually, Mr. Sediqi
channeled all his passion
to music.
In 2003, he was recruited
by Arman FM Radio
as a presenter, producer
and editor of its programs.
Here, he earned
a favorable reputation as
a conscientious worker.
The following year,
Tolo TV was launched
and Mr. Sediqi
was invited to work
in the music department.
In 2005,
the television station
developed the innovative
show “Afghan Star”
with Mr. Sediqi as its host.
Mr. Sediqi, along with
the producers, traveled
throughout the country
to search for the talents
for the program.
Part of his goal
for “Afghan Star” was
to restore Afghan music
after its long absence.
Afghan music
became very restricted
in Afghanistan and
people were listening to
the world’s music
and there was
no Afghan music,
no production of it.
“Afghan Star” began as
a reality competition
to discover solo musical
talents in the country,
broadcasting
as a weekly series
on Thursdays and Fridays.
It soon became
the most popular show
in Afghanistan.
“Afghan Star” provides
an opportunity
for Afghan people
to reconnect with
their rich musical history.
All the songs
performed on the show
are traditional in nature,
with some songs
tracing back to
7th century poetry.
Audiences from
the entire spectrum of life
follow the show
with great interest.
Through “Afghan Star,”
we could restore
a major part of our culture,
which is music, which is
poetry and literature,
which is our language.
And “Afghan Star”
was a program that
really had a positive effect
over our culture.
“Afghan Star”
revitalized the dream
for all musicians at heart,
regardless of ethnic group,
age or gender.
The show provides a chance
for these talented people
to live out their big dreams
with a chance at becoming
a national pop star.
The premiere
of “Afghan Star”
saw over 2,000 aspirants
auditioning for a chance
to be a part of the show.
After years of adversity,
we could invite women
to appear on the stage
in the field of art and
we enabled young people
to have what they wish.
Mr. Sediqi’s vision
of the program
was always to use it
as an instrument
in uniting the country.
Through music
and the show,
he says, “We give
the feeling of peace.”
With music
symbolizing freedom,
the youth of Afghanistan
are looking forward to a
brighter future of harmony.
You can see the interest
of people.
Afghan Star brought
positive effects
to Afghanistan.
Afghan Star sustained
national unity
among different groups.
All could sit together.
We could introduce
brilliant artists, we could
rehabilitate music, which
is one of its achievements.
Enlightening Entertainment
will return shortly
after these brief messages
with our show featuring
Afghan television
and radio host
Mr. Daoud Sediqi.
Please keep your dial
tuned here
to Supreme Master
Television.
Thank you
for joining us again for
Enlightening Entertainment
for our program featuring
renowned Afghan
TV and radio host,
Mr. Dadoud Sediqi.
Prior to becoming a
Pashto-speaking radio host
for Voice of America
in the United States,
Mr. Sediqi was one of the
most famous personalities
in Afghanistan as the host
of the first 4 seasons
of the hugely popular
music show, “Afghan Star.”
In US-based
TIME magazine,
Aryn Baker wrote an article
on March 24, 2008
about Mr. Sediqi’s
charming presence
as the TV show’s host
as follows:
“‘Ladies and gentlemen,
are you ready to find out
who is the winner of this
year's “Afghan Star”?’
The television host
pauses and surveys
the thousand or so
Afghan teenagers —
decked out
in glitzy headscarves, or
wide-lapeled white suits
with even wider ties —
who have begun chanting
the names
of favorite performers.
"Well,
let's take a short break
for commercials, and
we will be right back."
…Daoud Sediqi, host
of the “American Idol”
clone “Afghan Star,”
knows how to work a crowd,
reminding them that
the reason they have spent
a cramped three hours
in the …
Intercontinental Hotel
is to be present
for the conclusion
of a contest that has
dominated Afghan TV
for the past 16 weeks.”
The show features
musical hopefuls singing
with utmost enthusiasm
to demonstrate
their vocal talents
in an effort to win a
recording contract offered
at the end of each season.
“Afghan Star”
indeed rekindles hope
in the hearts
of the Afghan people.
Sixty percent of the
population of Afghanistan
is under 21 years of age,
and the show is a reflection
of the youthful spirit
and energy of the nation.
It serves as a bridge
between its
historical music tradition
and modernity.
Many other programs were
made in the same style
after the launch
of Afghan Star.
Now people
watch these programs
with adoration.
Afghan Star could bring
about a great revolution
so that people can
follow this tradition.
Proud of the show’s
significant place
in the country’s history,
Mr. Sediqi sees its success
in the form of
comparable shows
that are created
such as the one
to discover the country’s
best comic actor
or best male dancer.
From 19 year old Rafi
who has the pop star look
to classically trained
Hameed to female singers
Lima and Setara,
the viewing audience
can cast their vote for
their favorite performers
in true democratic fashion
via cell phone.
Based on the idea
that all are equal,
regardless of ethnic group,
age or gender,
each person’s voice
through his or her ballot
counts.
The fact that both men
and women of all ages
are voting illustrates
the significant movement
in the country that
“Afghan Star” is creating.
With Afghan Star,
what’s interesting is that,
one of its good examples
is that for the first time,
people realized
how valuable their vote is,
meaning that when
someone votes for a person,
the person can win or
can become the president
or a member of Parliament
or a singer.
We were able to show that
people should participate
in the elections
and if they don’t,
the future of their country
will be determined
by someone else,
the future of their country
falls to the hands
of someone else.
They should themselves
participate and determine
the future of their country
and so the show was
a good example
for Afghanistan.
Although there are a
number of diverse ethnic
groups in Afghanistan,
the show illustrates that
the people are all united
as Afghans when they vote
based on talent to
find the next music star
of the country.
Mr. Sediqi believes that
the democratic process
by which the winners of
“Afghan Star” are chosen
can serve as
a future paradigm not only
for other television shows
but in organizations
or other areas of life.
Now, young people
choose role models.
It’s a program
on selecting a model,
a show about
selecting the best person
of their craft.
Afghan Star could
promote a good tradition
among people
and in the big cities
of Afghanistan now,
in various media
in Afghanistan.
The documentary film,
“Afghan Star,” whose focus
was the television show
of the same name,
was released in 2009
to wide acclaim.
The film was
by the London-based
independent British
director and producer
Havana Marking.
This Afghan-Britain
co-produced documentary
was the first Afghan film
that entered the
prestigious independent
Sundance Film Festival
in the United States.
It won both
the Best World Cinema
Documentary Director
and World Cinema
Audience Award.
The documentary
has since earned
a submission under
foreign language films
to represent
the United Kingdom
in the Academy Awards.
It was a film that can show
the positive face of
the people of Afghanistan
to the world.
It is a film that
can show the hopes of
the people of Afghanistan,
especially that of
the young generation
The film, fortunately,
has been nominated
for the Oscar.
I’m very happy
for the winning of a prize
and I can show
Afghan Star documentary
as a nice message
and positive face of
the people of Afghanistan.
Already a celebrity
in his homeland,
the premiere
of the award-winning
documentary “Afghan Star”
turned Mr. Sediqi
into an internationally
recognized figure.
He was invited
to the United States
to share the stage
with Ms. Marking for
the screening of the film
at the Sundance Festival.
Despite of the success of
the television show and film,
Mr. Sediqi’s heart is still
set on his original
noble goal for the show.
My great ambition is:
Peace in my country
and I wish a day
to see this peace
with my own eyes
during my life
and this is one of
my greatest ambitions.
In my life and in my being,
I want to see my country
rebuilt and in comfort.
All the young people
of Afghanistan wish to have
a built country in peace
and prosperity
and I have the ambition
to witness this in my life.
Through his work,
Mr. Sediqi has helped
revive the beautiful music
of Afghanistan and
brought hope into the hearts
of his fellow citizens.
It was a pleasure to
have your presence today.
Please join us again
next week on
Enlightening Entertainment
for the part 2 of
“Ambitions of Afghanistan:
An Interview with
Daoud Sediqi, Original
Afghan Star TV Host &
Voice of America
Radio Host.”
Up next is
Words of Wisdom,
after Noteworthy News,
here on
Supreme Master Television.
May your days
be filled with
the melodies of Heaven.
For more information
on Mr. Daoud Sediqi’s
work with
Voice of America,
please visit:
It was a pleasure to
have your presence today.
Please join us again
next week on
Enlightening Entertainment
for the part 2 of
“Ambitions of Afghanistan:
An Interview with
Daoud Sediqi, Original
Afghan Star TV Host &
Voice of America
Radio Host.”
Up next is
Words of Wisdom,
after Noteworthy News,
here on
Supreme Master Television.
May your days
be filled with
the melodies of Heaven.
Dr. Theresa Ibis is
an alchemist from
the United States who
says the goal of alchemy
is to elevate the world,
materially and spiritually,
to a more purified level.
I think that using
these methods
we can really start
to take our technologies
to a level
that is more holistic,
more sustainable,
more beneficia.l
Find out more about
her exciting work
on Part 2 of
“Indigo Bridge In Service:
Dr. Theresa Ibis”
Monday, January 11, on
Science and Spirituality.
Today’s program
will be presented
in Dari, Pashto and English,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, Hebrew,
English, French,
German, Hungarian,
Indonesian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Thai,
and Spanish.
The year is 2009.
Voice of America,
a world leading
prestigious multimedia
global broadcasting
service, launches
a poetry and song
program in Afghanistan’s
national languages with
a fresh voice of the host.
To many listeners
tuning in around the world,
it is a pleasant surprise,
and so very familiar…
In the Name of the
Great and Merciful God,
Radio Ashna's
Literary Pieces.
To the audience:
Asalam alaikum
(Greetings),
I hope you all are fine,
well, and healthy.
And be happy from
any corner of the world
that you hear our voice
and once more
have good moments
during this program.
I, Daoud Sediqi,
from the last Wednesday
nights and days
will be in your service,
God willing.
You favor my presentations
in the program.
And may it become
your preference
and as the same,
I hope you present
our audiences
your nice poems.
Recognizing
this name and voice,
millions of Afghans
around the world are
thrilled to discover that
Daoud Sediqi,
one of Afghanistan’s
greatest television stars,
is back on the airwaves,
this time hosting
the Ashna Radio program
for Voice of America.
They immediately call in
with great enthusiasm
and encouragement
for a hero.
One of my best memories
of my life
After coming to the US
is that right After airing
of my voice for seconds
on the radio, people had
phone calls with me
and expressed
their contentment.
Gracious viewers,
welcome to
Enlightenment Entertainment
for the second
of our 2-part program
featuring
Mr. Daoud Sediqi, the
original “Afghan Star”
television host and
current Voice of America
(VOA) radio host.
A couple months prior to
his radio appearance,
Daoud Sediqi
was invited to the
Sundance Film Festival
as the main person
featured
in the award-winning
UK documentary
“Afghan Star”
about the popular show
of the same name.
It was then that he
reached the decision
to stay in the US
to fulfill his dream
of bringing peace to
his beloved motherland
through
the international media.
The international media
has its very positive effect,
since in a country,
local media have
their own limitations.
But through
international media,
there can be discussion
over whatever issue
is for the good of people.
One can freely go over
different subjects.
It has very positive effect
and one can convey
the positive message of
the world for his people.
As a seasoned media
personality himself,
Mr. Sediqi especially
believes in the benefits
of open discussions
and meaningful forums
such as those provided
by Voice of America.
Media like
Voice of America can be
proved very useful.
It can touch on
sensitive issues and
can be very useful,
regarding the subject that
there can be dialogue
between the people of
America and Afghanistan.
I think it will be
very good for the people
of Afghanistan.
Voice of America is
the most far-reaching
international broadcaster
funded by
the government
of the United States.
Established in 1942,
it currently broadcasts
more than 1,200 hours
of news every week,
as well as educational
and cultural programs.
These are produced
in 45 languages reaching
150 million listeners
worldwide.
Ms Joan Mower, Director
of Public Relations
at Voice of America,
explains the
organization’s basic goal.
Our mission is to
give fact-based
news and information to
people around the world,
particularly people
who don’t have access to
freedom of information.
So fact-based news,
information,
about the world,
about America and about
local and national events.
That’s our mission.
Radio Ashna of
Voice of America,
is currently
a 12-hour high-quality
program in Dari and
Pashto which broadcasts
daily worldwide
through AM, FM,
and shortwave radio.
It didn’t take long for
Radio Ashna’s producers
to discover the value
of working with
Daoud Sediqi.
He’s terrific.
It’s great to have him.
I think he’s going to be
a great asset
to the Voice of America’s
Afghanistan service, and
to Voice of America
in general.
Ms. Beth Mendelson,
Chief of
the Afghanistan Service
for Voice of America,
often recalls the energy
and determination
she saw in him
when she first met him.
Daoud Sediqi has
contributed to the radio
by reaching out
to listeners across
the seas and generations.
Because of Daoud’s
name recognition,
everybody knows him
as the Afghan Star.
So people are
really calling in,
the switchboards
are lighting up when
he’s on the air, and that’s
really exciting for us, that
we’re able to connect
with a young audience
and I think
an older audience as well.
It is indeed
a wonderful affinity
between Daoud Sediqi
and his fans.
Here, a caller is
dedicating a poem
to Afghanistan
through what is now
an internationalized
Dari and Pashto-speaking
public.
In Love, I have been sad;
I cannot laugh.
When I burst in love
I laugh.
I did not let the love go.
Now they have made
steam with it.
I give feeling to the hearts
of people by poetry.
I give feeling to the hearts
of people by poetry.
I do not allow
its neatness, I tear it
quietly with love…
Come and leave
the rosary and piety
at the altar.
Come and leave
the rosary and piety
at the altar.
Enlightening Entertainment
will return shortly
with our show featuring
Afghan television
and radio host
Mr. Daoud Sediqi.
Please keep your dial
tuned here to
Supreme Master Television.
Thank you for joining us
again for
Enlightening Entertainment
for our program featuring
renowned Afghan TV
and radio host,
Mr. Daoud Sediqi.
Although he misses
his family, friends and
his country, Mr. Sediqi is
nevertheless determined
to make his heartfelt
contribution
before he returns.
He wants to see
his talents and efforts
used fully toward the day
that Afghanistan
and the world embrace
one another,
and exchange with
one another in friendship.
I will go back
to my homeland,
but with full hands,
I want to do something
and return with
full hands.
I love my homeland
very much and
my ambition is that
I see it in peace
and prosperity.
I want to do something
big for my country.
As much as I have energy,
I want do something
that can introduce
Afghanistan
as a nice country,
as an example of
a very good country
with very nice people.
I wish I can become
someone who can do this,
to convey this nice
message of my people
for the world.
It is one of my greatest
ambitions that I love
my country very much.
The numerous callers to
the Radio Ashna program
reflect only a part of what
Mr. Sediqi has brought
to Voice of America.
For him, international media
is like a two-way street
for sharing messages
as well as mutual
acquaintance and respect.
“Believe me,”
BBC’s journalist
Ashish Kumar Sen
quotes Daoud Sediqi
saying, “There are
a lot of good stories
in Afghanistan,
a lot of good people.
Inside, Afghanistan
is beautiful.”
The radio host shares his
thoughts about the role
of international media.
International media
has always had
a positive effect
on Afghanistan,
and right now,
international media
in Afghanistan has been
very successful,
They have got lots of
audiences and viewers,
and provide
the best broadcast
with high standards
for the people.
And also people
can become aware of
the world news.
I think international media,
in addition to
doing a good job,
they also have some
responsibilities.
Since they should respect
the culture and traditions
of a region, they should
observe the customs
and habits
when a country
provides broadcast
for another country.
And programs should be
orchestrated in a way
that fits the the needs
of the audience.
For that same people,
by the will of that people,
the broadcast has been
launched, which is
one of the biggest
responsibilities of
the international media.
Daoud Sediqi’s ambition
is to serve Afghanistan
by presenting
his homeland
with love, to all.
This goal keeps him going.
“Look at me!”
He said to
the BBC reporter.
“I grow up in Kabul
and I am pure Afghan.”
The recognition that
is requested here
is not merely recognition
of his voice, but
that of his generation.
One of the things that has
been very exciting about
having Daoud with us is,
during the presidential
elections that took place
on August 20,
Daoud was able to
interview a lot of
young people,
a lot of students about
how they felt about
President Karzai
and Dr. Abdullah.
And he was really able to
give a fresh and exciting
perspective into what
the young people in
Afghanistan are thinking.
Today, for listeners
of Voice of America,
there is much to
look forward to as well,
for Daoud Sediqi’s
services will only
expand more from here.
What Daoud is doing
right now is he’s
hosting a poetry show
and a talk show,
and he’s also working
as a producer where
he’s highly skilled.
But his real talent for us
is behind the microphone.
He is really comfortable
behind the microphone,
and we’re going to be
having him do special,
special programming
for our television show,
TV Ashna, and I think
that’s where he’s going
to be a huge success.
From “Afghan Star” to
Voice of America radio
to television,
Daoud Sediqi is
on a journey that
is an ever-amplified,
constructive message
for the world.
The people of Afghanistan
are no different of from
people of the world.
We are
all the same humans.
The fondness existing
in other people
exists in us too,
the peace that people
of the world want,
we wish for too.
I think what we do
is to bring peace
for Afghanistan and
for the whole world.
This is Jawed Ahmad,
now I’m Calling from the
United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Jawed Ahmad,
May God bring you,
be in peace, please tell us
what do you have to
present for our audiences?
I present a sonnet
from Mr. Zirak for you.
Yes, please!
The title is
“Poet and Writer.”
“There is a force
for positive change
in your pen.
There is a force
for positive change
in your pen.
In it there exists sincerity
for the hearts.
Many thanks
Mr. Daoud Sediqi
for your admirable
leadership and dedication
to bridging together
a more harmonious world.
We share with you
in striving for an ever
peaceful Afghanistan and
a loving, united planet.
For more information
on Mr. Daoud Sediqi’s
work with
Voice of America,
please visit:
Gracious viewers,
it was a pleasure to
have you with us today.
Up next is
Words of Wisdom,
after Noteworthy News,
here on Supreme Master
Television.
May courage and love
light your way.