On March 10, 2021, the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan announced a ban on girls 12 years and older from singing in public arenas — this would include being able to participate in singing their National Anthem.

To call attention to this shameful action, Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, Founder and Director of Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), started the #IAmMySong campaign, inviting all musicians to record “a song in solidarity for Afghan females and for all people to have their voices freely heard.”

Our founder, William Harvey, was honored to teach at ANIM and work with Dr. Sarmast from 2010-2014. He saw firsthand that Afghan girls, like girls and boys in all countries, love and value their right to make and listen to music. We urge all to join in this campaign. 

In this video, William plays the beloved Afghan song “Chatri Chatri Gol Astee,” which celebrates Afghan girls.