MASOUD HASSAN ZAI USES CULTURE TO MOBILIZE AFGHANS FOR VOTING
October 1, 2015
Masoud Hassan Zai uses culture to mobilize Afghans for voting by Archiwal Ahmadullah
In 2004, for the first time in history, Afghans exercised their political rights and elected their first President. In 2009 Afghans exercised their political rights for the 2nd time in the 2nd presidential elections in 2009. Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness about the importance and procedures of elections, awareness and security continue to be major issues in conducting elections in Afghanistan, despite the fact that the constitution of Afghanistan binds all relevant governmental and nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan to help the Afghanistan Independent Elections Commission conduct free and fair elections.
In addition to governmental and nongovernmental entities, many prominent singers and other influential individuals have extended their support to the elections commission in various ways, including increasing visibility in the public outreach sector of elections. They not only motivated people to take part in elections but also educated the public in elections procedures.
Masoud Hassan Zai, a Hirati based singer, and his Morcha Band, was one group that propagated the message about elections in Afghanistan. Through his pop song, “Masoud,” Hassan Zai warns the audience about the lack of honesty among candidates. He informs the audiences about the fake promises of the presidential candidates and says that everyone makes huge promises during elections campaigns, but does nothing for improving people’s lives once elections are over.
Shafiqullah, 34, who cast his vote in the presidential elections in 2009 and 2014, says that music is an important part of Afghan culture, and has the potential to educate, inform and entertain people. Although pop music is a relatively new experience in Afghanistan, Shafiqullah believes Massoud’s band is a very effective medium for conveying the message, to youths in particular.
Nurul Habib Nisar, an official in the Afghanistan Independent Commission, believes that culture plays a very important role in changing people’s attitude. He observes that historically most socio-economic and political changes that took place in Afghanistan were alien to our culture, which caused trouble in Afghanistan.
Since music is an important part of our Afghan culture, it has the potential to motivate people to cast their votes and educate themselves about elections and election-related processes, Nisar added.
Nisar observed that Massoud’s songs have the potential to change people’s mentality not only about taking parts in elections but also making the right choice in the presidential elections.
Al Jazeera America: Afghanistan prepares to vote. Image: An Afghan woman receives her voter card at a voter registration center in Kabul
Ahmadullah Archiwal is president of the Organization for Social, Cultural, Awareness, and Rehabilitation (OSCAR) and is pioneer of trainings on nonviolent civic mobilization in Afghanistan.