UK Musicians Supporting The Community In Afghanistan

The Musicians’ Union and the TUC have pledged their support for those in Afghanistan, and have written a letter calling for the UK Government to provide safe, specific, and legal routes to safety for those who are facing the risk of persecution or attack. Expressing concern about the situation and the impact on musicians, music teachers and students, they are sharing an assortment of ways that the music community can help.

The course of action

The MU’s Deputy General Secretary, Naomi Pohl released a statement, explaining the course of action so far, explaining:

“We have heard some concerning reports via members and are liaising with relevant UK and international organisations to offer support, solidarity and explore potential ways we can help practically or through lobbying efforts.”

The TUC have written a letter calling for the UK Government to “provide safe, specific, and legal routes to safety for those who are facing the risk of persecution or attack in Afghanistan. This includes ensuring safe and specific routes to asylum in the UK.”

You can read the letter on the TUC’s website and sign the change.org petition calling for help for Afghan music instructors whose lives are in danger.

How can musicians and the wider community help?

The MU has also published a number of ways that the community of musicians in the UK can get involved, and has shared resources covering several different bases.

• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR UK) have advice on different ways that you can offer support
• If you might be able to offer temporary shelter to a child, family or individual in your home, find out more about Room for Refugees community housing network
• NACCOM is a national network of over 140 frontline organisations and charities across the UK, working together to end destitution amongst people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants, find out more and donate to support their work
• Refugees at Home are taking applications from potential hosts, home visitors and other volunteers, as well as donations to support their work. Find out more on their website
• The Refugee Council website lists information on Community Sponsorship (Yorkshire and the Humber) and renting a home to refugees (London), you can also donate to support their work, and find out more about getting involved in their campaign
• Find out how you can help in Wales on the Welsh Refugee Council website
• Find out how you can help in Scotland on the Scottish Refugee Council website

#IAmMySong

As previously reported by TheatreArtLife in March 2021, the Afghani government had decided to ban music for women and girls in recent months, but reneged on the decision following public backlash and an online campaign titled #IAmMySong. TheatreArtLife highlighted the good work that Northern Ireland organisation Beyond Skin had been doing in collaboration with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (home of the Afghan Women’s Orchestra) and supporting the creation of music amongst girls and women in Afghanistan. Donations can be made on their website as an additional way to support.

Also by Michelle Sciarrotta: