The Song That Sparked a Movement in Afghanistan | Nila Ibrahimi | TED

Summary

In her TED talk, Nila Ibrahimi shares the powerful story of Afghan girls' resilience under the Taliban regime. She recounts her own journey of activism, starting with a song advocating for girls' education and how it led to a global movement that momentarily reversed a public singing ban. After the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, Nila and her family fled, seeking safety in Pakistan before resettling in Canada. With unwavering courage, Nila calls on the world to support Afghan girls who continue to fight for their rights, despite the oppressive regime. Her message is one of hope, defiance, and the power of education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nila Ibrahimi begins by singing a song in Farsi that encourages girls to pursue education and challenges restrictions on girls' rights to sing in public.
• 😀 The song Nila performed was initially seen as a form of protest against the ban on girls singing in public, which was imposed in March 2021.
• 😀 After the release of videos supporting the cause, the ban on girls singing in public was reversed within a few weeks, thanks to the efforts of brave Afghan girls and media coverage.
• 😀 Nila did not foresee that just months after the ban was lifted, the Taliban would take control of Afghanistan, leading to a drastic change in the country's situation.
• 😀 Nila discovered the power of her voice through activism, particularly when she stood up against the ban, but the Taliban's takeover left her feeling like that power was stripped away.
• 😀 The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, coincided with Nila's final exams, which were canceled as the situation rapidly deteriorated.
• 😀 Nila's family, who were well-connected, faced immediate danger after the fall of the Afghan government. Her mother began burning sensitive documents to protect them.
• 😀 Nila's confidence and sense of security were shattered after the Taliban's takeover, but she made it her mission to regain her power by escaping Afghanistan.
• 😀 Nila and her family fled to Pakistan shortly after the Taliban's arrival. They eventually resettled in Canada with the help of the 30 Birds Foundation, after waiting in Pakistan for several months.
• 😀 Despite the trauma and uncertainty, Nila is grateful for the opportunity to speak out and is committed to advocating for Afghan girls, hoping they can regain their voice and power, just like she did.
• 😀 In her TED talk, Nila directly addresses the Taliban, emphasizing that Afghan girls continue to fight for their rights, education, and freedom, despite being oppressed and lacking resources.

Q & A

What was the song that Nila Ibrahimi sang at the beginning of the TED talk about?

The song was about encouraging girls to go to school and supporting education. Nila mentioned it was a form of protest, especially against the ban on girls singing in public in Afghanistan at the time.

How did the ban on girls singing in public impact Nila Ibrahimi?

Nila used her voice through singing as a form of protest. The ban inspired her activism, and she saw it as a way to stand against the oppression girls faced in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of restrictions on their education and freedom of expression.

What happened after Nila's participation in the 'I'm My Song' movement?

After the movement gained momentum, the decision to ban girls from singing in public was reversed, thanks to the efforts of Nila, other brave girls, and the media's role in amplifying their voices.

What unexpected event occurred after the ban was reversed?

Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021, which shocked Nila and marked a turning point in her life. This event undermined the progress that had been made, and she felt her activism and the power of her voice were taken away.

How did Nila Ibrahimi react to the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban?

Nila felt a deep sense of loss as everything she had worked for seemed to be taken away in an instant. She described the experience as surreal and realized that she had to fight to regain her sense of power and activism.

How did Nila escape Afghanistan after the Taliban took control?

Nila and her family escaped to Pakistan five days after the Taliban took over. Their background made them a target, and they sought refuge with the help of the 30 Birds Foundation, which eventually helped them resettle in Canada after several months in Pakistan.

What role did the 30 Birds Foundation play in Nila’s journey?

The 30 Birds Foundation assisted Nila and her family in resettling in Canada after they had spent around eight or nine months in Pakistan. The foundation helped provide them with the necessary support to escape the oppressive conditions under the Taliban regime.

What message did Nila Ibrahimi give to the Taliban at the TED stage?

Nila addressed the Taliban directly, stating that she was not angry but emphasizing that the girls she had met, both displaced and living under the Taliban’s oppression, were still fighting. She expressed that their resilience should be heard and appreciated.

What does Nila Ibrahimi want the world to understand about Afghan girls?

Nila wants the world to know that Afghan girls are resilient, and despite the extreme oppression they face, they have not given up. Their strength, courage, and determination should be supported and recognized globally.

How did Nila describe her personal transformation throughout this journey?

Nila described her journey as a process of discovering the power of her voice. Initially, she felt her activism and confidence were shattered when the Taliban took over, but she fought to regain her sense of agency and continues to use her voice to advocate for Afghan girls and their rights.