Ustad Mahwash Tribute Concert

Uplift Afghanistan Fund and the Civic Engagement Project were given the extraordinary chance to honor Ustad Mahwash at Atelier Jolie (formerly Jean-Michel Basquiat’s home & studio). We gathered with friends, artists, and community, sharing music, stories, and soulful Afghan food by Basir Shakeri. The love in the room was so genuine it moved Ustad to momentarily come out of retirement and sing in celebration. And Meghan Kabir closed the night with a beautiful tribute to Ustad.

Thank you, Sam Javadi, for documenting Ustad Mahwash’s journey and giving the world the gift of her legacy.

To all the extraordinary women, Afghan and all our sisters in solidarity, who made this possible, our gratitude is endless.

And above all, thank you, Ustad Mahwash, the most humble, heart-centered woman. Your voice and your courage show us that even in exile, music endures, and through it, so do we.

May we continue to protect, preserve, and share Afghan arts and culture with love and courage.