From Singer to Politician: The Ambitions of Farida Tarana

By Sara Elghobashy

October 12, 2009

Twenty seven-year-old Farida Tarana is set on breaking barriers. She was the first female competitor from Herat to join Afghan Star, the local version of American Idol, ascending to the number 8 position on the widely watched TV program. Now, she has been elected to the 29-seat Kabul Provincial Council, winning with the second highest votes in the country out of 524 candidates.

“When I competed for Afghan Star, I wanted to prove that a woman from Herat could sing. Now that I have been elected to the provincial council, I will prove to people that a lady who can sing can be in politics as well.” Well, she has certainly proved that a woman who sings can be popularly elected.

It has been over 6 weeks since the Afghan elections took place on August 20th. Because the world is focused on the fraud allegations of the presidential election, very little has been written about the Provincial Council, which is understandable considering how little power it holds. However, some believe the council elections are a sign of hope. They proved that Afghans are far more liberal than people presume. They also provide a stepping stone for young Afghan citizens looking to break into politics. More and more young people are beginning to realize that they are an important part of the equation for change in Afghanistan and that it is their responsibility to build the type of the country they hope to live in.

Though Afghanistan has been represented by burka-clad women and bearded militants for almost a decade now, electing a young woman sends a powerful message not only to the clerics and tribal leaders who have scorned her for her singing and for her political ambitions, but also to the world. And don’t worry, Tarana is perfectly aware that she will not be able to champion any big changes for Afghanistan on the council, but believes her presence there is still a powerful statement.

“I first started thinking about politics when I was having so many problems on Afghan Star. No one in government supported me, and those in power condemned me. Now I can be supportive of youth who are willing to rise up and do something positive,” says Tarana, who considers a seat on the provincial council seat a stepping-stone to parliament and possibly even the presidency. “Everyone needs a goal. If you don’t try, you won’t achieve. So why not go for it?”

Photo credit: MASSOUD HOSSAINI/AFP/Getty Images

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