There’s a buzz in the air. A new movement that’s united the likes of social media influencers Amtul Baweja, Rabeeya from Soul B*tches, Jasir Abro, actress Sarwat Gilani and choreographer Hasan Rizvi. Joining them are Radio Jockeys Wes Malik, Ghazzl, Ali and Saad.

“Don’t wish to be normal. Wish to be yourself. To the hilt. Find out what you’re best at, and develop it, and hopscotch your weaknesses. Wish to be great at whatever you are.” These words are by prominent writer Lois McMaster Bujold and it seems the personalities mentioned above have taken this message to heart.

Each of them has posted videos on their social media accounts celebrating their uniqueness, diversity, their will and drive to pursue their dreams no matter what. United by City FM89’s ‘Music Out Loud’ movement, they’re sending their message out loud and proud.

“In this constantly changing, fast-paced and fluid world, it is possible to pave your own career path,” says Amtul Baweja in a video posted on her Instagram account, showing clips from her travel and acting reels and photos of her teaching a class. “That’s what I did. I’m an actor, comedian, travel blogger and an educator,” she adds.

Celebrating uniqueness, diversity and the drive to pursue dreams defines City FM89’s ‘Music Out Loud’ movement

All the way in Islamabad, RJ Ghazzl’s Instagram video shows her dancing in the studio right before announcing her show, Midday Madness. “Music is my passion,” she says speaking into the microphone. “Radio helps me go with this passion. Without music I don’t know what my life would be — pretty dull, eh. Other passions … I love to sing, I love to dance. Maybe someday I will. Follow your dreams, your passions, believe in your self expression and embrace your reality.”

True to his identity as a producer, director, musician and co-founder of the music app Jambro, Jasir Abro let his musical instrument speak for him and posted a video titled ‘music out loud meditations’ in which he’s playing a beautiful guitar solo.

“My passion would be helping people,” says social media influencer Rabeeya. “I created a group called Soul B*tches on Facebook. It’s a women’s-only support group where we try to empower each other. [Because] we feel like we don’t have a voice in this world and we want to create a safe place where we can talk about anything and everything because it’s so hard for us to say what we actually feel. We feel like we don’t have the right to say no. We feel like we don’t have the right to leave a bad relationship. We feel like we don’t have the right to educate ourselves.

“My group members work tirelessly every day to bring change,” she adds. “What better way to bring change than to start with yourself? I want people to know that, no matter where you’re from or what walk of life … I don’t want your voice to be unheard. I want you to understand that you’re not alone. That we’re in this fight together. We will make the world a better place.” Indeed. — MS

Published in Dawn, ICON, November 18th, 2018