PARACHINAR: A folk artist in the conflict-affected Kurram district has set up a music academy, first of its kind in the tribal district, to teach playing musical instruments to youth.

Twenty eight young men have already enrolled in the academy.

Imtiaz Hussain, the son of a local artist Abid Hussain from Boghaki village of Parachinar, has opened up the music academy in Parachinar.

Artist resolves to fight extremist mindset

He himself wanted to become musician and learnt to play rabab and after some time he thought he should take a step that would encourage others to learn music too. He started to work on the music academy last year in August.

The opening of the first ever music academy in the terror-hit city of Parachinar is a sign of peace.

This tribal district has seen sectarian conflict, militancy and dozens of suicide attacks in the past decade or so.

“The world of music takes you away from anxiety and tension. Youth affected by terrorism feel peace by learning music,” Imtiaz Hussain told Dawn.

He said that he wanted to launch the musical academy earlier but failed because of the wave of terrorism. “Music itself brings peace and harmony. A singer or musician is a harmless person and only spreads music,” he said, adding that there was finally comparatively peace in the city.

The students at the academy will be taught the techniques of playing rabab, harmonium and singing in the traditional Pashto style.

“Music, beauty and fine arts are symbols of a balanced life and a normal human being, who believes in humanity, friendship and interaction with everyone,” said Shahid Hussain, a local activist, who encouraged Imtiaz Hussain to start the music academy. He said that such healthy activities were the only way to fight against the extremist mindset and ensure durable peace.

“Music has been my passion since I was a child. I launched this academy to soften the hearts affected by terrorism and bring peace and music into the life of local people,” said Imtiaz.

He said that he and those, who got enrolled into his music academy, were students so they lacked proper equipment and musical instruments. He hoped that someone would help and guide them to improve the academy.

He said that he wanted to develop the academy as a proper music school. He said that he was teaching music to Pakhtuns living abroad.

There were about 15 such students to whom he sent music lesson videos and was teaching them to play musical instruments.

However, some elders stopped youth from learning music calling it forbidden. “Such a mindset is a problem but I have taken up this profession and would make it my passion,” said Imtiaz Hussain.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2019