Publications

Film-maker Shaharbanoo Sadat describes her evacuation from Afghanistan after its recapture by the Taliban. She writes about the anguish of leaving her home, the terrifying and chaotic experience of securing places for herself and her family in the last planes out of the country – and her determination to return home some day. … Read More >The split in my heart

Artistic freedom and freedom of speech are under sustained attacks in Zimbabwe, despite these twin forms of freedom being a yardstick of good governance and political enlightenment. In this situation, artists’ voices become fundamentally valuable. … Read More >Zimbabwe needs art to challenge extremism

The Islamic State, like the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, do not tolerate musical instruments, but they certainly understand the power of chants. The biggest ‘musical difference’ between the two is that whereas ISIS make use of modern, sophisticated recording technology, the Taliban of the 1990s produced very simple chants based on original Pashto folk songs, recorded with a lot of echo, a technique which is commonly used for Quranic recitation in mosques. … Read More >Songs of terror, songs of hate

Despite claims of prosperity, peace and unity, polarisation is the true legacy of the Hong Kong protests … Read More >Hong Kong stands divided