Arooj Aftab
On the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan in Washington, Arooj Aftab, a Grammy award winner, received the “President’s Pride of Performance” award. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, bestowed the award upon Arooj. She is the first Pakistani woman to secure a Grammy award.
Aftab, an internationally acclaimed Pakistani-American vocalist, music composer, and producer is now based in the United States. She specializes in fusion jazz and neo-sufi music. Her Grammy win occurred in 2022.
During the ceremony, the citation announced, “In recognition of her exceptional contribution to promoting Pakistani musical traditions in the United States and around the world, the President of Pakistan has granted Arooj Aftab the President’s Pride of Performance award.”
Ambassador Masood applauded her particularly in bridging the gap between the two nations through the medium of music. He stated that diplomacy and international relations are heavily influenced by perceptions.
Arooj Aftab has played a role in reshaping Pakistan’s image through her musical prowess. He emphasized, “Pakistanis love music. There are no restrictions on music.”
Arooj expressed that this moment was ideal for recognizing the integral role of literature, poetry, and music. She noted that Pakistanis are inherently romantic people.
She considered the award as a source of pride and inspiration for fellow female artists in Pakistan. This occasion marked a significant milestone for Pakistani female musicians.
During her speech, Arooj also paid homage to legendary Pakistani female singers, from Mukhtar Begum to Abida Parveen, acknowledging their pivotal influence on her journey. She attributed her success to their contributions, remarking, “I don’t think I would be standing here if it wasn’t for them.”
Additionally, she extended gratitude to her parents for their unwavering support throughout her career.
