The Afghan musician fighting for change through the sitar

Huma Rahimi, one of the first female Afghan sitar players, once hid her music in fear. Now, she performs on global stages, raising awareness about Afghan women and using her art to inspire change.  

Rahimi, 27, spent years defying societal and religious barriers to pursue her passion for music. Starting in Kabul, where playing an instrument, especially as a woman, was far from common. Through resilience and determination, Rahimi rose above the challenges, eventually performing on some of the world’s most renowned stages. 

Rahimi was born into a society where music was often seen as forbidden, and conservative beliefs discouraged artistic expression, especially for women. In a country where female literacy rates were low and female musicians faced harsh criticism, Rahimi’s dream of playing the intricate sitar was a bold act of defiance. At just 13, she enrolled at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul, determined to pursue her passion despite overwhelming odds. 

"My musical instrument was bigger than me," Rahimi said. "But the bigger challenge was my society, which didn’t want women to be musicians. I never could tell my neighbors I was a musician.”  

Despite the skepticism and opposition from her community, Rahimi’s passion for music only grew stronger.  

At ANIM, Rahimi was introduced to the world of Indian classical music, learning the sitar from Indian instructors who had been invited to teach at ANIM. At just 14 years old, she achieved a milestone that would forever change the course of her life—her first performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. The experience was a dream come true for Rahimi, a young girl from Afghanistan, standing on one of the world’s most famous stages, performing before a great audience.  

Huma in the US | Photo Courtesy of Huma Rahimi Submitted to HerStory

“I can’t fully express how I felt—so happy, yet incredibly nervous. It was a moment I’ll never forget. I was feeling so proud,” Rahimi said.  

As Rahimi’s reputation grew, so did the scope of her performances. Over the years, she has performed in countries such as Germany, China, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and many others.  

Rahimi lived in India for three years and earned her bachelor’s degree in Eastern music with a focus on the sitar from the University of Delhi in June 2021.  

"India was where I could get the best education for my music, and that’s exactly what happened," Rahimi said.  

In July 2021, Rahimi returned to Afghanistan to teach at ANIM, the institution where she had received her training. However, just a month after she arrived in Kabul, the Taliban regained control of the country, shattering her sense of peace. She was not only deeply concerned for her own safety but also for the well-being of her family.  

"When the Taliban took over, the first thing I did was hide my sitar at a relative's house," Rahimi said. "I was terrified that the Taliban would find me and kill me and my family because they are against music and musicians."  

With help from international organizations, Rahimi was evacuated to Portugal, along with a team of fellow musicians, in October 2021.  

“It was the darkest day of my life when I had to leave Afghanistan,” Rahimi said.  

For nearly two years, she lived in Portugal, continuing to perform and raise awareness about the plight of Afghan musicians and women. In 2023, she finally made her way to the U.S., where she has since performed in various states, sharing her music and advocating for the rights of Afghan women.  

Rahimi is grateful to be safe in Boston, but her heart remains with the women of Afghanistan, still denied their fundamental rights simply because of their gender. Rahimi recently co-founded a nonprofit organization called “Her Path to Knowledge” to provide underground classes for women who are no longer allowed to get an education.  

“I am free now, but I think every day of those who are still suffering; that’s why I co-founded this organization to provide educational opportunities for a few women,” Rahimi said. “I hope that one day Afghan women can live like women in other countries.”  

Rahimi’s path has taken her from fear to freedom, from hiding her instrument to sharing it with the world. Wherever she plays next, her story travels with her.