image: visual.dichotomy

Discourse around the war on terror often focuses on troops, militia, car bombs and oppression. But ‘Afghan Star’, Afghanistan’s version of the X-Factor attracts over 11 million viewers, enabling Afghan citizens to escape the violence of their everyday lives through pop music, and was made into an award winning documentary in 2009.
 
The people of Afghanistan love it, claiming music as their way to heal the broken societies they are a part of; but the officials hate it - with threats from fundamentalist Muslims (women and various ethnic groups are allowed to take part).
 
Does this signify an emancipated state and show the power of the Afghan youth, or does it further demonstrate the continued oppression? If the female contestants are forbidden from dancing (when one participant did she was subject to government action) then should the people of Afghanistan really be celebrating it?
 
Risking their lives, the performers participate in a standard format competition for a prize worth ten times the average Afghan salary. The public vote by text, enabling a national unity - shared experience through media and culture instead of war.
 
In Britain, reality TV may be somewhat of a guilty pleasure, but in a country where everybody knows someone who has been killed, it is important to think about the power in popular culture, which allows equality and normality amongst citizens. By giving each viewer a chance to vote, it is perhaps more democratic than the 2010 parliamentary election, allowing citizens choice, and letting them influence without fear of violence (even if the decision is about who gets eliminated that week rather than who runs the country).
 
There is an argument that this kind of activity, where many participants did indeed risk their lives to be involved, should be encouraged and supported by international forces. Arts and culture, these are the things that make a difference to citizens on the ground, people who need a distraction and a future out of the collective mourning that is so unavoidable in Afghanistan.

We will be looking at the many sides to the war in Afghanistan in the debate ‘The War on Terror was the right response to 9/11’, September 6.