Date: December 11, 2016
Location: Aiwan-e-Quaid, Islamabad
Remarks as Prepared
Good evening. Welcome to Aiwan-e-Quaid and to Mahogany Jones’ last performance here in Islamabad!
Music is powerful. An Artist’s lyrics can challenge our understanding of the world around us and open our minds to new ideas. Music can also bridge the gap between different cultures. Today, we’ll be enjoying the sounds of Mahogany Jones, an American hip-hop and R&B artist. Hip hop started in the Bronx with DJs mixing songs and sounds from different places together. In a way, this is a metaphor for the strength and beauty of the United States. I hope the audience will enjoy the music, but also learn a bit more about American culture by experiencing hip-hop this evening.
In addition to a celebration of music, we’re also here to remind you about the campaign for “16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.” The official campaign has just come to a close. But that does not mean our activism should come to an end. We need to work to protect and advance the fundamental right of protection from all violence and this protection should be for all people. It is up to all of us — as sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, and as citizens of this world — to end violence against women and girls all around the world.
Thanks to Mahogany Jones for coming to perform, to John Ferguson and the American Voices team as well as Michelle Tania Butt and the whole Kuch Khaas Centre for Arts, Culture, and Dialogue team for coordinating the visit, and to the embassy’s Public Affairs Team for all of your work to put on this concert.
Thanks, and enjoy the show!
