Flee Afghanistan to break dance at Paris’24

No one says the word ‘Break dance’. Music, clothing and even the thought of moving to hip-hop rhythms are forbidden. Within Afghanistan of the Taliban, breathing and longing to listen to Western music can lead to severe punishment. And even more so if you are a woman. So, if you can, run away. At night, crossing the mountains and with a destination more uncertain than the one left behind. With a heavy heart, one bids farewell to family and friends, seeking freedom. Manizha Talash (Afghanistan2003), who feels music and freedom in the same way, will compete under the Olympic banner in break dancing (a new Olympic sport) because he cannot do it for Afghanistan. A Afghanistan that she wants to represent when the Taliban that has restricted the sporting aspirations of so many women is no longer there.

The escape

In mid-August 2021, the Taliban regained power Afghanistan. They ruled the country a few years ago, imposed their radical views on Islam, trampled on the most basic freedoms. For many Afghans, returning to live under the yoke of radical Islamists is unviable. Even before the re-establishment of the regime, they suffered threats and even attempted to attack the gym where they trained the alleged suicide bombers. One of the reasons was that they were rehearsing with a woman. Manizha Talash He fell so much into hip hop that he went to the gym (which was founded only six months before the arrival of the Taliban) where the group was formed. Superiors Crew.

Restrictions on freedoms were imposed by force and many did not want to live in fear. The members of Superiors Crew They organized an escape, because they felt their lives were in danger. To the leader of the group, Sajad Temuriam, hip hop instructor and cultural manager. He reached out to contacts for help and to get in touch Pakistan. For 11 months they have been waiting for an organization that will give them support to travel to a Western country. With the help of NGOs People help was able to travel to Spain and a movement also emerged that united the hip hop community from several countries to provide coverage to members of this group through a fundraising campaign with the motto #saveafghanhiphoppers.

Huesca: a quiet destination

One hundred refugees settled Spain. Spread over several cities, Manizha TalashSajad (artistically known as makhloot) Furthermore Nasser Habibione of the oldest hiphoppers in Afghanistan (who is part of the national gymnastics team and a real reference) ‘this is their chance’ Huesca. Manizha He came with one brother, but had to leave the other and his mother there. His friend Tamim Saberian instructor at the same gym, had to wait several months in hiding in the country because his mother was sick and could not travel.

When you reach Huesca They started training in some parks, although when they learned of their history, the ‘Bailalé’ school decided to give them their facilities for free so they could continue training: “We are very happy to have found a safe place if where we are free.”

The difficulty of opening the way

In Afghanistan, girls have a harder time because they are strictly forbidden to play with boys. Few young women dare to challenge the strict social norms. Manizha He explains that “I feel stronger than before and I’m happy, this is what I need” and assures that “I will continue training in this sport despite the problems and obstacles that come.” And she added that “There should be someone who fights and advances in a profession to pave the way for other girls to be interested in the profession.” destruction. My message to girls who are afraid of situations and threats is to go ahead without fear, join sports and do the things you want to do.”