On a sunny afternoon in Islamabad, Pakistan, the sound of guitars fills a small bedroom where four young Afghan girls practice their music. Yasemin, Zakia, Shukriya, and Uzra, aged seven to eighteen, are refugees who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. They live in a two-storey house with their families, where they spend hours honing their musical skills.
Yasemin, known as Jellybean, is the oldest and serves as the group’s lead guitarist. She dreams of meeting her idol, David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. The girls learned to play at Miraculous Love Kids, a music school in Kabul founded by Lanny Cordola, a rock musician from California. The school aimed to empower girls through music, and it helped the girls learn not only guitar but also basic English.
Their lives changed dramatically when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Fearing for their safety, Cordola worked tirelessly to help them escape. After months of planning, he successfully brought seven of his students and their families to Islamabad in April 2022. However, the situation remains precarious. The Pakistani government has announced plans to deport Afghan nationals, including those with documentation, by June 30. For the girls, the deadline is even closer, with deportations set to begin on April 1.
Despite the challenges, the girls continue to practice. They gather at Yasemin and Uzra’s home for jam sessions, where they laugh and support each other. Zakia enjoys playing Coldplay songs, while Shukriya admires South Korean band BTS. Little Uzra, the youngest, captures attention with her sweet voice.
Their passion for music has led them to connect with renowned artists. In 2024, they recorded a cover of Sia’s song "Unstoppable," which received praise from the singer herself in a heartfelt video message. The girls expressed their gratitude, saying Sia’s words gave them hope during tough times.
The girls’ journey into music began when they were children selling goods on the streets of Kabul. Yasemin met Cordola while selling candy, and he encouraged her to join his music school. Initially hesitant, her father eventually supported her decision, realizing the opportunity could change her life. Zakia and Shukriya followed similar paths, leaving behind their street work to pursue music.
Now, as they face uncertainty in Pakistan, the girls worry about what will happen next. Returning to Afghanistan would likely mean giving up music forever. They dream of becoming professional musicians and hope to stay together, no matter where they end up.
Cordola continues to advocate for their resettlement, reaching out to contacts in the U.S. government to help secure their future. He has even written an open letter to former President Trump, urging him to allow the girls into the United States. The girls remain hopeful, believing that their music can change their lives and inspire others.
As they navigate their daily lives filled with music, practice, and dreams, the girls hold onto their guitars tightly. For them, music is not just a hobby; it is a lifeline. Yasemin reflects, “Whenever I’m sad, I hold my guitar and forget all of the sadness.” Their story is a reminder of the resilience of young artists who continue to strive for their dreams, even in the face of adversity.