Sept 27/10 - Pt 3: Afghan Pop Star

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Afghan Pop Star - Mozhdah Jamalzadah

We started this segment with a song that shot Mozhdah Jamalzadah to stardom in Afghanistan. Mozhdah was born in Kabul. She moved to Vancouver with her family as a young child. But as she grew up, she kept an eye on what was happening in Afghanistan. And she didn't like what she was seeing ... especially when it came to how women were being treated. A few years ago, she decided to do something about it and used her music to promote change.

And along with a singing career, Mozhdah Jamalzadah has her own TV talk show. She has been called "the Oprah of Afghanistan." Millions of Afghans follow her every word and she is using that platform to talk about some traditionally sensitive subjects from divorce to domestic abuse.

Mozhdah Jamalzadah is back in Canada on vacation right now. And she was in our Vancouver studio.

Mozhdah was invited to perform at the White House in March - in celebration of International Women's Day. She was the first Afghan woman to perform at the White House. She sang Afghan Girl.

Last Word - New York Festival Win

We wanted to send end the program today with some news about a documentary that aired last year on The Current. Twice Lost has won both the coveted Grand Award gold medal and the gold medal in the Health and Medical category at the 2010 New York Festivals International Radio Awards. It was produced by the CBC's Alison Myers and Dick Miller -- The Current's documentary producer.

It tells the story of a sister and brother named Kerry and Ron. They were close growing up. But their relationship was shattered when Ron began exhibiting aggressive, anti-social and even violent behaviour. Years later, they found out that Ron's behaviour stemmed from the fact that he suffered from Huntington's Disease ... and that he probably didn't have long to live. After that, Kerry and Ron began trying to rebuild their relationship.

We ended the program with part of their story from the award-winning documentary, Twice Lost. To listen to the full documentary, click here.