Sonita Alizadeh currently lives in the United States. She will not be physically present to receive the Freedom Prize, Thursday September 30, 2021 at Caen (Calvados). But upstream of the forum Normandy for Peace, we were able to send him the questions for this interview. The young Afghan’s answers in English have been translated into French.

News: Why did you choose song and in particular rap to tell your story and denounce forced marriage and the sorting reserved for millions of children?

Sonita Alizadeh: I never wanted to become a singer because it was against tradition and society in Afghanistan. I just wanted people to hear what I had to say. Music was the best way for me to do it. My first rap song was about child labor because I experienced it. Seeing children working in the streets instead of going to school made me want to share their stories. This is how I decided to use rap as a source of expression of my feelings. Now I use music to raise awareness about the issues that matter most to me. Music is a means of expression, a message to the world. It allowed me to share my story. Rap is a platform to share the words that are in my heart. Rap can change lives. Rap is powerful.

How do you feel knowing that you have chosen to receive the freedom award among students, and therefore adolescents?

HER : I am honored to have been both nominated and selected for this award. That it comes from young people is particularly inspiring. The fact that educators include human rights work in their curriculum and that students participate shows immense hope for the future.

You say you want to come back to your country to defend the rights of children and women, how and with what means?

HER : Currently, I am a university student in the United States. I specialize in human rights and music. The future of Afghanistan is uncertain, things could be very different by the time I graduate. It is difficult for me to answer this question now.

How do you see Afghanistan? Do you still see it as your country?

HER : Afghanistan is a beautiful country with a difficult past. The particular challenges people face, in women and children, are enormous. However, the people have always overcome hardships. I still consider Afghanistan as my country.

What was your life like before the song? And today ?

HER : In Tehran, I was a child laborer and Afghan refugee. Singing is my outlet, my way of expressing myself. Currently, I am a university student. Singing continues to be my passion.

What do you know about Normandy?

HER : I have never been to Normandy. My knowledge of its global significance during WWII from history books, what I was taught and told.

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