Project History: Marking Our Foundations with Beyond Skin

As we continue to develop our community presence, Alghochak looks back at our official origins. Founded on December 6th, 2022, as part of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Festival, our launch marked the establishment of a dedicated collective to celebrate, integrate, and preserve Afghan culture within Northern Ireland.  

The inaugural event was held at the Stormont Parliament Buildings, sponsored by Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA and the International Campaign for Afghan Musicians (ICFAM). The launch featured performances by world-class Afghan musicians Saphwat Simab (Rubab) and Junaid Ali (Tabla), who traveled from London for the event.  

A Safe Platform for Cultural Preservation

The establishment of Alghochak represents a vital show of solidarity. With music and creative expression currently forbidden under the regime in Afghanistan, Belfast—as a UNESCO City of Music—serves as a necessary platform to preserve this cultural heritage.  

As our Chair, Fatima Sarwari, shared at our founding:  

"Our main plan is to support and preserve Afghan culture, but also to support people who are coming here from Afghanistan. We want to integrate the people of Afghanistan here in this community, and also to raise awareness of people seeking sanctuary."  

Our name itself reflects this mission. In Dari, Alghochak represents a stone thrown into water to act as a stepping stone when there is no bridge. We remain committed to acting as that stable bridge, working closely with friends in the creative and community sectors to offer information, build local connections, and ensure Afghan identity thrives safely in its new home.