Whirling for Peace: Celebrating International Women’s Day at Queen’s University

For International Women’s Day 2026, Belfast became the stage for a deeply moving display of cultural resilience, artistic freedom, and international solidarity.

Alghochak was incredibly proud to stand as a supporting partner alongside Beyond Skin for a landmark event hosted at Queen’s University Belfast on Sunday 8th March. Funded through the PeacePlus ACCEPT Programme, the gathering brought together diverse communities from across Northern Ireland to amplify the voices of women who refuse to be silenced.

The absolute highlight of the evening was a breathtaking performance by our special guest, Fahima Mirzaie—activist, economist, and globally recognized as one of Afghanistan’s most prominent female Sufi whirling dervishes.

A Whirling Protest and a Message of Healing

Fahima Mirzaie's journey to Belfast is one of immense bravery. In 2019, she founded Shohod Arefan (The Intuition of Mystics) in Kabul—a historic, female-led, mixed-gender Sufi dance school aimed at fostering inner peace and supporting mental health. When the political landscape shifted in 2021, her school was targeted and she was forced to flee her homeland to seek safety in France, eventually leading to her recognition as one of the BBC 100 Women.

Because the performance of the sacred Sema ceremony by women is strictly forbidden under the current regime back home, every turn Fahima made on the stage at Queen’s University was a profound act of peaceful resistance.

As the music swelled, her performance transcended a mere display of artistic skill. It became a shared meditation, a physical prayer for the rights of Afghan women, and a message of spiritual healing that connected her heritage directly with the audience in Belfast.

Standing Together in Belfast

The event successfully brought together local peacebuilding networks—including Alternatives Restorative Justice, Springboard Opportunities, and Include Youth—showing funders how Alghochak actively bridges international human rights with local community integration.  

Our involvement in International Women’s Day didn't stop at Queen’s University. Across a full four-day itinerary from March 6th to 9th, our committee members joined Fahima and local advocates at the city-wide IWD March and Rally, as well as cross-cultural music collaborations including the stunning Tarang: Wave of Melodies concert at Methodist College Belfast.  

By creating safe spaces for at-risk artists to share their stories, Alghochak continues to ensure that the flame of Afghan creative expression and female leadership burns brightly, right here in Northern Ireland.