{{Short description|Afghan singer (born 1985)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Aryana Sayeed | image = Aryana Sayeed gives her speech on how she uses social media for positive way (cropped).jpg | caption = Aryana Sayeed giving a speech | native_name = آريانا سعيد | birth_date = {{birth_year_and_age|1985}}<ref name="TOLOnews">{{Cite web |title=Aryana Awarded Atlantic Council 2018 Freedom Award |work=TOLOnews |date=24 June 2018 |accessdate=17 January 2019 |url=https://www.tolonews.com/arts-culture/aryana-awarded-atlantic-council-2018-freedom-award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119120842/https://www.tolonews.com/arts-culture/aryana-awarded-atlantic-council-2018-freedom-award |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | death_date = | birth_place = Kabul, Democratic Republic of Afghanistan | death_place = | resting_place = | years_active = 2008–present | occupation = {{flat list| * Singer * Musician * Songwriter * Philanthropist * Goodwill Ambassador }} | relatives = Nadia Nadim (niece) | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano}} | genre = {{hlist|Pop music|R&B|hip hop|Afghan folkloric music}} | label = Sherzaad Entertainment }} | website = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/aryanamusic|facebook.com/aryanamusic}} }} '''Aryana Sayeed''' (Pashto/Dari: {{nq|آريانا سعيد}}, born 1985) is an Afghan pop singer and women rights activist. She sings mostly in Persian but also has many songs in Pashto. Sayeed also had hosting roles in musical television shows for the 1TV and has served as a Judge on musical talent shows such as TheVoice Afghanistan, Afghan Star and Afghan Superstar TOLO networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hasrat-Nazimi |first=Waslat |last2=Amanullah |first2=Jawad |title=Why is singer Aryana Sayeed seen as a threat to Afghan conservatism? {{!}} DW {{!}} 18.08.2017 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-singer-aryana-sayeed-seen-as-a-threat-to-afghan-conservatism/a-40149324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012706/https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-singer-aryana-sayeed-seen-as-a-threat-to-afghan-conservatism/a-40149324 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=2022-02-24 |website=DW.COM |language=en-GB}}</ref> Sayeed has established herself as one of Afghanistan's most famous contemporary musical artists,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-singer/defying-threats-afghan-singer-aryana-comes-home-for-women-idUSKCN1QX01M |title=Defying threats, Afghan singer Aryana comes home for women|author1=Orooj Hakimi|author2= Rod Nickel|date=16 March 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726113429/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-singer/defying-threats-afghan-singer-aryana-comes-home-for-women-idUSKCN1QX01M |archive-date=26 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> performing regularly in concerts and philanthropic festivals within and outside Afghanistan.
==Early life and education== Sayeed was born in 1985 in Kabul, Afghanistan to an ethnic Pashtun father and a Persian-speaking mother.<ref name="TOLOnews"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Marina |title=Afghan women urge EU leaders to not recognize Taliban {{!}} DW {{!}} 02.02.2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/afghan-women-urge-eu-leaders-to-not-recognize-taliban/a-60636837 |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=DW.COM |language=en-GB}}</ref> She left Afghanistan with her parents when she was 8 years old and lived in Islamabad, Pakistan before briefly settling in Switzerland and then in London, England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nato-engages.org/speakers/aryana-sayeed/|title=Aryana Sayeed|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826234227/https://nato-engages.org/speakers/aryana-sayeed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TOLOnews" /> By the age of 12, she had obtained admission to a music school where she would perform in places with a choir.
== Music career== thumb|Sayeed performing in 2019 Sayeed's first single, in 2009, was Mashallah. However, the turning point in her career came after her song ''Afghan Pesarak'' was released in 2010.<ref>{{YouTube|oIu5saOfryE}}</ref> Aryana Sayeed eventually became a household name in many Afghan homes outside Afghanistan and was requested to perform at many concerts around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.silkroadrepublic.com/aryana-sayeed-wearing-who-she-is/ |title=Silk Road Republic | Aryana Sayeed: Wearing Who She is |access-date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201161333/http://www.silkroadrepublic.com/aryana-sayeed-wearing-who-she-is/ |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the peak of all the sudden success, Aryana decided to go to Afghanistan and perform at concerts in her fragile home country.
Aryana rose to fame there with her version of an old classic Afghan song, ''Gule Seb''. It was during these initial days in Afghanistan when she filmed her next song ''Dilam Tang Ast''. The success of the song resulted in an Award for best song filmed inside Afghanistan at the Aryana Television Awards. It also resulted in a new career as a TV host at one of Afghanistan's leading entertainment channels.<ref name="thevoiceafghanistan.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thevoiceafghanistan.com/aryana-sayeed-0|title=Aryana Sayeed|date=15 May 2013|accessdate=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020259/http://www.thevoiceafghanistan.com/aryana-sayeed-0|archive-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Her next song ''Hairanam'' did reasonably well. Aryana followed this up with an upbeat nationalistic song to encourage the art of sports in her country. Several singers were signed on to make the song, ''Afghanistan Afghanistan''.
Sayeed's song ''Banoo e Atash Nasheen'', which describes the pain the women of Afghanistan have faced over years of war and abuse, has won her enormous critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Aryana-Sayeed-la-voix-de-la-liberte-525201|title=Afghanistan – Aryana Sayeed, la voix de la liberté|date=23 August 2013 |accessdate=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612112246/http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Aryana-Sayeed-la-voix-de-la-liberte-525201|archive-date=12 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A large orchestra has contributed to the music of the song and the shooting took place inside Afghanistan. Shortly after the song was released, Aryana was asked for an interview by the BBC to explain her reason and meaning behind the song. Her next big hit was Anaram Anaram which put Aryana back at the top of the charts in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/bbc-world-service/afghan-singer-aryana-sayeed|title=Afghan singer Aryana Sayeed tells Newsday about death threats she's received|accessdate=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044410/https://soundcloud.com/bbc-world-service/afghan-singer-aryana-sayeed|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/topic/event/cyclone-phailin-bbc-world-news-speaks-to-afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-video-TC-hjI0xRQY-230169-1.html|title=Latest News, Articles, Photos, Images and Videos on range of topics – Firstpost|accessdate=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160236/http://www.firstpost.com/topic/event/cyclone-phailin-bbc-world-news-speaks-to-afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-video-TC-hjI0xRQY-230169-1.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2019, Sayeed won the Afghan Icon Award and was named the 2017 Best Female Artist of Afghanistan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://sherzaad.com/|title=Sherzaad Entertainment – Afghanistan's Leading Entertainment Entity|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127005921/https://sherzaad.com/|archive-date=27 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She also received the title "Voice of Afghanistan" from the Afghanistan National Television and Radio Network. Aryana has also received awards for Best Song of the Year, Best Video of the Year, and a Bravery Award.<ref name=":0" />
==Television career== It wasn't long before Aryana Sayeed was signed on by one of the leading entertainment channels in Afghanistan, 1TV. Her show, Music Night (''Shab-e Mosiqi''), involved her performing and interviewing other artists. The show was a success and after the first season Aryana left to go back home in London. Shortly after this Aryana Sayeed was signed by TOLO TV as one of the judges at The Voice of Afghanistan in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/108265/afghan-female-stars-defy-clerics-pressure|title=Afghan female stars defy clerics' pressure|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=16 August 2013|accessdate=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812140422/http://entertainment.inquirer.net/108265/afghan-female-stars-defy-clerics-pressure|archive-date=12 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> She continued her collaboration with the TV station and subsequently became a judge on another talent show, ''Afghan Star''.<ref name="thevoiceafghanistan.com"/>
== Activism == Sayeed was a supporter of the #WhereIsMyName campaign led by Laleh Osmany, which brought about a change in Afghan law so that women's names could be included on identity cards.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-07-24|title=WhereIsMyName: Afghan women campaign for the right to reveal their names|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53436335|access-date=2020-12-20}}</ref>
Aryana Sayeed expresses patriotism for Afghanistan and a fondness for India, which she stated is a "true friend" to Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goswami |first1=Sohini |title=Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed says India 'true friend', slams Pakistan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-says-india-true-friend-slams-pakistan-101629791967387.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=24 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed blames Pak for empowering Taliban, terms India 'true friend' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-blames-pak-for-empowering-taliban-terms-india-true-friend/articleshow/85587087.cms |website=The Times of India |date=24 August 2021}}</ref>
Aryana had the honour of performing at UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in Paris, France representing Afghanistan in the presence of multiple presidents and Prime Ministers of various countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=World leaders and renowned artists celebrate UNESCO at 75|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/world-leaders-and-renowned-artists-celebrate-unesco-75|website=UNESCO |date=12 November 2021}}</ref> Aryana dedicated her performance to Afghanistan and all those who have lost their homes and are living a life of exile in other countries.
==Personal life== Sayeed got engaged to her manager, Hasib Sayed, in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.afghan-web.com/biographies/biography-of-aryana-sayeed/ |title=Biography of Aryana Sayeed|date=8 April 2018|publisher=afghan-web.com |access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726113433/https://www.afghan-web.com/biographies/biography-of-aryana-sayeed/ |archive-date=26 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In August 2021, following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, she was evacuated from Kabul to Doha, Qatar on an American military flight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/afghan-pop-star-aryana-flees-from-country-amid-fear-of-life-under-taliban-rule-406914 |title=Afghan pop star Aryana flees from country amid fear of life under Taliban rule |website=wionews.com |date=19 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Nzanga|first1=Merdie|last2=Savoy|first2=Greg|date=2021-08-24|title=Afghan star Aryana Sayeed recounts harrowing escape from Kabul|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-star-aryana-sayeed-recounts-harrowing-escape-kabul-2021-08-24/|access-date=2022-02-24|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827051143/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-star-aryana-sayeed-recounts-harrowing-escape-kabul-2021-08-24/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 25 August 2021, she was reported to be living in Los Angeles, California in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/news/afghan-pop-star-says-she-was-hopeless-fleeing-taliban-t228940|title = Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed says she was 'hopeless' while fleeing Taliban| date=24 August 2021 }}</ref>
Her niece Nadia Nadim, who was only 11 when she fled to Denmark with her family as a refugee, plays for the Denmark national football team.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 July 2017|title=Nadia Nadim – Dänemarks "Zlatan"|newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel Online|url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball-em-der-frauen-nadia-nadim-daenemarks-zlatan/20122314.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726113430/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball-em-der-frauen-nadia-nadim-daenemarks-zlatan/20122314.html|archive-date=26 July 2019|access-date=26 July 2019|publisher=tagesspiegel.de}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Instagram}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayeed, Aryana}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Folk-pop singers Category:Entertainers from Kabul Category:Afghan women singers Category:Pashtun people Category:Afghan Tajik people Category:Pashtun women singers Category:Tajik singers Category:Persian-language Afghan singers Category:Uzbek-language singers Category:21st-century women singers Category:Afghan expatriates in Pakistan Category:Afghan women's rights activists Category:21st-century Afghan women singers