Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Dari and English, with subtitles in Arabic, Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai and Spanish.

Kabul, oh Kabul, I’m away from you In a stranger’s land I’m left alone Kabul, oh Kabul, I’m away from you In the land of strangers I’m left alone Whether you're Herati or Mazari Either from Kabul or from Kandahar Either from Kabul or from Kandahar Or from Panjsher or Baghlan or Balkh

Welcome, artistic viewers, to Enlightening Entertainment on Supreme Master Television.

Afghanistan is a culturally-rich country that is abundant with artistic treasures. The Afghan people have a deep love for music and true appreciation for their artists. On today’s program, we feature part 1 of a two-part series on the music and life of Mr. Habib Qaderi, one of the most popular Afghan artists in modern day.

Habib Qaderi rise to international fame and success came through his wonderful musical talent and dedication to his craft. With a charismatic stage presence and melodious voice, Habib has won over the hearts of audiences in the Afghan community the world over. From romantic ballads to poetic ghazals, Habib strives to share the beauty and culture of his homeland through lovely songs.

Throughout the years, Habib has had the opportunity to share the stage with respected artists such as Ustad Mawash, Nashnaas, Faiz Qaderi, Laila Ferouhar and many others. Since 1994, Habib Qaderi has produced 8 music albums that have been widely acclaimed. His debut album reached sales in more than six countries.

With the release of the album titled, “Golden Dream”, Habib instantly rose to stardom. The songs on this album became popular hits and were broadcast on television and radio station throughout Afghanistan.

For his singing talent and overall showmanship as an entertainer, Habib Qaderi has earned numerous accolades, including 2003 Best Artist of the Year, 2005 Award for Bestselling Album, and 2008 Best Influential Artist of the Decade by Noor TV. His song, “Praise Allah” was recognized with as the 2008 Best Religious Song of the Year by Noor TV and “Kajak Abro” was honored with the 2008 Best Music Video of the Year Award from Ariana Television.

Tolo TV, the largest television station in Afghanistan, as well as Ariana Television have also presented Habib Qaderi with awards for his efforts as a musician in promoting the Afghan community abroad. He has also been recognized for his humanitarian efforts by the Afghan Student Association for his outstanding service and dedication towards helping children in Afghanistan.

In an interview with Supreme Master Television, Habib Qaderi shares his amazing musical journey and future projects.

Music has been always my passion, my biggest passion since I was a child in Afghanistan, I was twelve years old when I left. When I went to India, I went to music school. I came here, I went to school and at the same, I was attending music school. And then it’s been my passion. I always wanted to write songs about my country, about my people, about Afghan culture and it’s just been going on. Since then it’s been like almost 14 years.

Along with a new generation of musicians, Habib Qaderi is influenced by the art of “Afghanistan’s nightingale,” the legendary singer Ahmad Zahir. He is often referred to as the King of Afghan music and his musical talents inspired and gave hope to his people. This musical icon is regarded as Afghanistan’s national hero.

There was a singer, his name was Ahmad Zahir. One of the reasons that I'm an artist today, or a singer, is because of him. After we lost that man, and then the whole country was in shock. He's a singer that will remain in Afghanistan forever, his voice and his music.

Habib Qaderi’s family consists of his parents, three brothers and two sisters, with Habib being the youngest. As the son of Sultan Aziz Qaderi, a high-ranking government official in Afghanistan, Habib and his family had to leave their beloved homeland when he was young. They moved to India where young Habib’s interest in music developed. Here, he learned the foundation of Eastern music theory and the skills necessary to master the tabla instrument.

So originally you were going to another field but music called you?

Yes, my dad was always like trying to push me towards engineering or become a doctor. That’s a good thing like every father, every parent, they want their children or their kids to go to school, learn something good, positive for the community. But I always thought music is something really important, and music is a big part of the world today.

And how does your father feel about your career choice now?

Finally I invited him to one of my shows in San Francisco, and so he came and he saw my show, a sell-out show, a lot of people, kids are cheering. That was a big, big concert. So the next day I see him, he was a changed person towards me.

He was like, “Wow, I see all these people cheering for you, they like you and they love you.” So since that day he’s been my biggest supporter in music, and he pushed me to go get more classes, take vocal classes, sound engineering and all that stuff. So he’s one of my biggest support right now. He loves my music.

Please keep your dial tuned to Supreme Master Television. Enlightening Entertainment will be right back after these brief messages to continue our show featuring popular Afghan singer, Habib Qaderi.

Oh my pomegranate flower, oh my sweet heart, pomegranate flower, pomegranate flower

Oh my pomegranate flower, oh my sweet heart, pomegranate flower, pomegranate flower

Oh my pomegranate flower, oh my sweet heart, pomegranate flower, pomegranate flower

Oh my pomegranate flower, oh my sweet heart, pomegranate flower, pomegranate flower

Thank you for joining us again for Enlightening Entertainment and our show on award-winning Afghan musician, Habib Qaderi. As a multi-talented artist, Habib is blessed with strong vocals and the gift of playing various instruments. Habib does not impose any restrictions upon his musical capabilities and strives to master both his native as well as Western instruments.

I play the tablas, which is an Indian instrument, but the Afghan people use it all the time.

It's a hand drum.

And I play tabla for almost 10 years. , I went to school in India to learn tabla, I play the harmonium, I play a little, just a little bit of piano, play the keyboards, accordion, drums,

And I would love to learn how to play the guitar.

After living in the United States, Habib realized that he wished to preserve his culture by sharing the love for Afghanistan and her beautiful language to the younger generation. Thus, he embarked on furthering his musical education by majoring in music and studying Western music. At the same time, he gained knowledge about the roots of Afghan-Hindu classical and folkloric music.

So what are some of the elements of Afghan culture that that you want to bring to the world view? What are things about Afghanistan that we don’t know that you try to expose through your music?

The culture, the music, the food, people, the clothing that we wear in Afghanistan and the dialects that we speak in Afghanistan, so I believe there’s almost like 12 dialects in Afghanistan and not too many people know about it.

Dari and Pashto are the main dialects in Afghanistan. We speak Turkmeni, we speak Balochi, we speak Pashai, we speak Uzbeki…

So there’s actually a lot of stuff about Afghanistan that I would like to bring out to people and the world so they can see other side of Afghanistan.

After 25 years living abroad, Habib had the opportunity to revisit his homeland. In reuniting with his ancestral roots and connecting with native musicians, Habib musical vision blossomed.

Do you go back Afghanistan often?

Yes, I just came back from Afghanistan. I went there after like 25 years. It was probably my best trip ever.

I had a great time, I visited my country, my people, and my music is really big in Afghanistan. I didn’t know, so it was a very good thing to know.

Did you perform while you were there?

Oh, yes. I did two concerts, I shot a couple of music videos. I visited villages, I visited orphan houses and I did some charity work.

It just changed everything after I went to Afghanistan and came back. The whole time on the plane I was just thinking about doing more things for that people and for the country, and also it changed my views towards my music after visiting my country.

The love and pride Habib Qaderi has for his homeland is evident through his beautiful songs. To conclude today’s show, please enjoy a song performed by Habib Qaderi.

Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar If the wind blows in that direction If the wind blows in that direction Convey my greetings to beautiful Kabul

Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar Spring has come to the homeland Spring has come to the homeland Slowly it will reach us here

Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar

Kabul is so beautiful, the girl is in love with the city She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar She is tired of the hot weather in Peshawar

Thank you for joining us today for Enlightening Entertainment. Tune in next Friday for part 2 of this two-part series featuring Habib Qaderi. Coming up next is Words of Wisdom, after Noteworthy News, here on Supreme Master Television. May celestial music and divine grace bless your life with beauty and peace.

For more information on Afghan musician Habib Qaderi, please visit