Urooj has helped changing the perception of Pakistan in the United States: Masood Khan
On 77th Independence Day of Pakistan, the most important day in national calendar of Pakistan, Ambassador Masood Khan today decorated GRAMMY award winner Ms. Urooj Aftab with prestigious President’s Pride of Performance award.
Urooj Aftab is the first Pakistani woman to ever win a GRAMMY award.
Ms. Aftab is an internationally recognized Pakistani American vocalist, music composer and producer in the United States. Her music style includes fusion jazz and neo-Sufi. She won GRAMMY award in 2022.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution in promoting Pakistani music tradition in the United States and across the globe, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has conferred on Ms. Urooj Aftab the President’s Pride of performance award,” said the citation read on the occasion.
Lauding her achievement especially in bringing the people of two countries closer to each other with the power of music, Ambassador Masood Khan said that that diplomacy and interstate relations were all about perceptions and Ms. Urooj has helped changing the perceptions of Pakistan.
Pakistanis loves music. There are no restrictions on music,” said the Ambassador.
Thanking the Ambassador and the Government of Pakistan for the award, Ms. Aftab said that it was a good moment to acknowledge that literature, poetry and music has been an integral part of our identity as Pakistanis. Pakistanis, she said, were very romantic people.
Terming the conferment of award upon her as a matter of pride and a source of inspiration for other female artists of the country, she said that it was a bright day for Pakistani female musicians to have received the award.
On the occasion, Ms. Aftab also thanked and paid tribute to legendary female Pakistani singers, from Mukhtar Begum to Abida Parveen. “I don’t think I would be standing here if it wasn’t for them,” she said.
She also thanked her parent for their continued support to her.
Washington D.C, August 14, 2023
