This is a campaign to resettle 15 young Afghan Women from Miraculous Love Kids (MLK) and immediate families and another family of 5 musicians and artists to Northern Ireland.
The Miraculous Love Kids/Girl With a Guitar is a non profit formed in 2016 by Musician Lanny Cordola and from feb 2016 until the Taliban takeover august 15 2021 was based in Kabul where Cordola taught the guitar to war torn/poverty stricken girls-last year he was able to evacuate the core group to Pakistan where they are now as he works to relocate them to a place where they can have a better future become citizens and contribute to the betterment of their new home. They have had the great fortune to collaborate with many renowned artists like Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, members of The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, Foo Fighters, Sammy Hagar (Van Halen). Currently they are preparing their next release with Blake Shelton along with members of The Eagles and Guns 'N' Roses as they await news about their home.
Since the fall of Afghanistan in August 2021 and evacuations as American and British troops were leaving, very few Afghan’s have managed to find safe routes to the UK and other countries. Government promises were not fulfilled and Afghanistan has been moved far down Governments Agenda. Afghan people feel forgotten and abandoned.
Northern Ireland has a strong link with Afghanistan through shared creative projects and relationships.
Our small land mass, creative and community infrastructure make Northern Ireland the best place to resettle a large music group. Belfast also gained UNESCO Music City Status in 2021. For MLK and music industry professionals who are supporting and collaborating with MLK to be resettled connected with Belfast would be of great cultural capital significance to our music & arts sector.
This would also be a defining moment for Belfast with the UNESCO Music City status - actively helping musicians from a country where music is forbidden and young girls are denied access to education.
In December 2022 Alghochak (Afghan Association Northern Ireland) was established and along with other individuals, community sponsorship groups, organisations, universities, and businesses Northern Ireland offers much collaborative support for Afghan musicians and artists.
We are calling on the UK Home Office and Northern Ireland Executive to take measures to safely bring MLK and families to Northern Ireland to be included in Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).
All Northern Ireland MPs will be recieving a copy of this letter with our ask for their support.
This is a collaboration campaign between International Campaign For Afghan Musicians (ICFAM), Alghochak, Beyond Skin and Miraculous Love Kids Guardians and Collaborators within the Music Industry.
Northern Ireland Campaign lead is Darren Ferguson net.darren@gmail.com
