With great pride, The OMID Foundation and Restaurant Helai warmly invite you to a special and exclusive charity event: The Tribute to Ahmad Zahir.
The Tribute To is an exclusive concept within The OMID Foundation, through which we organize unique events as a tribute to Afghan artists who have made an irreplaceable contribution to the rich musical history of Afghanistan. With this concept, we bring together culture, connection, and social impact, using music as a powerful force for lasting change.
For the second year in a row, we are proudly organizing The Tribute To Ahmad Zahir, a special homage to ”The King of Afghan Pop,” the legendary Ahmad Zahir. An artist whose voice, even 47 years after his passing, still echoes daily in the living rooms of Afghan households around the world. His music continues to live on across generations and remains a timeless symbol of Afghanistan’s cultural identity.
All proceeds from this exclusive charity event will go directly toward the OMID Foundation’s healthcare projects in Afghanistan, including the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, as well as our economic welfare projects, through which we work to create a better future for the Afghan people and contribute to the long-term reconstruction and sustainability of Afghanistan.
On Sunday, June 14th, we are delighted to welcome you for a unique Sunday Brunch, from 12:00pm until 16:00pm, where we come together to celebrate the music, legacy and magic of this iconic artist.
Expert an inspiring and cultural afternoon filled with connection, family, and unforgettable memories, while enjoying an elegant 4-course Brunch menu (€89,95 p.p. excluding drinks), accompanied by live performances from various musical artists and a live band who will bring the essence and soul of Ahmad Zahir’s musical legacy to life.
In addition, there will be a special live painting exhibition by a talented artist, who will create an exclusive portrait of Ahmad Zahir during the event. This unique artwork will be auctioned at the end of the afternoon, with all proceeds going toward the mission of The OMID Foundation.
An afternoon where music, culture, and impact come together, and where, together, we build hope, remembrance, and a better future for Afghanistan.
Ahmad Zahir was an iconic, influential, and almost mythical Afghan singer, composer, poet, pianist, harmonium player, and at times, conductor. He became widely known as the “Elvis of Afghanistan” because of his charisma and his lasting impact on Afghan music history.
Born on June 14, 1946, and tragically passing away on his 33rd birthday in 1979, he left behind a timeless repertoire deeply rooted in Afghanistan’s cultural identity. His career flourished during the 1960s and 1970s — a golden era in which Kabul was celebrated as a vibrant cultural melting pot.
His music was unique for its fusion of traditional Afghan styles with Western influences such as rock, jazz, and 60s–70s pop music. He blended classical ghazals, folk melodies, Persian poetry, and Western arrangements into a sound that was entirely his own.
Inspired by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Engelbert Humperdinck, he created a unique musical style within the Afghan tradition.
He recorded an estimated 30+ albums — an impressive achievement considering the limited recording infrastructure available in Afghanistan at the time. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, he played the piano, harmonium, electric guitar, tabla, and even Western drum kits. Yet it was above all his deep, soulful voice that made his music timeless.
His innovative style was groundbreaking in a conservative society, and he was never afraid to experiment. Ahmad Zahir is still regarded as the most beloved and influential figure in the modern musical history of Afghanistan — often compared to Elvis in the West or Fairuz in the Arab world.
He played a key role in the transition of Afghan music from traditional sounds to modern pop and symbolized a new era of artistic expression in an increasingly open Afghanistan.
A true bridge-builder, he connected generations, rural and urban communities, and East and West.
His music continues to live on to this day — heard at weddings, on radio stations, and in Afghan homes across the world, generation after generation.
Doors open: 11:00 am
Show starts: 12:00 pm
Show ends: 16:00 pm
Timetable: T.B.A.
(A-Z)
Abdullah Suliman
Ahmad Parwiz
Ahmad Walid Etemadi
Nasir Rukh
Saghar & Siar
Sediq Yakub
Rubab: Ustad Hamayoun Zafar
Drums: Abdullah Etemadi
Saxophone: Kazem Azami
Guitar: Samim Zafar
Tabla: Siar Mahbubi
