The Tribute to Ahmad Zahir – The Sunday Brunch A Fundraising Concert for Charity With great pride, Restaurant Helai & The OMID Foundation warmly invite you to a special and exclusive benefit event: ‘The Tribute to Ahmad Zahir’, a heartfelt homage to the legendary Afghan singer, exactly 46 years after his passing, an artist whose voice has echoed through Afghan homes for over five generations. All proceeds from this benefit event will directly support The OMID Foundation’s mission to raise €45,000 for the Indira Gandhi Children’s Institute in Kabul, with the aim of transforming the lives of 1,000 children in Afghanistan’s largest pediatric hospital and contributing to the hospital’s long-term reconstruction and sustainability. On Sunday, June 8th (Pentecost Sunday), we are delighted to welcome you for a unique Sunday Brunch from 11:00 to 16:00, as we come together to celebrate the music, legacy, and magic of this iconic artist. Join us for a vibrant cultural afternoon filled with inspiration, family, and unforgettable memories, while enjoying an elegant 5-course brunch menu (€69.95 p.p., excluding drinks), accompanied by live performances from a variety of 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 live painting exhibition by the talented artist Mr. Ayoubi, who will create a portrait of Ahmad Zahir during the event. This unique artwork will be auctioned off at the end of the afternoon, with all proceeds going toward The OMID Foundation’s mission. About Ahmad Zahir Ahmad Zahir was an iconic, influential, and almost mythical Afghan singer, composer, poet, pianist, harmonium player, and at times, conductor—also widely known as the “Elvis of Afghanistan” due to his charisma and 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 70s, a golden era in which Kabul was celebrated as a cultural melting pot. Ahmad Zahir’s music was unique in its fusion of traditional Afghan styles with Western influences such as rock, jazz, and 60s–70s pop. He blended classical ghazals, folk melodies, Persian poetry, and Western arrangements. Inspired by artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Engelbert Humperdinck, he created a sound entirely his own within the Afghan musical tradition. He recorded an estimated 30+ albums, an impressive feat considering the limited recording infrastructure available in Afghanistan at the time. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he played the piano, harmonium, electric guitar, tabla, and even Western drum kits. Yet it was his deep, soulful voice that made his music timeless. His style was groundbreaking in a conservative society, never afraid to innovate. Ahmad Zahir remains the most beloved and influential figure in the modern musical history of Afghanistan—his significance often compared to Elvis in the West or Fairuz in the Arab world. He was a pivotal force in transitioning Afghan music from traditional to modern pop, symbolizing a new era of artistic expression in an increasingly open Afghanistan. A true bridge-builder, uniting generations, rural and urban audiences, East and West. His music lives on to this day—played at weddings, on radio stations, and in Afghan homes across the world, generation after generation.

The Tribute to Ahmad Zahir – The Sunday Brunch A Fundraising Concert for Charity With great pride, Restaurant Helai & The OMID Foundation warmly invite you to a special and exclusive benefit event: ‘The Tribute to Ahmad Zahir’, a heartfelt homage to the legendary Afghan singer, exactly 46 years after his passing, an artist whose voice has echoed through Afghan homes for over five generations. All proceeds from this benefit event will directly support The OMID Foundation’s mission to raise €45,000 for the Indira Gandhi Children’s Institute in Kabul, with the aim of transforming the lives of 1,000 children in Afghanistan’s largest pediatric hospital and contributing to the hospital’s long-term reconstruction and sustainability. On Sunday, June 8th (Pentecost Sunday), we are delighted to welcome you for a unique Sunday Brunch from 11:00 to 16:00, as we come together to celebrate the music, legacy, and magic of this iconic artist. Join us for a vibrant cultural afternoon filled with inspiration, family, and unforgettable memories, while enjoying an elegant 5-course brunch menu (€69.95 p.p., excluding drinks), accompanied by live performances from a variety of 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 live painting exhibition by the talented artist Mr. Ayoubi, who will create a portrait of Ahmad Zahir during the event. This unique artwork will be auctioned off at the end of the afternoon, with all proceeds going toward The OMID Foundation’s mission. About Ahmad Zahir Ahmad Zahir was an iconic, influential, and almost mythical Afghan singer, composer, poet, pianist, harmonium player, and at times, conductor—also widely known as the “Elvis of Afghanistan” due to his charisma and 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 70s, a golden era in which Kabul was celebrated as a cultural melting pot. Ahmad Zahir’s music was unique in its fusion of traditional Afghan styles with Western influences such as rock, jazz, and 60s–70s pop. He blended classical ghazals, folk melodies, Persian poetry, and Western arrangements. Inspired by artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Engelbert Humperdinck, he created a sound entirely his own within the Afghan musical tradition. He recorded an estimated 30+ albums, an impressive feat considering the limited recording infrastructure available in Afghanistan at the time. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he played the piano, harmonium, electric guitar, tabla, and even Western drum kits. Yet it was his deep, soulful voice that made his music timeless. His style was groundbreaking in a conservative society, never afraid to innovate. Ahmad Zahir remains the most beloved and influential figure in the modern musical history of Afghanistan—his significance often compared to Elvis in the West or Fairuz in the Arab world. He was a pivotal force in transitioning Afghan music from traditional to modern pop, symbolizing a new era of artistic expression in an increasingly open Afghanistan. A true bridge-builder, uniting generations, rural and urban audiences, East and West. His music lives on to this day—played at weddings, on radio stations, and in Afghan homes across the world, generation after generation.