article_snippet: I explained that the program was "Afghan Star," Afghanistan's answer to "American Idol."
article_snippet: I started watching "Afghan Star" last year after hearing about contestant Dawood Pazhman from Afghanistan's remote northeastern province of Badakhshan, who traveled 16 hours (sometime on foot) to Kabul to audition for the show.
article_snippet: Afghan Star" is a source of pride, happiness and escape for many Afghans.
article_snippet: When you talk to any Afghan around the world, Afghan know all about the contestants and the judges.
article_snippet: Afghan openly give Afghan opinions and feel that Afghan are a part of the process; anyone around the world can vote via SMS and call-ins.
article_snippet: This grounded attitude is meaningful because each one of the judges is a living legend in Afghanistan -- superstars who also have the judges own war stories to tell.
article_snippet: During the first season, after years of the Taliban's ban on music, a female contestant performed without a hijab, resulting in death threats.
article_snippet: This season, for International Women's Day, the show celebrated Afghan women.
article_snippet: Male contestants dedicated songs and presented flowers to Afghan women, singing of the strength of Afghan mothers.
highlights_snippet: Afghan Star" is Afghanistan's answer to "American Idol"
  