A famed Afghan violinist moved to L.A. with nothing. Then a man with a violin called.

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The Taliban bans playing music in Afghanistan, and having an instrument is a crime. Violinist Ali Esmahilzada fled with almost no possessions.

is considered a crime. Esmahilzada, who has been playing the violin since he was 13, felt he had no choice but to flee his home country — and leave his family behind.“I was so scared,” said Esmahilzada, 27, who burned his sheet music when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021. He nearly scorched his violin, too, but he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it. He hid the instrument instead. “They search all the houses in the city, everywhere.

He was living in a small house with four Spanish-speaking roommates who he had trouble communicating with. He worked in the stockroom of a clothing store — which is why he asked Nasser to meet him at the mall. He ate eggs for every meal because it was the only thing he knew how to cook.Nasser — whose parents immigrated to Canada in the early 1970s from Tanzania — empathized with Esmahilzada.

“It was so hard for my parents,” said Nasser, explaining that kind strangers helped them get settled, and likewise, they went on to assist other immigrants. “The more I heard his story and how deeply alone he was, I decided I could be that person for him,” Nasser continued. “I could cosmically repay the people who did that for my parents, by doing it for him.”He invited Esmahilzada over to have dinner with his wife and two small children — which soon became a weekly invitation.

“It clearly meant a lot to him. He both needed it and was grateful for it,” Nasser said. “It seemed like it was a gulp of water to a thirsty guy.”“He just listened to my story,” Esmahilzada said. “He is my brother.”Nasser learned more about Esmahilzada, including that he became a well-known musician in Afghanistan by being a

 

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It's refreshing to read a 'happy ending' article. Thanks & good luck to this Afghan violinist

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