A U.S. official is taking a novel approach to diplomacy in Pakistan — singing in a local language to build bridges.
Shayla Cram, a public diplomacy officer assigned to Peshawar, the gateway to Al-Qaeda and Taliban strongholds in the northwestern tribal belt, has not only learnt Pashto but has penned her own Pashto-style song.
"Jenaiy", which means "girl", is a tribute to Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who was shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting education for girls.
It features Cram on guitar and vocals and a Pakistani musician on the rabab — a traditional stringed instrument — and urges girls to have hope for the future and pursue their dreams.
Despite the anti-American feeling, Cram says the song has had a good response so far. She now plans to work with local musicians to record a whole album in other Pakistani languages.AFP
