ANKARA (Turkiye): Turkish author, songwriter and composer Turgay Evren has released a new English-language humanitarian song titled "Tell Me Azad Kashmir," describing it as an appeal to the conscience of humanity rather than a political statement.
The song seeks to draw international attention to the lives and suffering of people in Azad Kashmir through music.
Announcing the release, Evren said the work is "not a political song, but purely a humanitarian song dedicated to Azad Kashmir."
He described it as his first English-language composition devoted to the people of Azad Kashmir and urged audiences to view it as a message of peace, compassion and human solidarity.
According to Evren, the song is the latest in a series of nearly 10 musical works he has produced highlighting the hardships faced by Kashmiris. The composer says he believes music can often reach hearts more effectively than speeches or academic discussions, making it a powerful medium for humanitarian advocacy.
The release has drawn appreciation from Kashmiri activists and supporters on social media, who praised the Turkish composer for using his music to amplify humanitarian concerns related to Kashmir. Several users described the song as an expression of solidarity with the people of the region.
Evren has spent more than a decade producing songs on humanitarian, social and international issues. He first gained wider recognition with "Children of Heaven," a song highlighting the suffering of Syrian refugee children. The work was later shared by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during National Sovereignty and Children's Day and at the World Humanitarian Summit, helping introduce Evren's humanitarian music to a broader audience.
Turgay Evren's song, "Tell Me Azad Kashmir", shared on YouTube:
Since beginning his professional music career in 2013, Evren has composed songs on Palestine, Kashmir, Türkiye and other global causes. His better-known works include "We Will Never Betray," released in Arabic and Urdu to express solidarity with Palestine and Kashmir; "Don't Cry Jerusalem"; "Kashmir Is My Name"; "The World Is Bigger Than Five"; "My Beloved Turkey"; and "Permanent Spring." Many of these songs combine humanitarian themes with messages of peace, justice and international solidarity.
Outside humanitarian music, Evren has also produced educational rap songs used in English-language learning projects in several countries, including Türkiye, Egypt, Greece, the United States, Bulgaria, Tunisia and Bangladesh. He has often argued that music can transcend borders and languages to reach audiences who may never engage with political or academic debates.
With "Tell Me Azad Kashmir," Evren adds another chapter to his catalogue of advocacy through music. The song presents itself as a humanitarian appeal, inviting listeners around the world to reflect on the lives, hopes and struggles of the people of Azad Kashmir while reinforcing the composer's long-standing belief that music can give voice to communities whose stories are often overlooked.
Evren says the song is a humanitarian appeal, not a political statement. Its central message is that human suffering transcends borders and political divides. Through the lyrics, he reminds listeners that pain does not stop at the Line of Control, drawing attention to the shared grief experienced by Kashmiris on both sides of the divided region.
The song also serves as a powerful plea against violence. Referring to recent unrest and the loss of civilian lives, it asks poignant questions: "You wanted basic rights for your children. Why can't you breathe? Tell me, what is your crime?" The lyrics focus on the human cost of conflict rather than political narratives.
Evren has repeatedly said he wants the world to see "Tell Me Azad Kashmir" as a reflection of the hopes, hardships and dignity of ordinary people. Rather than taking sides, he says the song gives voice to those whose daily struggles often go unheard.
The composition concludes with a message of hope, calling for an end to violence and suffering so the people of Kashmir can look toward a future of peace, dignity and economic prosperity. Through music, Evren says he hopes to inspire greater compassion and understanding for the humanitarian challenges facing the region.
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