Local Communities Act to Stop Violence Against Women

Playback singer from India, Sunidhi Chauhan, singing
at the Comcast Arena on Sunday evening.

Comcast Arena came alive with songs, music and dancing on Sunday evening, as rising Pakistani singer Sunidhi Chauhan and Ali Zafar, a rising Bollywood celebrity, took to the stage and delivered a rocking performance in front of an electrifying crowd in Everett, Washington.

The concert was jointly organized by Krazy2Seattle and API Chaya, groups based in Washington, to create awareness on violence against women – a deeply rooted social issue that needs action, needs voices and needs support from local communities.


API Chaya’s Program Manager, Sarah Rizvi, said that her organization is made up of advocates who work directly with women and families that have experienced abuse, and also organizers who work in our communities in order to educate and organize them to support survivors and end violence.

“We provide direct advocacy and supportive services to survivors in crisis and raise awareness of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking in the Asian, South Asian & Pacific Islander communities in Washington state,” said Rizvi.

More than 3000 tickets were expected to be sold out for the event.

“Krazy2Seattle hoped to raise $100,000 for API Chaya to address the issue of violence against women,”  Rizvi said.
At the concert, people were singing, dancing, chanting slogans and building connections within local communities, representing the entire Washington State.

Audience members singing and dancing along with the music. 

“I reckon this a great opportunity for people from diverse communities to help serve this noble cause.” said an audience member who had traveled from Kent.

“There are many working groups which engage local communities in issues relative to social injustice, however, I am observing growing younger people participating in this event to make a difference in their respective communities,” she said.

Besides local participation, people from international communities were also spotted having fun in and out of the concert hall.

Nedhal Ahmed, for example, hailing from Yemen, said, “I have come here to chip in my share to help stop any kind of crime against women.”

A friend of mine told me about this concert. I decided to join him right away, said Naseer from Sana’a. “Some women are denied their fundamental rights. I am here to support suffering women.”

The concert took a flying start with the songs from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other South-Asian countries. Rakesh Mainai, the runner up in Indian Idol season 5, also played his part in concert.

“I am happy to perform for a social cause. I have sisters, mother, and family like everyone does. I therefore would do whatever it takes to hand women justice and basic rights,” he said.

Susheel, who hails from Fiji Islands, and lives in Everett, said, “Words cannot express my feelings. Although I have come to enjoy; whilst my ticket money would go a long way because it is a step towards eradiation of violence against women.”

Performer Ali Zafar from Pakistan on stage at the Comcast Arena. 

Two leading performing artists Ali Zafar and Sunidhi Chauhan were the key attractions to the concert. Ali Zafar started his career as a singer in Pakistan and later travelled to India. In a very short span of career, he has thrown five hit Bollywood movies including a famous satire ‘Teray Bin-Laden’ translated ‘Without You Laden’ – the one which brought much criticism from critiques.

Sunidhi Chauhan is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She has recorded songs for Oriya, Punjabi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati and Nepali films (Indian regional languages).

To get assistance against domestic violence, dial following helpline numbers:


Helpline No: (206) 325-0325


Toll Free No: (877) 922 4292


Office: (206) 467 9976


Story by Adnan Ali