--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a girl, I abandoned a promising…" description: "\"As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to violent harassment by Islamists.\" — Deeyah Khan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg" --- # As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to… ![“As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to violent harassment by Islamists.” quote by Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg) > “As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to violent harassment by Islamists.” [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She left a singing career because of threats from extremist groups. **In simple terms:** Harassment forced her to quit music. Key Takeaway Stand against oppression. Themes courage freedom gender religion Mood serious hopeful Type inspirational activist When to use this quote - career change - activism - public speaking Key Concepts human rights artistic expression extremism Questions to Reflect On - What can protect artists from intimidation? - How does culture impact personal choices? A Different Perspective Risk of silencing voices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Career Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career-violent-5898705/) [Due](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/due/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Harassment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harassment/) [Harassment Islamists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harassment-islamists-5898704/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Singing career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing-career/) [Violent Harassment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent-harassment-5898703/) ## Related quotes > [Shows like 'Glee' and 'American Idol' have been a big boost to the whole idea of young people pursuing a singing career or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/shows-like-glee-and-american-idol-have-been-a-big-boost-to-the-whole/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [The industry has welcomed me with open arms. It is not possible for anyone to make a playback singing career like mine in 7 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jubin-nautiyal/the-industry-has-welcomed-me-with-open-arms-it-is-not-possible-for/) [Jubin Nautiyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jubin-nautiyal/) > [I still have my school friends who are actually friends. It's nice that they don't think much about my singing career. They think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-still-have-my-school-friends-who-are-actually-friends-it-s-nice/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I still sing, because that's my true calling. This basketball thing is only for, what, I think another year or so. And then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-butler/i-still-sing-because-that-s-my-true-calling-this-basketball-thing-is/) [Jimmy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-butler/) > [There are a lot of unseen elements to having a successful singing career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-garrett/there-are-a-lot-of-unseen-elements-to-having-a-successful-singing/) [Lesley Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-garrett/) > [I've picked up a lot of fans from doing 'Ugly Betty': a lot of teenagers who didn't even know I had a singing career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-williams/i-ve-picked-up-a-lot-of-fans-from-doing-ugly-betty-a-lot-of-teenagers/) [Vanessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-williams/) > [I miss my singing career very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-presley/i-miss-my-singing-career-very-much/) [Elvis Presley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-presley/) > [I never thought that I would be able to make singing a career. It's great that my passion is also the source of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-never-thought-that-i-would-be-able-to-make-singing-a-career-it-s/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [I was just trying out and having some fun. I don't think I'd want to pursue singing as a career; it's an on-the-side thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hung/i-was-just-trying-out-and-having-some-fun-i-don-t-think-i-d-want-to/) [William Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hung/) > [I left my record label, Polydor, by mutual agreement, but I'm going to carry on with my singing career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-parks/i-left-my-record-label-polydor-by-mutual-agreement-but-i-m-going-to/) [Alex Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-parks/) > [Sinatra was the biggest influence on my life, my singing career. And rightly so. I mean he was the best singer ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-darren/sinatra-was-the-biggest-influence-on-my-life-my-singing-career-and/) [James Darren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-darren/) > [Nobody thought I could do anything with a singing career... except my singing teachers, who were accustomed to hearing voices that could be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/nobody-thought-i-could-do-anything-with-a-singing-career-except-my/) [Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/) > [I'm not using Comic Relief to launch my own singing career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-brooker/i-m-not-using-comic-relief-to-launch-my-own-singing-career/) [Alex Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-brooker/) > [I started my acting career at around when I was getting stressed from my singing career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seo-in-guk/i-started-my-acting-career-at-around-when-i-was-getting-stressed-from/) [Seo In-guk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seo-in-guk/) > [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) ## More by Deeyah Khan > [There is no psychiatric pattern which can predict who becomes an extremist - but they are all frustrated with their reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/there-is-no-psychiatric-pattern-which-can-predict-who-becomes-an/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [The state has a duty to protect all its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/the-state-has-a-duty-to-protect-all-its-citizens/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [We need to be able to guarantee the safety of all artists and activists for human rights so that it no longer takes extraordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-need-to-be-able-to-guarantee-the-safety-of-all-artists-and/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > ['Honour'-based violence is a form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a broad category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/honour-based-violence-is-a-form-of-domestic-violence-domestic/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Self-expression should not be a challenge that demands extraordinary talent but should be a right accessible to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/self-expression-should-not-be-a-challenge-that-demands-extraordinary/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [The problem with Muslim women is less that we cannot speak the language, but that no one listens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/the-problem-with-muslim-women-is-less-that-we-cannot-speak-the/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Freedom of expression is essential for feminists and dissidents in the Muslim world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/freedom-of-expression-is-essential-for-feminists-and-dissidents-in/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [We need more courageous individuals who will defy the structures of power, whether political, economic, or intimate, but we also need it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-need-more-courageous-individuals-who-will-defy-the-structures-of/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Our media provides a continuing message that for men, heroism is defined through association with control, independence, and the ability to commit violence, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/our-media-provides-a-continuing-message-that-for-men-heroism-is/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Muslim women can save the world from ISIS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/muslim-women-can-save-the-world-from-isis/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Like Theresa May, I regularly find myself infuriated by the rantings of Anjem Choudary and other hate preachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/like-theresa-may-i-regularly-find-myself-infuriated-by-the-rantings/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Women's empowerment, whether through legal, financial, or cultural routes, will tend to increase their agency and their ability to take part in activism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/women-s-empowerment-whether-through-legal-financial-or-cultural/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Left to the mercies of their communities, Muslim women and children remain in abusive households and face losing their financial security over issues like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/left-to-the-mercies-of-their-communities-muslim-women-and-children/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [Women with education, skills, and independent sources of income are more able to withstand the pressures of the patriarchal family and more able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/women-with-education-skills-and-independent-sources-of-income-are/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [We cannot leave vulnerable young men open to the exploitation of extremists, both for our own security and their own wellbeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/we-cannot-leave-vulnerable-young-men-open-to-the-exploitation-of/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) [Explore all 63 Deeyah Khan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) ## More Career quotes > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) [Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/) > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/) [Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/) > [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/) [Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/) > [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/) [Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. 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Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/) [Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/) [Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to violent harassment by Islamists.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Deeyah Khan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singing-career-due-to-violent/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Career" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singing-career-due-to-violent/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/deeyah-khan-10838_career_as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singin_1568529.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a girl, I abandoned a promising singing career due to violent harassment by Islamists.” — Deeyah Khan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Deeyah Khan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As a girl, I abandoned a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singing-career-due-to-violent/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/as-a-girl-i-abandoned-a-promising-singing-career-due-to-violent/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```