By Bridget Johnson, your guide to Journalism

Lima Sahar looks like any other “Idol” hopeful waiting in a hotel meeting room for her chance to show off her vocal cords for a panel of ornery judges. But the songstress, who placed third on the third season of “Afghan Star,” has also become a beacon of hope — and controversy — in Afghanistan. The controversial part is predictable: She comes from Kandahar, where many women still wear the burqa, and clerics have denounced the music competition as un-Islamic. Another point of controversy is much more “Idol”-ish: Critics have said she’s not the best singer, but contend that being ethic Pashtun, the largest ethnic bloc in Afghanistan, kept her afloat (TV watchers text-messaged their votes). The other two finalists are Hameed Sakhizada, of the Shiite Hazara minority, and Rafi Naabzada, who is Tajik. Critics complain that fans are voting along ethnic lines, but isn’t it better to air that ethnic rivalry in a singing competition than in bloodshed on the streets?

Sahar is taking her newfound fame in stride:

“With her hair tucked under a wispy blue headscarf, Lima Sahar brushes off her critics, saying there can be no progress for women without upsetting the status quo.


‘No pain, no gain,’ she told reporters Wednesday in Kabul.


Sahar beat out 2,000 other hopefuls who auditioned for the third season of ‘Afghan Star.’”

Last night I officially became an “Afghan Star” addict, watching the audition reels on YouTube (just search for “Afghan Star,” or the site for Tolo TV) and browsing info about the contestants on www.afghanstar.tv. Afghanistan still has a ways to go, but it’s such a far cry from the days of the Taliban and keeping women shuttered and covered behind closed doors, as well as requiring holy beards on the men. “Afghan Star” captures each audition city as “American Idol” does, along with a charismatic host and a handful of loco contestants. The women — including the female judge, a la Paula Abdul — are often loosely headscarfed, and the men usually in Western dress and clean-shaven. The contestants are mainly young, but a few older hopefuls eagerly grab the mike, as well.

But the best part about watching “Afghan Star” is definitely seeing the smiles. I could spin this into a theory about music being a diversion from harsh reality, etc., but when it boils down to it Afghan singing hopefuls and the Afghan audience — no matter what ethnic background — are just having fun (and, for the winners, taking away recording deals).