Jawad says his mother cannot sing at all, but that she encourages his ambitions.
"There is no problem in Kabul with 'Afghan Star,' " he said, his shoulder-length hair shaking vigorously. "Everybody watches. There may be some problems in the provinces. But the majority of people are proud of it."
"People need music, and 90% of Afghans like the show," echoed Nazir Khara, one of the three judges, who spent the Taliban years working in the Dutch music industry.
"Our show is encouraging young people to go into music," said Khara, an ebullient if aging rocker in a leather jacket. "It's a symbol of the new Afghanistan."
The passion is obvious. Tensions grow as the names are called of contestants who have survived the viewer voting by phone or text message to reach the next round. They almost bounce off stage with relief.
Finally, only Asan Mistan is left. His journey is over. The judges all profess surprise that the voters ejected him, and encourage him to keep working hard. The host offers him the chance to say some final words, and Mistan thanks all those who have voted for him.
"In the future I will sing," he promises them. "Beautiful songs."
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bruce.wallace@latimes.com
