Pakistan-origin girl becomes instant sensation at Britain’s Got Talent

A 14-year-old British-Pakistani girl, who lost her eyesight at the age of 10, has become a huge hit in one of the world’s biggest talent competitions, Britain’s Got Talent.

Sirine Jahnagir, who is the only Pakistani-origin contestant on the show, is the granddaughter of Sahibzada Jahangir, who currently serves as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s spokesperson on Trade & Investment in UK & Europe. Fauzia Kasuri is Sirin’s aunt and the late pop and nasheed singer Junaid Jamshed was her uncle.

Sirine has become an instant success after outperforming her competition through her wonderful performances and winning approval from judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and David Walliams.

Sirine was born in 2005 in London. Until the age of five, she excelled in everything, including sports, with dancing being her favourite pastime. Her family discovered when Sirine was five years old that she had lost her vision in one eye and, although the other eye was fine, there was a danger it might deteriorate. Over time, Sirine lost vision slowly in her good eye, until the age of 10 when she lost her ability to see completely.

A family friend told Pakistani channel Geo TV that those 5 years were very traumatic for Sirine, as she could not do many things and slowly she learnt Braille and started to read books again. Her family was supportive throughout and helped Sirine, who wanted to make it big in the world.

Her parents had to move to Mill Hill, in North London, when she reached the age of 12, as there were no secondary schools in central London that could cater to her. In her new school, Sirine had access to expertise that helped her learn other skills. It was around this time that she developed an interest in music. She learnt how to play the piano by herself and started writing and singing music.

Sirine’spassion for music took her to Britain’s Got Talent.On Saturday, she will appear in the audition stages of Britain’s Got Talent on ITV. Sahibzada Jahangir was quoted by The News as saying that Sirine would be appearing before the celebrity panel.

“We are all very proud of Sirine. She is hard-working, lovely and passionate. When there is a disability in someone, Allah gifts that person with some other exceptional talent. Sirine’s parents have been exceptional in bringing her up and giving her everything she needed. She does charity work and helps others. She wants to thank Allah for what she has and for the blessings in her life,” said Sahibzada Jahangir.

Kafeel Jahangir, Sirine’s father, told the Pakistani daily that Sirine taught herself how to write, compose, and play music.

“We are all very proud of Sirine. Music is her passion and Britain will give her the right platform to share her music with others. She is very excited. She did the auditions by herself for BGT. One day she told me to come along with her. I went along and was shocked that she was performing before 3,000 people. She taught herself how to play music.”

Kafeel said that during his trips to the UK, the late Junaid Jamshed used to sing with Sirine and teach her about music. Sirine uses music and her story to inspire other people with disabilities. Every Monday she goes to a school and teaches a young 6-year-old boy who has the same condition as her and she teaches him Braille and gives him confidence in seeing the future and believing he can do anything as well.

Sirine is an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and is sharing her talents and skills with others as well as succeeding herself.