Golden Thread Productions will present the world premiere of a new Afghan-American play titled PILGRIMAGE by Afghan-American playwright Humaira Ghilzai, co-written by Bridgette Dutta Portman and co-produced with Z Space. PILGRIMAGE tells the story of five Afghan and Muslim American women who embark on an Umrah, a minor pilgrimage, to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. As they travel together on a journey of spiritual reawakening, they navigate grief, faith, family conflict, and personal transformation. The play offers an unprecedented representation of Afghan and Muslim women rarely seen on U.S. stages. It presents a nuanced, woman-centered story that explores what it means to be Afghan, Muslim, and American today. The production will be guided and supported by Afghan-American artists, community council members, and community organizational partners who will provide cultural competency, outreach, and engagement.