Durana Elmi and other Afghan celebrities will shine at the 2024 Tuti Gala

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Afghan A-listers wowed at the Tuti Gala this weekend, celebrating their culture and heritage at the star-studded event.

The gala, held in San Jose, California, on Saturday, October 19, was a celebration of Afghan culture, art and empowerment, featuring Afghan celebrities from around the world – including singer Aryana Sayeed, filmmaker Samir Rassoly, UFC alumnus Siyar Bahadurzada, among others.

While the stars showed up and showed off, one high-profile attendee stole the show on Saturday night: Durana Elmi, whose company Cymbiotika served as the event’s main sponsor.

Elmi – the COO and co-founder of Cymbiotika, a natural and organic online supplement store – arrived at the gala in an Afghan-inspired dress and a powerful look to match. She wore a gown with intricate traditional patterns that emphasized her cultural roots while merging modern elegance.

Throughout the evening, stars celebrated Afghan creativity and achievement with performances, fashion and art from prominent Afghan figures – including a memorable speech from Elmi, who took to the stage to introduce Sayeed’s performance.

“Art has always been a way to express the heart and soul of a culture,” Elmi told the audience. “Tonight we honor the artists who keep our culture alive, who inspire us with their creativity and courage.”

The wellness guru, who received a standing ovation for her comments, noted: “This is about more than just one night – it’s about uplifting the Afghan community worldwide.”