Armanshahr Publications

there is a place on earth where millions of people have peace. One out of three persons has been displaced and has sought refuge in neighboring countries. Millions of homes have been destroyed. A victim of the Cold war and superpowers…

One of the components of the democratic societies is the establishment of a public domain, where individuals enter an unconditionally free discussion over public interests.

Armanshahr/OPEN ASIA was established during the civil war in Tajikistan 17 years ago. It started up its Publishing Unit in 2003 by publishing its first book “One Thousand and one Poems for Afghanistan”.

Adela Mohseni is a jurist, and activist for human and women’s rights. She migrated to Iran in 1978 with her family, aged just six years old, where she grew up and obtained her BA degree in judicial law from Tabriz University.

Aziz Rafiee was born in Kabul and obtained his Master of Engineering degree from Kabul University. He switched from the technical field to social issues in the 1990s and began working with civil institutions, in particular human rights groups.

Mohammad Ismail Qassemyar is a jurist who formerly headed the Public Security and Public Rights Courts of the Supreme Court and taught constitutional rights at university for seven years.

Massoud Hassanzada is a poet, journalist, musician, and literary critic from Herat. He has co-founded Morcha [the Ants] the first rock band in Afghanistan.

Abdul Hamid Mobarez is a former chief of the official Bakhtar news agency, three-times governor and a founding member of the Federation and Chairman of Afghanistan National Journalists’ Union (ANJU). He was named Deputy Minister of Culture upon his return from exile.

Wahida Samadi is the Director of Tahmina Organisation, promoting women’s rightsand a member of the Provincial Development Governance Committee. She is a committed civil society activist.

Saheb-Nazar Moradi is an urban development specialist and former member of the planning committee of Kabul Municipality. He has a Ph.D. in urban engineering and history. He was internally displaced and ultimately left the country in exile for many years.