Unveiling Afghanistan

Kazemiya Mohaqeq is a Professor at Kateb University. She holds an MA degree in international relations and is studying for her PhD in the same field. She has written textbooks on women’s issues, political science, and international relations for the Ministry of Education.

Nader Nadery is the Chair of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan and the Director of the AREU. He was studying law and political science at Kabul University during the civil wars and the subsequent seizure of power by the Taliban.

Somaya Ramesh is the director of the Nawandishan Social and Cultural Foundation and an independent candidate in the provincial council’s elections in Herat.

Daoud Naji, a graduate of Persian language and literature from Balkh University, previously taught as an Assistant Professor at his alma mater. With the arrival of the Taliban, he migrated to Pakistan. He is now living and working as a journalist in London.

Sediqa Balkhi has served two-terms as a Senator on the Meshrano Jirga [Senate]. She was elected Chair of the Women’s Affairs Committee in the last Senate and is currently Chair of the Civil Society and Human Rights Committee.

Lieutenant General Sayed Ghulam Hussain Fakhri is the Director-General of the High Office of Anti-Corruption. He joined the Police Academy immediately after graduating from high school and later became a Professor of the Academy.

Fawzia Koofi grew up in a traditional polygamist family with seven wives. Her mother tried to abandon her for being born a girl. Her father was a Member of Parliament for 25 years and was assassinated by the Mujahideen when she was just 4 years old.

Mr Malek Setiz is an international relations adviser to the Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan. He sought refuge in Denmark after the civil wars and has been living there for the past 20 years and working for the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Malika Suraya Afghanyar is a filmmaker. She is studying film directing and writing at the Fine Arts Department of Kabul University.

Awtar Singh Khalsa is the President of the National Committee of Hindus and Sikhs of Afghanistan and the head of Kabul’s Committee for Hindu worship centres. Singh served as the Sikh representative to the Loya Jirga, and was appointed as a senator in 2004.