Twenty-year-old Adeeba Qayumi, like the rest of the world, watched with horror when her home country of Afghanistan fell into chaos on August 15. The Taliban captured the capital city of Kabul within hours of the fall of the government and the retreat of American troops.
What followed was a sickening scene of citizens at the airport, flying to safety – somewhere, somewhere – far, far away from the place they once called home. While some were successful, others were not.
Qayoumi saw the news from his temporary residence in India – New Delhi to be exact. Two days later, he found himself in the Embassy of Afghanistan, looking to gather more information about what was happening in his country.
“Some people out there suggested that I do something about it and start an online petition,” she said.
By August 17, his petition was ready; He asked the governments of the world to help “immediately provide asylum to Afghan women and children” who are fleeing the Taliban. It got an overwhelming response on Change.org. “Every human has some rights. My family and I have always raised our voice [against injustice], and stood with the people. So I feel strongly about it,” she said.
When indianexpress.com Having met him on a sultry August afternoon, Kayumi carried himself with a certain confidence. In the 20 years she’s been on this planet, she’s seen death and destruction up close, but it didn’t matter to her. In any case, it has strengthened his will to fight the good fight.
Adeeba’s mother was threatened by the Taliban because she was a civil rights activist in the country. (Photo Credits: Adeeba Kayumi)
Her petition states that the Taliban killed her cousin Farishta in September 2020. “His crime was that he spoke for the right to education and other freedoms.”
Kayumi’s mother was also threatened. “Growing up, the Taliban had a lot of influence in my life. I was the top student in my school and university. My mother was a civil rights activist, and I was also active in Afghanistan. But we had to leave because of the way the Taliban started treating us.”
Her mother, who works on gender issues in the country, was given letters and threats of warnings. “The letter said that he should leave the country with his children, or else he would be killed; His children too. My mother was not afraid of her life, she was afraid of our life.
The family dropped everything and applied for a visa to India. They arrived in New Delhi in December 2019 to “continue” [their] life”, and are currently registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as asylum seekers awaiting refugee status. Through a process of multiple interviews, an asylum seeker may be given a home or No India.
Kayumi knows that; She also knows that India has its share of problems. “It’s overpopulated. We don’t even have a valid identity, which will help us with jobs. She is applying for asylum in other countries as well,” she said with a smile.
Adeeba says her family has reached India safely, but one of her sisters is stuck in Afghanistan. Pictured here are his three brothers and his father. (Photo Credits: Adeeba Kayumi)
Kayumi works at a clinic near her home, and has a large family and several siblings. “I have three sisters, two brothers.” While his immediate family is here with him, a sister and brother-in-law are stuck in Afghanistan. “We are concerned about them,” she said, adding that although she has no regrets for never coming back to her country, she feels “sad” about the situation there.
“I am dismayed at how my country is suffering; that he is going through this crisis. How bad it is to see that you are landless, your country is without government, [being run by] A handful of people who are like animals.”
Qayoumi has spent many restless nights thinking about the people she had seen on TV, trying her best to escape the Taliban, tying herself to a plane. She got upset while talking about this. “I felt bad, so bad. I can’t explain.”
However, she encouraged Afghans, mainly women, to “remain strong and never give up”. [the pressures of] Taliban”.
She wants to inspire the public to raise their voices, because while one person’s call may go unanswered, multiple screams can force powerful people to take notice.
“Don’t accept the Taliban government,” Qayumi urged India and other countries. He requested them to at least give asylum women and children.
Asked if he had a message for the Taliban, Qayumi leaned forward: “I hate it”. [them] To all. [They] are weak, and [they] will never win. together we will raise our voice [against them]. [They] should never think [they] Will be accepted by governments… I’m sure [they] Will lose this power.”
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