Bamiyan Buddhas
Photo of the Bamiyan Buddhas taken by RD in April 2019. RD traveled all over Afghanistan to document the beauty and history of the country. Having lived in Iran as a refugee and going back to study for her Master's degree there made her realize how little people know about Afghanistan.
A Haft Seen
Photo of a haft seen that RD set up at her apartment in Kabul. This was the last time that she celebrated Nowruz in Kabul in March 2021. RD talks about leaving behind family, friends, traditions and everything that was dear to her. She misses that community that she had worked hard to build. Moving forward she will have to build a new life in the U.S. and create new traditions.
A City Street in Kabul, Afghanistan
Photograph of a city street in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2018. Freaba Morrad's father visited Afghanistan in 2018. You can see people going about their lives. Freaba talks about Afghans immigrating only due to war and poverty. If Afghanistan was peaceful, as shown in this picture, no one would leave.
Mountain Range in Faryab, Afghanistan
The mountain range where Freaba Morrad's family currently lives in Faryab, Afghanistan. This picture showcases the serenity and natural beauty of Freaba's ancestral town in Afghanistan. Freaba talks about the deep connection that she feels to Afghanistan in general but to Faryab in particular and the natural landscape is one of the reasons for that connection.
Photo of a Vest that Fatima Created For a Pro-Refugee Protest
Photo of a vest that Fatima created for a pro-refugee protest in Washington, D.C. in 2016. Fatima has experienced the hardship of being a refugee in a country where she was made to feel like an outsider from a young age. She had to flee Afghanistan again due to safety concerns and understands that seeking refuge in a new place comes from a desperate situation.
Fatima As A Baby
Photograph of Fatima crawling as a baby in Iran circa 1986. Fatima talks about her childhood in Iran where most of her happy memories are from being with family and friends. She was othered in many spaces but having a supportive family made the struggle more bearable.
Fareschta's Daughter
Freschta discusses her constant struggle against societal gender norms and expectations during her interview. She wants her daughters to grow up in a loving environment and claim their space as independent women. She wants them to create their own definition for their identities as biracial women. She wants them to be proud of their Afghan, Colombian, and American identities.
Sakhi Holy Shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan
Photo of the Sakhi Holy Shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan taken by RD in August 2021 a few days before the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. RD talks about highlighting the beauty of structures that exist within Afghanistan.
Sahar's Life in Afghanistan
In this slideshow, you will see:
A presentation that Sahar partook in called '16 Days of Activism' where they advocated for gender equality and against gender-based violence in 2020. Sahar says that the popular narrative about Afghan women is that they need saving, however, many Afghan women are fighting for equality in every aspect.
Fatima Sitting on a Hill in Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Photograph of Fatima sitting on a hill in Bamiyan, Afghanistan across the Bamiyan Buddhas where she was making a documentary about doula's in Afghanistan. Fatima talks about the memories of beautiful places in Afghanistan including the Bamiyan Buddhas. These statues hold a significant importance to Afghan people in general but Hazaras in particular.