A Letter to My Afghanistan

Three years on from the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a survivor of torture shares a message to her country.

"I write to you from miles away, three years after being displaced to the UK, like millions of other Afghans who have been forced to leave our beloved homeland. As we approach August 19th, a day that once filled our hearts with pride as we celebrated Afghanistan's independence, it seems impossible now to express our happiness and joy because of how much the situation has changed.

August 15th, a day that now looms large in our memories, marked a heartbreaking turning point for our nation. The Taliban’s return to power brought a sudden end to the progress we had fought so hard to achieve over the past two decades. In the blink of an eye, the hopes and dreams of millions were thrown, as Afghanistan was pushed back into the darkness.

As we mark this anniversary, let us not only mourn what has been lost but also commit ourselves to keeping alive the hope for a brighter future. Let us continue to stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for their rights and let us work together to ensure that Afghanistan’s story does not end here.

The road ahead is uncertain, but the resilience and courage that define our nation have not diminished. We must carry these qualities with us, wherever we are in the world, and continue to advocate for a free and just Afghanistan.

With hope and solidarity!"

Image credit: Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images