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Afghan women's rights advocate
Homeira Qaderi is an Afghan woman writer, academic, professor of Persian literature and activist, known for her work on behalf of women's rights and for her literature that addresses the complexities of life in Afghanistan. She was born in Kabul, in 1980, during the Russian occupation, to an artist mother and a high school teacher father. She has played a significant role in contemporary Afghan literature, drawing from her own experiences to shed light on the challenges faced by women in her country.
Born during the years of Soviet occupation and growing up during the Taliban regime, she homeschooled refugee girls and boys when school attendance was prohibited. She later studied literature in Iran and earned a doctorate in Persian Language and Literature in India. A women's rights activist, she was a senior advisor to several Afghan ministries and was awarded the Malalai Medal for exceptional bravery.
Before leaving Afghanistan, she taught at Gharjistan University in Kabul and worked as a senior advisor to the minister of labor and later the minister of education for social affairs, martyrs and the disabled.
Qaderi is writing a novel, inspired largely by her own experiences, with the working title TELL ME EVERYTHING. The book tells the story of a girl from the suburbs of Kabul who is kidnapped during the Soviet-Afghan war and taken to Saint Petersburg. After the fall of the Soviet Union, she returns to her hometown, which is under the rule of the Taliban. The novel follows her experiences living under Taliban rule and during the American invasion and her eventual immigration to Smyrna, Delaware, United States. As she recovers, she reflects nostalgically on her forced nomadism
“(...) Traveling has always been a challenge for me. It is very different if a person decided to live abroad for a few years as a writer, to observe the culture of that country up close. This journey happens with a calm and engaged mind. For us, most travel has been painful because travel often takes the form of migration and is usually the result of war. For this reason, in every migration and in every foreign geography, we first try to find our own place in the culture of the host country. And for each immigrant this takes some time. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
Childhood and education
During her early childhood she had to protect herself from stray bullets from the invading Soviet army and then from the civil war that followed the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. After the Taliban took control of the country, teenage girls were banned from attending school . At thirteen, she secretly organized basic literacy classes for the girls in her neighborhood.
She later taught children in a refugee camp for four years. She organized the Golden Needle Sewing Class, an underground circle where she and other girls pursued their studies focusing on literary writing skills. Around this time, she published a short story, which was strongly rebuked by the Taliban.
In 2001, Homeira went to Iran to continue her interrupted education. In 2005, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Persian Literature from Shaheed Beheshti University and, in 2007, a Master's degree in Literature from Allame Tabatabai University, both in Tehran. She was a doctoral student at the University of Tehran when the 2008 Iranian uprisings occurred.
She participated in political rallies protesting the Iranian government's suppression of basic human rights. As a foreigner, she was banned from participating in anti-government protests and later expelled from Iran without completing her doctorate.
In 2014, she received a Ph.D. in Persian Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. Her doctoral dissertation was titled REFLECTIONS OF WAR AND EMIGRATION IN STORIES AND NOVELS FROM AFGHANISTAN. In 2015, she completed the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the USA.
Brief history of Afghanistan
FIRST PEOPLES AND EMPIRES – the territory of present-day Afghanistan was inhabited by several ancient civilizations, including the Persians, Greeks, and Indians. It was part of the Achaemenid Empire and later conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.
REGIONAL EMPIRES – after Alexander's death, the region was controlled by Hellenistic successors and later by the Kushan and Sasanian empires.
INTRODUCTION OF ISLAM – in the seventh century, Islam was brought by the Arabs, transforming the religious and cultural landscape of the region. It was later ruled by the Ghaznavida and Gurida empires.
MUGHAL EMPIRE – between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Mughal Empires of India, and the Safavid Empire of Persia disputed Afghanistan. The Mughals are a people whose empire dominated the entire region of the Indian Subcontinent. The founder, Babur, was a Muslim emperor, descended from Genghis Khan on his mother's side.
The Mongols are a people who belong to the Great Empire founded by Genghis Khan, the largest land empire stretching from Siberia to Vietnam, and from Ukraine to the Pacific. Mongolian refers to an ethnic group and historical civilization that emerged in the Mongolian region. They were nomadic warriors who conquered vast areas of Asia during the 13th century. They are recognized for their military skill, political organization, and cultural influence. Although they are related, the two empires did not exist simultaneously. Babur is the great-great-grandson of the Great Khan and the Mughal Empire emerged almost 150 years after the end of the Mughal Empire.
SAFAVID EMPIRE – while the Ottomans were preoccupied with the western front of their empire, on the eastern side, Shah Ismail, who came to power in 1501, founded a Persian dynasty called the Safavids. The Safavids established a powerful one that flourished for more than two centuries and became known for its flourishing arts. In 1598, Abbas moved the Safavid capital to Isfahan, which was in central Persia and less vulnerable to attack. The city, which had been the Seljuk capital a few centuries earlier, was beautified by Abbas with the most exquisite Persian architecture, including the Royal Palace, Ali Qapu, and the Royal Mosque, Masjid-i Shah. During his reign, Isfahan was one of the largest cities in the world.
“(...) Foreign invasions, civil conflicts and political turmoil forced me to leave my country. I ended up living in several foreign countries, including Iran, India, and the United States. I felt more comfortable in Iran because I was able to find common cultural traits with Iranians. Iran had a significant impact on my study of literature. Maybe because I get lost on the streets less often than in other countries. Maybe because of the similarity between our two cultures. In addition to attending classes at the university, I also attended fiction writing classes and learned about the histories of the culture. We Afghans share a rich classical literary tradition with the Persians, but their writing of modern fiction became a new adventure for me. I like Iranian writers. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
FOUNDING OF THE MODERN AFGHAN STATE (1747) – Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Durrani Empire, is often considered the father of modern Afghanistan. He unified several tribes and expanded Afghan territory.
THE GREAT GAME – in the 19th century, Afghanistan became a field of contention between the British Empire and the Russian Empire, known as THE GREAT GAME. The British invaded Afghanistan twice (1839-1842 and 1878-1880) but faced stiff resistance.
INDEPENDENCE (1919) – following the Third Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan gained full independence from British control under King Amanullah Khan.
MODERNIZATION AND INSTABILITY – Amanullah Khan's attempts at modernization provoked conservative resistance, leading to his abdication in 1929. The country experienced a period of instability until the accession of King Zahir Shah in 1933, who ruled until he was deposed in 1973.
REPUBLIC AND COUP D'ETAT (1973-1978) – Daoud Khan abolished the monarchy and established a republic in 1973 but was deposed and murdered in a communist coup d'état in 1978.
SOVIET INVASION (1979-1989) – in 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the communist government, starting a conflict that lasted a decade. Mujahideen resistance, supported by the United States and other countries, led to the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. Mujahideen or mujahidin is the plural form of mujahid, which translates from Arabic as "combatant" or "someone who engages in the fight", although the term is often translated as "holy warrior". The war left the country in ruins and deeply divided, leading to fierce resistance from the mujahideen, who eventually forced the Soviet withdrawal.
RISE OF THE TALIBAN AND POST-WAR REGIME (1990-2001) – following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into a brutal civil war, during which the Taliban, gained control over much of the country and imposed a regime repressive, especially for women, and sheltered terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda.
AFGHAN CIVIL WAR (1992-1996)- following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into a civil war between various mujahideen factions. The struggle for power resulted in enormous destruction and suffering for the civilian population.
TALIBAN REGIME (1996-2001) – The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996 and imposed an extremely repressive regime. Under Taliban rule, women were severely restricted, banned from working, studying, and participating in public life. Qaderi lived under this regime, and her experiences during this period profoundly influenced her writing and activism.
WAR IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER 9/11 AND FALL OF THE TALIBAN (2001) – after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to combat Al-Qaeda and overthrow the Taliban who were ousted from power and a supported government by the United States was established. This period brought an opening for improvements in women's rights and development, although the country continued to face insurgency and instability.
RECONSTRUCTION AND FRAGILE DEMOCRACY (2001-2021) – in the years following the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan experienced reconstruction efforts and the attempt to establish a democracy. However, persistent violence and corruption have hampered progress. During this time, Qaderi engaged in several educational and women's rights initiatives.
RECONSTRUCTION AND FRAGILE DEMOCRACY (2001-2021) – In 2021, the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, quickly leading to the collapse of the Afghan government and the return of the Taliban to power. This has raised fears of a return to previous repressive policies, especially regarding the rights of women and girls.
Did Homeida Qaderi suffer reprisals from the Taliban?
There is no information available to indicate that Homeira Qaderi suffered direct reprisals from the Taliban. However, given the context of oppression and violence faced by women under the Taliban regime in the past, it is possible that she may have experienced threats or faced difficulties because of her defense of women's rights and her opposition to the regime.
Many Afghan women who have challenged Taliban policies have faced retaliation, intimidation, and violence, including death threats, arrest, and physical assault. Qaderi, as a prominent defender of women's rights and a critical voice of the Taliban regime, could have been the target of such threats or hostilities. However, without specific information about her personal situation, it is difficult to determine whether she suffered direct reprisals from the Taliban. Her work and activism continue to be a source of inspiration and courage for many, both inside and outside Afghanistan.
Homeira's personal and professional experiences during these tumultuous times were shaped by these challenging circumstances. Her writing reflects the impact of these events, addressing themes of resistance, sacrifice, and the fight for individual freedoms in an often-hostile environment. Her life and work are testament to the resilience and courage required to fight for human rights in a context of ongoing oppression and conflict.
Homeira Qaderi's literary career
During her stay in Iran, Qaderi was director of the Afghan Arts and Culture Association in Iran, a position she held until 2008. Upon her return to Afghanistan, she began teaching as an assistant professor at Kabul University. Due to the demand for her literary skills and professional experience in Persian literature, she also taught at Mash'al University and Gharjistan University in Kabul. At the same time, she actively participated in civil rights movements centered on gender equality in Afghanistan.
“(...) Difficult days were ahead, but focusing on preparing what would be Dancing in the Mosque helped me calm down and, eventually, I met some editors. I am telling this story to explain that it is not easy to find your way around foreign cultures. Meeting and living with writers from another country is not easy. It takes time to get to know the culture of the people and find your way to their literature. At that time, I was preoccupied with writing the Persian manuscript of my memoirs, which I wanted to publish in English. I had translators and it took me longer to feel comfortable with the English language. Maybe I was still suffering from the shock of being separated from my son and was not emotionally prepared to venture into something new, like improving my English. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
In 2011, Qaderi became an advisor to the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs' Affairs, and the Disabled in Afghanistan. She focused her efforts on improving the living conditions of widows and orphans and established training programs for their self-sufficiency. In 2018, she also served as editor-in-chief of Rah-e Madanyat Daily.
In 2019, she was appointed Senior Advisor to the Minister of Education and remained in that role until spring 2021. She is currently editor-in-chief of Ravi-e Zan and is the founder of the Golden Needle Literary Association, where she teaches young women writers.
After the fall of Kabul in 2021, she left Afghanistan and moved to the United States, where she became a Robert G. James Scholar Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Research, Harvard University, writing about the experiences of young women under Taliban rule.
In the aftermath of the fall of Kabul, she spoke publicly about the dire situation in her country and the urgent need for the international community to support Afghan refugees and express concerns about the rights of women and young girls. She continues to be an advocate for human rights, women's rights, and peace in Afghanistan.
Works by woman writer Homeida Qaderi
Homeira Qaderi has published numerous articles, essays, short stories, and novels in both Persian and English. Her works have been translated into several languages. In 2003, three of her stories, including ZAIR-E GONBAD-E KABOOD, were published in Herat, Afghanistan, making her the only Afghan writer published in Afghanistan that year. She also received the Sadegh Hedayat Award in Iran for her short story titled BAZ BAARAN AGAR MIBARID (If It Will Rain Again), making her the first Afghan national to receive such a prestigious award in Iran.
Her memoir, DANCING IN THE MOSQUE: AN AFGHAN MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER SON, was published by Harper Collins in 2020 and 2021 and has been translated into several languages, including French, Italian, and Finnish. The book, written as a letter to her son, candidly discusses the challenges she faced growing up in Afghanistan and the difficult decision she had to make regarding divorce.
The book received critical acclaim and was named a NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK of 2020. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction and chosen by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best nonfiction books of 2020.
Some of her other published works include GOSHWARA-E ANIS (2005) and well-known novels such as IGLEMA (2014), NAQSH-E SHEKAR-E AHO (2012), and her acclaimed novel NOQRA: THE DAUGHTER OF KABUL RIVER (Rozgar Publishers, 2009).
Characteristics of Homeira Qaderi's writing
The writer is known for a writing style that is both lyrical and deeply personal. Her literature often reflects her life experiences, offering an intimate look at the hardships and resilience of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, reflecting her personal experience of living under this repression. Her writings provide insight into the struggles of Afghan women for freedom and equality.
Religious influences on Homeira Qaderi's literature
Religion, especially Islam, has a considerable influence on Homeira Qaderi's work, due to the crucial importance of religion in Afghan society and culture. Some ways in which religion influences her work are:
STUDY OF RELIGIOUS THEMES – Qaderi often analyzes religious themes in her writing, including issues of faith, spirituality, and morality. She incorporates elements of the Islamic tradition in her narratives and proposes reflections on the meaning of religion in people's lives and in Afghan society.
EXAMINING THE INTERSECTION OF RELIGION AND CULTURE – Her work frequently examines the complex intersection between Afghan religion and culture. She shows how cultural and religious traditions intertwine in everyday life, influencing the beliefs, values, and social practices of the Afghan people.
CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS NORMS – in some cases, she challenges established religious norms in her writing, especially those that are oppressive or discriminatory, especially towards women. Question conservative interpretations of Islam that restrict women's rights or promote religious intolerance.
“(...) I was disturbed at that time because my son was taken from me shortly before I got there. So, what I remember most is the kindness of the people in the host country during my mourning. But in my literary life, meeting so many writers were a very pleasant experience. I am still in contact with some of them. In the morning, we all wrote. We would get together in the evenings, sit in the Common Room at night and sometimes listen to music. Some of us talk about our manuscripts. I met good writers and I still follow their work. They are writing well and moving forward. Iowa City has a special place in my heart. (...)"
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
ADVOCATING FOR A PROGRESSIVE INTERPRETATION OF RELIGION – she advocates for a more progressive and inclusive interpretation of religion, especially in relation to women's rights and gender equality. It highlights the humanistic and compassionate aspects of Islam, seeking to reconcile faith with the defense of universal human rights.
REFLECTION ON THE IMPACT OF RELIGION ON SOCIETY – her work can offer reflections on how religion influences Afghan society, shaping institutions, laws, and social norms. She addresses how religion is used to justify political, social, and economic power, and how this affects people's lives, especially women and minorities.
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE AND MEMOIR – One of Qaderi's best-known works, DANCING IN THE MOSQUE: AN AFGHAN MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER SON, is a memoir that blends her personal experience with the broader history of Afghanistan. The autobiographical narrative provides a deep emotional connection with the reader, bringing to light the reality experienced by many Afghan women.
LYRICAL AND POETIC ELEMENTS – her style is often described as lyrical, with prose that incorporates poetic elements. This contributes to the beauty and emotional depth of her narratives, even when dealing with difficult and painful themes.
FOCUS ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND FEMALE RESILIENCE – Qaderi writes extensively about the difficulties faced by women in a patriarchal and oppressive society. Her work highlights the strength, courage, and resilience of Afghan women, often confronting restrictive social norms and fighting for their autonomy and dignity.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CRITICISM – her writing is used to criticize social oppression and policies that restrict human rights, especially women's rights. Her literature serves as a form of resistance against injustice and inequality.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT – her works are deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of Afghanistan. She weaves personal stories with historical events, providing a rich, multifaceted understanding of life in Afghanistan over the past few decades.
SHADES OF HOPE AND DETERMINATION– despite the adversities portrayed, Qaderi's writing often incorporates themes of hope and determination. She emphasizes the human capacity to resist and overcome difficulties, inspiring her readers with stories of perseverance and personal triumph.
Homeira Qaderi's literature is a powerful combination of personal narrative, social criticism, and poetic lyricism, which offers profound insight into the struggles and triumphs of Afghan women in a context of oppression and conflict.
Religion plays a significant role in her work and permeates her narratives offering insights into spiritual, cultural, and social life in Afghanistan. She works on the positive and negative aspects of religion, challenging established norms and promoting a more inclusive and humanistic interpretation of the Islamic faith.
“(...) Fiction writing in Afghanistan is only a century old. In these hundred years, our writers have not produced much. Sometimes it can take a decade for a good work of fiction to emerge. Modern Afghan fiction has a very political tone and serves political goals. The long-running war made it impossible to concentrate on art. Many artists were killed. Many emigrated. In my thesis at Alama Tabatabaie University in Tehran I spoke, I focused on the cultural context of fiction writing in Afghanistan during the last century. An important part of this thesis is about Herat, my hometown. Herat is one of the few cities where writers are busy writing. During the 1992-95 civil war, it was among the least damaged cities in Afghanistan. Its writers were not so dispersed, and the city had more cultural presence. Its people were not so political – on the contrary, they were more in tune with poetry and literature. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
Motherhood constantly threatened
In the days before Homeira Qaderi gave birth to her son, Siawash, the path to the hospital in Kabul was constantly blocked because of frequent suicide bombings. With the city and military on edge, it was common for an armed soldier to point his gun at a pregnant woman's bulging belly, fearing she was hiding a bomb. Driven by the love she felt for her soon-to-be-born child, Homeira walked through blood and debris to reach the hospital doors. But the joy of the birth of her son was soon overshadowed by other dangers that would threaten her life.
No ordinary Afghan woman, Homeira refused to cower under the constraints of a misogynistic social order. At thirteen, defying the law, she risked her freedom to teach children to read and write and fought for women's rights in her theocratic, patriarchal society.
Fictional excerpts from books by Homeira Qaderi
Since I do not have access to the specific content of Homeira Qaderi's books, I asked to ChatGPT to provide fictional examples that capture her writing style and tone based on the descriptions provided. Here they are:
The Dancing Leaf
In the silence that enveloped the sleeping city, Zahra watched the leaves dance in the wind, a ballet of colors and shapes that echoed the turbulence of her own thoughts. Amid the rubble of war, she found beauty in impermanence, in the ephemeral dance of the leaves that, like her, were carried by the relentless current of destiny.
Collection of Stories
In the narrow alleys of Kabul, secrets were hidden among the sighs of veiled women, a labyrinth of stories intertwined by the invisible thread of destiny. In each tale, a myriad of emotions unfolded: the pain of loss, the hope of redemption, and the eternal clash between tradition and progress.
Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother's Letter to Her Son
My dear child, amid the oppressive darkness of the Taliban regime, I danced in the silent corners of our home, whispering prayers of hope while the eyes of the world remained closed to our suffering. I was a mother, a fighter, a voice silenced by fear, but I never stopped dreaming of a tomorrow where children could dance freely in the sun of freedom.
“(...) Afghanistan is trapped in a vicious cycle of repeating its history. We are constantly embroiled in the proxy wars of our neighbors, and because we are, in every respect, a poor country, we cannot get out of these difficult conditions. This is why waves of migration and loss of artists are repeated decade after decade. Whenever a powerful generation of literary artists emerges on this earth, we soon lose them. This is a great tragedy and the reason no literary movement has emerged here. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
Awards received by Homeira Qaderi
Qaderi received her Doctorate in Persian Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. A lifelong human rights activist, she received the Malalai Medal, Afghanistan's highest civilian honor, from the president of Afghanistan, for her exceptional bravery.
She has been recognized for her work as a civil society activist on women's and children's issues in Afghanistan and has participated in several international conferences advocating for human rights. In December 2011, in Germany, she participated in the SECOND BONN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN and spoke before the general assembly about the situation of Afghan women and their fight for equal rights.
In 2012, he participated in the TOKYO CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN, where more than one hundred countries were represented. As part of the Afghan delegation, she requested that other countries help the Afghan government and support Afghan women. In 2014, she was a speaker at the INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION CONFERENCE in Geneva, Switzerland, where she advocated for improved working conditions for Afghan women.
Qaderi's activism and contributions to Afghan literature, culture, and society have been recognized with numerous awards, including the SADEGH HEDAYAT AWARD (2003), ASHRAF GHANI AWARD (2018), and the HELLMAN/HAMMETT ENDOWMENT AWARD FROM HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (2019).
“(...) In Iran, the situation is quite different: writers are more concentrated because they are at peace, as they have at least one safe corner of a house to write. They create dozens of good works every year. They translate. They establish literary movements. They communicate with each other and nurture the new generation of literary artists. I know this very well because I lived in both countries. The government supports artists. Here in Afghanistan, artists are always in financial trouble – the lucky ones who survived death threats. I do not want to say that Iranian artists do not have problems, but they have the space conducive to writing and windows that are not broken by bullets. This is particularly important. Here, if we are not killed in the street, we will certainly be shot through our windows. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
Qaderi has been featured in numerous media outlets, including THE NEW YORK TIMES, BBC and NPR, TIME MAGAZINE, and PEOPLE MAGAZINE, where she has shared her knowledge and experiences as a writer, academic, and activist. She has also been the subject of several documentaries, including THE AFGHAN WOMEN'S ODYSSEY(2012) and THE WOMEN OF KABUL (2014), and was the inspiration for THE SECRET GATE: A TRUE STORY OF COURAGE AND SACRIFICE DURING THE COLLAPSE OF AFGHANISTAN (2023) by Mitchell Zuckoff.
“(...) My colleagues from the Ministry of Education were sent on missions to provinces devastated by war. They never came back. We are back to where we started. Foreign forces used the country as a platform to achieve their objectives in the region, leaving us trapped by global terrorists. Think, as a woman, of a writer who has fought against extremism all her life… that is how I feel these days. Now all the artists are in a panic. Sometimes I feel like I am alone. I get frustrated and lose motivation. Most days I sit by the window in the morning and work on a new project. I look life straight in the eye... I reestablished contact with my Iranian writer friends. I even published three children's works with an Iranian publisher, and I hope to release them soon, during this war and terror. (...)”
Homeira Qaderi, in an interview with IWP.
Homeira Qaderi, who resides outside of Afghanistan, is dedicated to writing and advocating for the rights of Afghan women. Her work and activism serve as an inspiration to many, both within and outside of Afghanistan. Alongside her literary career, she actively champions women's rights and education. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of Afghan women and has publicly emphasized the importance of education and gender equality. Her influential voice in literature and activism is used to raise awareness and promote gender equality. Currently, she holds the position of ROBERT G. JAMES SCHOLAR FELLOW AT THE RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED RESEARCH AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
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