A WOMAN Poems of Silence, Strength, and Survival Zainab Hussaini Dr. Ariel Rosita King Moses Ekwere
Author Chief Editor Editor
A publication of Ariel Foundation International Supporting Women Amid Crisis in Alignment with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda. Ariel Foundation International (Since 2002) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and Holds Observer Status at the European Parliament arielfoundation.org drarielrositaking.com
This work was developed through a collaborative editorial process facilitated by Ariel Foundation International in furtherance of its humanitarian and educational mission. The poems were voluntarily submitted by the author and compiled with her participation over an extended period.
This publication is made available in the public interest to amplify women’s voices and may be shared free of charge or with an optional donation supporting educational initiatives © 2025 Ariel Foundation International
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by
To the Silent Women Who Roar To every woman whose voice was buried beneath fear, whose dreams were interrupted, and whose pain became a quiet revolution within. Your silence is not emptiness, it is a force that will one day shake the world.
DR. ARIEL ROSITA KING, MPH, MBA, PHD (UK), DTM&H, PHD (FRANCE)
Founder and President Ariel Foundation
International & Dr. King Solutions
PREFACE This book is the result of four years of forced silence, days when dreams were lost, and it was poetry that saved me.
Every word in this book is a pain left unspoken, a cry that has turned into a cold silence for the women of my land. Behind every word lies the black sorrow of a woman who still believes and hopes in a bright future through her daughter’ s smile.
My poetry comes from the depths of the hearts of the women of this land, from mothers who, in their silence, will shake the world.
I dedicate this book to women of the world, to prove with my words that in a city alive among mountains, we fight against a forced death.
May the echo of my words, written with tears, bring light to the hearts of the readers.
Zainab Hussaini
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Chief Editor
Dr. Ariel Rosita King
Editor
Sir Moses Ekwere
Book Compiler and Designer
Sir Moses Ekwere
PARTNERS arielfoundation.org A w o m a n ’ s s i l e n c e i s n o t s u r r e n d e r ; i t i s t h e s p a c e w h e r e s h e r e b u i l d s h e r s e l f .
wship Announcement
Fello
Kabul for me Kabulhasalwaysbeenmorethanjustacityforme. Kabulisanoldnotebookofpoetrythatcarriesthescentofafamiliarembrace. Kabulisnotacityonamaporinageography. Kabulisrhythm,itismelody,itistheweightofapoem KabulisKabul.
IwasnotborninKabul, IamnotfromKabulatall.
But
Kabulisthecityofmylove, ThecitywhereIfellinlove, WhereIwasbornanew, ThecitywhereIbuiltmyself, WhereIbrokethechainsofcaptivity, ThecitywhereIrebelled, WhereIbecamesinful
ThecitywhereIbecameateacher, Thecitythatwasthebeginningofanewlife, Anewmission.
Kabulhasalwaysbeenmorethanacityforme. ItwasataleofOneThousandandOneNights
Everyday,onmywaytoschool, Itouchtheoldtreesalongthealley Sothattheymaykeepthememoryofmyfingerprints.
ForIbelieve Thatonthissamepath, Yearslater, Awomanlikeme Justasfearless, Justassimple,
Unadorned, Different
Willplaceherfingersupontheoldtrees’bodies, Uponthetracesofmytouch. She,too,willbeateacher, AndaloverofKabul, Andarebel, alone.
Andshewillreadmypoemtoherstudents.
I bake bread Ibakebread andavegetablesoup
Forustostayalive andtodefeatthisblack,forceddeath
Fromthebrokenradiointhecornerofthewall thesedays,only thesoundofbitterandbadnewscomes
Here,thewallscry,butIdonot
Ising,thesongofthestoneflower
Mysonlaughs,hetouchesmyface
Asifhewantstotouchmyvoice withhissmallhands,hetouchesthewords
Ibakebread Myhandburns,forthethousandthtime
Burninghurts Thecommandofforceddeathhurts
Withthisburnthand,Iwritepoemseveryday
Untilonedaymypoem thesewanderingwords willbecomeasong,likethesongofthestoneflower
Thenawoman
whilebakingbread willhummypoemtoherself
Andhersonwilltouchlovingly thewanderingwordsofmypoem
Letthewallscryforme andsay:shedefeatedtheblackdeath
Thesmellofvegetablesoup andthesoundofbadnews comesfromtheradio
A Woman! Itisnightanddark, itisraining. Thesunhasnotriseninthislandforalongtime. And, women ’slivesbeganwithsunset. Womenwhosefacialfeatureswilltellyou howmanylashestheyhavereceived.
Inthissadland,enclosedbyinvisiblebarbedwire, awomanisstuck, betweengoingandstaying.
Awomanwhohashiddenabookofpoetry forherdaughter inthegarden underanappletree
Here,inalandwheretulipsnolongergrow! Womensitinabsolutedarkness, yetintheirimagination theygotheseventhheaven anddrawmoonlightonclaypots.
It'sraining andagain thesoundofgunshotsandtheshoutsofAllah-o-Akbar, andhere,awomanisagainleavingthehouseinaforcedandblackhijab. Shewalksthroughthestreetsofthiscoldcity, sometimesfirmlyandsometimestrembling
Awoman,ontheotherside, lostinthetragedyofpoverty, borrowedapieceofbread, thenslowlyfadedintoacrowdofpassersby.
ThereisthevoiceoftheAzan andthevoiceoftheMullah inthemosque, whoshoutsagainthatwomenarethefirewoodofthehellfire, inwhichmenwillburn.
Andhere,awomansmiles Shetellsherdaughterstoriesoftomorrow ofthenightwolf, ofthewoundedbird, ofimaginaryheavensandhells.
It'sraining it'sdarkeverywhere asifeveryoneisscaredorasleep Andawomanwhoisstillbeautiful liketheHinduKush everynight heremotionsshatter; Sheisdevastated. Shedieseverynight. Andstill,shecomestolifeagain.
Sheknows, oneday,shewillwatchthesunrisewithherdaughter, ontheshoresoftheAmuDarya.
Awomaninsilence, applieshennaonherdaughter'shands, andsayssoftly, onedayatulipwillgrowagaininthisland.
Itisnight itisraining awoman midnight underthelightofacandle,
nolongerreadstheQuran withherwoundedandtiredhands shewritespoetry, wishingforthedaythesunwillriseagain shewillbuildaschool,apark shewillplayasongofjoy, shewillmakeagreendressforherdaughter
Itisnightanddark hereawoman Wants
Toplantflowersalloverthealley Shewants todanceagain torise tobecomelight because thiswoman, hasadaughter, andathousandhopes, Forjustonedayoflife.
Nowruz HappyNowruztoyou,Owoundedbyfate, Oladyexiledintothisprisonandthesehate-stainedborders, imprisonedinthechainsofthislonelygeography!
Theyforbidmefrombeinginnature,frombeinginthestreets,frombeinginthe schools,andtheyrejoicethattheyhaveimprisonedmewithinthefourwallsofthe house, unawarethatIexist andtheskyexists.
Howwilltheyforbidmybondwiththesky? Howwilltheyeverunderstand?
Iopenthewindow,andthefreshspringairentersmychest,andIsurrendermore hopefullytothesky.
Ilovespring,andwitheveryNowruz,Ifallmoreinlove. Thiscoldandharshwinterhaspassed Springmeanshardshipswillpass.
IloveNowruz. Openthewindow. Itisimpossible impossible forthemtoclosethewindows.
Laugh,andcryoutwithjoy, forNowruzcannotbeburied.
Nowruz,intheclamorofthebirdsofthesky,anchorsitselfdancingoverKabul andhowbeautifullyithasanchored!
Ithasstirredanexcitementinmyheart
Osufferinglady, ladyofsilenceandclamor, openthewindows,and HappyNowruztoyou.
Before You, I Had No Color Idon’tknowwhatcolortocallmyselfbeforeyou, fortoday,becauseofyourlove,Ihavebecomearainbow, fulloflight,color, andbeauty.
Stayinme,greenandeternal, forbeforeyou, Iwasnothingmorethanabody.
Olove,Ospirit,
howbeautifultheworldhasbecome forme thatpuppetofcoldanddarkshadowplays, whofoundherself amidthelosingandgettinglostinyou
ThisiswhyIamentirelyfullofcolor, forbeforeyou,Ihadnocolorever, forbeforeyou,Ihadnopoemever.
If I Could Go Back IfIcouldgobacktothepast, Iwoulddefinitelychooseyou. You,who,amidstthechaosandturmoilofKabul, wereformethetruemeaningofpeace
IfIcouldreturntothepast,Iwouldstillchooseyou youwiththesameglow ofyouth,passion,andauthenticity.
You,withthoselooksfulloflove, Iwouldchooseyousincerely
IfIcouldgobacktothepast, Iwouldsingforyoumore, andbetween“youandyou,”Iwouldnotconsultfate.
Iwouldnottradethewholeworldforthesafetyofyourshoulders
Today,itismeandKabul, andthechaosthathasseepedthroughthecitywalls, andIleanagainstthiswall withadeephopeinyouandyourgaze, andtheunspokenwordsofyoureyes.
Intheseheavyandcolddays, tellmeagainaboutlove!
To the Girls Who Will Break the Chains IthanktheuniversethatIamateacheronthisland, wheresimplybeingawomanisstillacrime.
I,inhonorofmystudents Afghanteenagegirls writeeveryday,Ikeepwriting!
Thosebeautifulirisflowers, whoseentirebeingsarecoveredinblack, eventheirfaces!
Theyhavebecomeallblackexceptfortheirhearts, fulloftheirsmall,beautifuldreams!
Althoughtheyhavelongbraidedhair,theysay: “Teacher!Iwishmyhaircouldbeshort,short(boyish),andgreenandpurple! IwanttolistentothesongsIlove,loudandexplosive,andsinganddancewith them!”
Today,thisisjustawish Butthesegirlsaretheoneswhowillbreakthischain…oneday!
Henna, Colors, and Freedom Ihavefinishedthehennadesignonmydaughter’shand. mydaughter,Lifemeansthesebeautifuldesigns
Yourhandsshouldberedwithjoyandhenna-colored, yourbodyingreenandblueclothing,andyourbanglescolorfulandmelodious!
Eidisthatdaywhenthereisnosorrowinyourheart, nosorrowforwater,nosorrowforbread,nosorrowforhome.
Mydaughter!
AlthoughKabulissodarkandpainful, spinanddance!
Becausetheworldisalwaysthiscolor
Laugh makeeverymomentofyourlifegreen
Mydaughter, imagine!
Aworldthatisgreen,notgray
Mydaughter, spinanddance
Imagineaworldwhere thereisnowar,nopoverty,nopain, nothicksmokefromanexplosion, andnoonelongsforadayoffreedom
Spin,dance, andlaugh, fortome,thisisEid.
Thebeautifulcolorofthehennaonyourhands thisisEid!
AndthedaywhenKabulbecomesfree, thatdayisEid!
Andthatday Isadayofhenna,color,andjoy.
ImaginethedaywhenKabulbecomesfree
Spin,dance,andlaugh, Thatforus, Eidis Thedayoffreedom.
In the Silence of Eid IwriteforthoseIdonotknow;anonymityisaninterestingidentitywhereyou cantrulybeyourself. Today,myheartwasheavy. Youknow, fastingforthirtydaysisnothard.
Whatishardforme istheimmensehustlethatriseseveryyearnearEid,Everyone cleanstheirhomes,buysclothes,fruit,andsweets… becausetheyhaveguestsandattendparties.
AndI
haveaclosedgate,and mychildren’sendlessquestions, sothateveryEidpassesformelikeanotheryear, turningmyhairwhite.
Beingaloneisawordthat cannotbeinterpreted, cannotbegivenmeaning, cannotbetranslated itcanonlybefeltdeepintheheart!
Theskyisterriblyovercast!! Ihearmychildrenlaughing. Theymustnotseemytears Ilookattheskythroughthewindow. Idon’tknowwhytheskyhasbecomethewaytosoothehearts, becauseitisdistantandunreachable
Iwipemytearsandtakemysontothebath! Still,aheavinessremainsinmyheart… Adeepfeelingofloneliness! Hasiteverhappenedthatyourbodyishere,butyoursoulwanders?
Iwasbathingmyson,but-itfeltasifIwasnotthere! myson ’svoicebringmeback! (Di-manahohiha)
Ilookedathisface!
Hehadhiseyestightlyshutandwassingingwithallhisbeing, utteringwordsthatexistinnolanguage! Andhedidsowithallhisstrength,loudly
Myhandsfroze Iwasstunned. Istoppedandstared atallthatbeautyandinnocence!
Heopenedhiseyesinsurprise? “Whydon’tyouwashmyhair?” Ilaughed andhelaughed!
“Whyareyoulaughing,Mother?” “Atyoursong?” “Whatsong?” AndIsaid: (Di-manahohiha) Helaughed, andI laughed
To the Sky, I Miss You Myheart,asbigasmychildhood, fromheretothesky, totheseventhheaven.
Imissyou. Youwereastrictfather,Dad, but Istillfeelthecolorofthosedays, eventhoughIdon’trememberhowoldIwas.
Youknow?Iknewthatbehindyourharshface therewasalwaysakindman Thatday, whenyouputmeonyourbicycle, Ifeltlikethequeenofthisworld,andthewholeworldwasbeneathmyfeet
Imissyousomuch
Youknow,allthehoursandsecondspass,but theypasshardandpainfully.
Iamstillhoping thatwhentheknockingonthedoorcomes whenIask,“Whoisit?” itwillbeyou,andyouwillsay,“Yourfather!”
WillIeverseethatday?
Everyday, Iwish togoback, return tothatday, tothosefewhours whenyouwerekind.
Inallmydreams,ashadowwanders, andIknowthatshadowisyou! Butyouyourselfarenotthere
Myheart,exactlyasbigasmychildhood, asbigastheearthtothesky, missesyousomuch!
Autumn Wordsgrowcoldinautumnandlosetheirmeaning. Iaminmyautumn. IwanttotellyouthatIloveyou!
Idon’tknowwhyIcannot. Wordshavelosttheirmeaning, andI ItisI-who,inthisvagueair,becomesvague.
Theunrepeatableandobscureseasons Ilosemyselfamongpoemsandwritings, justtotellyouthatIloveyou.
Butitisautumn,anditseemseventhewordsslowlypreparefortheir wintersleep. Ifwintercomes, whatshallIdo? Whenmyhandsareempty,andIcannoteven,inasingleword, tellyouthatIloveyou!
A Pause in a Hectic World Theworldisbusy, andpeoplemovequickly, withoutlookingatthepath, towardapathfulloftreeswithcolorfulleaves Theygo,andsometimestheyrun.
Iloveautumn, likeallthosewholovepoetry,tea,andthesmellofdampearth.
Ilovewalkingonthedryleavesscatteredonthecobblestonestreets withmychildren, andjoyfully,likeanyothermother, celebratingautumnwiththem.
But here, theeasternmostpointoftheMiddleEast, alonelycorneronthemap withapainfulname, forthiscity, autumnisnotalwayspoetic.
Forme,wholovescolors, thevariouscolorsofthetrees’leaves arenotsobeautiful
Ilovemychildren’slaughter,but thecoldmorningautumnwind piercesmybones!
Thebitterscentofwintercomesharshly, theabsenceofwood-thelackofwarmth, andtheshortageofstoriesforthelongnightshere.
Theworldisbusy,andpeopledon’tfeelautumn. Theywantastoryforthenightstocome,
awhisperforchildren, asmallandgenuinelaugh, forthemomentsofwalkingonthelastdryleavesofthealley.
Theywantwarmth forthecolddaysahead.
Iwantamomentofpause Theworldisbusy. Iloveautumn, andIwanttobeimmersedinthecolorsofthequietcity’strees!
Iwantawordthatistheoppositeof‘busy’!
Buried Alive Theyburiedme
Asgenerationaftergeneration,thefateofgirlswastobeburiedalive
Theyburiedmeandplunderedallmyfeelings,leavingmewithemptinessand void
Theyburiedme,theyburiedallmysmallandcolorfuldreams
I,whotremblingandfearful,walkedthealleysofKabulsoftlyandanxiously justtobemyself
Theyburiedme
Unconscioustears
Unwantedtears
Mourningthewretchedsoulofmine
Theyburiedme
Allmywordsended,andonebyonethewordslosttheirmeaning
Theyburiedme
Andwithme-thousandsofwomen
Thousandsoffighters
Wereburiedallatonce
Allmywordsanddreams
Allmyfeelingsandwritings
Wereburied
Theyburiedmelikethis
Theyburiedmealive
Theyburiedmeallatonce
Lost Without You Whenyouarenothere Thehouseisempty
Igetlostinthevague,invisiblenoiseofthehouse
Igetlostinthecrowdofsorrow
Whenyouarenothere,Ifollowyourfootprintsinthealley Andonceagain
Inthenoiseofthischaotic,sadcity Igetlost
Igetlostinmyselfandinthecity
Whenyouarenothere Avoiceinsidemescreams Comeback
Butonceagain
Igetlostamongtheunfamiliarsoundsofmyheart Igetlostwithoutyou!
Shattered Self Andyou,thatexplosionofterrible,recklessanger, Wholiftedallmysoulandfeelings,likeasmall,defenselessglassvessel, Aboveyourhead! Andwithoutamomentofhesitation,youstruckithardtotheground!
Ibroke. Allmyfeelingsscattered,piecebypiece,ontheground.
Yearspass, Andstill,everyday,Iwander,tryingtofindthefragmentsandpiecesof myself.
Iamgatheringmyselfagain Aselfthatwillnevertrulybeitself.
Wings in a Cage Whentheskyiscloudyandtheairismisty oh,woetomyheartwhenit growsheavy!
Itfeelsasifmyentirechestisbeingpressed, Amotherinthecornerofacagewithboundhands
Ilookatmydaughter, Abird,joyfulanddancing, Hopingtogrow,tospreadherwings, andtobefree
Isee,andIcannotdoanything!
Tobeinacageandnotbeabletothrowyourselfagainstitswalls! Nottobeabletoraiseyourvoice! Nosound,noword,nosong,nocry.
Isitpossible!?
Mylittlegirl,newlywinged,whoindreamsandimaginationfliesinto space!
Mylittleastronaut Shecannotgotoschool.
Mybeautifuldaughter Shecannotruninthestreets, Scream,ordance Freely.
Myjoyfullittlegirl,caughtinthecornerofthecage, Caughtwithinmyarms!
Shepaints. Shepaintsherdreams Andshecannotbelievethatshemayneverreachthestars!
Iscatterherhair, Sothatshemayspin,andIdrowninherbeauty.
Spinanddance, WhileI,lostinwatchingyou, Prayyouwillnotwither.
Risehigh, ForIwillseeyouintheskies.
Untilthedaymyheart, Soslow sopainfulandsosad! Stillbeats, Thereishope.
Hopeoffreedomforme,foryou!
Beyond the Skies, I See Myself Itisthestoryoftodayandyesterday, Therepeatedstoryofme. Iamawaveofangerandpride, Heartbrokenandhopeless
Amouthandeyesclosed, Andtwopowerlesshands.
WhatdoIwant?
WhatamI?WhoamI?
Whatismyshareoflife
Buttoweepthroughnightsanddays
Hopelessness, Painandmisery
WhatamI?WhoamI?
Fullofuproar, Apassionandfervorasleepinmysoullikefire
Aredfire
Hiddenbeneaththeashes
Fromthedimwindowofmylonelyhut Iseeahope. Iseethelightofthemoonandwavesandwavesofstars.
Beyondtheskies, Itseems, Anotherme,Isee!
I Smile at Them Thosewhooncecrushedme, lookatme, theylookintomyeyes.
Thosewhooncetoremydreamsapart, arehere, inthiscity, theybreathe! Andtheybreathedeeply.
Thosewhoinjectedfear,anger,andhatred bitbybit, momentbymoment, intomychildhood, now lookatmychildren.
Thosewhoshatteredmylovedones, mydearestones, andrejoiced, arehere,happyandcontent.
Iamanidolofburiedfeelings, anidolofunspokenwords, andsuppressedscreams.
IlookatthemandIsmile Yes,Ismileatthem.
Prison of Fear Here,youcanonlysearchforthelostparticlesofjoy.
Sometimes,amultitudeofsorrowandgriefcomesoveryou.
Witheachpassingday, wefeelmoreandmoresuffocated.
Forwhatcrime, bywhatdecree, arewedeservingofalifeinaprisonof fear,complexes,andhatred?
Inolongerhaveanywishesformyself, excepttobefreedandtofly, tobreakthechainsofcaptivity, andtospreadmywings
I Write of My Dreams Iwriteofmydreams, flyingintotheskies, soaringhigh,andspreadingmywings.
Iwriteofmydreamsforyou, tobesomewherewheretheonlysoundisyourlaughter, notexplosions,notsuicideattacks. I, drowninyourfragrance.
Read, Iwriteofmydreamsforyou. Myheartlongsforjoy, myheartlongsforexcitement, andmyheartlongsforlove.
Myheartlongsforflight,andmyheartlongsforfreedom Myheartlongsforlife.
Tobefreeandfree, tobefreeandjoyful.
Ihavewrittenmydreams
Read. Itisnight, andI, slowlyandquietly,tearapartthewritings. Itearapartthedreams.
Andafamiliar,recurringsobcomes, and-thiscrygivesmenorest!
The Caged Swallow Foralongtime,Iwaslikeahomelessmigratoryswallow! Astormcame, andsuddenlyIfoundmyselfinanironcage.
Thatswallow,whichlongedtofly,longedfortheskyandtosoar! Ibecamecaptive
Iwasnotthatbird thatwouldbesatisfiedwithonlywaterandgrain…
Everyday, Ibeatmyselfagainstthewallsofthecage, hopingforfreedom…
Theworldisdark.
Mywingsarebroken… Iambloodyandwounded
Amongthecrowdedmasses, Iseemyself inthereflectionsofpassersby’seyes awoman, tall,steadfast, andwalkingwithfirmsteps!
Sowhereisthatswallow, broken-winged,wounded,andexhausted?
Whydotheyseemethisway?
Thecityisinpain. Ourgraycityisinpain.
Iamtired! Iamtired ofthesefalsemirrorsthatdonotshowthewounds donotshowtheexhaustion Thisstrongandfirmwoman thatisnotme…
Mother of Prayer, Mother of Silence Mother,tellmeastory, withthescentofspringblossoms, tellmeastory. Mother, holdmeinyourarms sothat mywearinessmayend.
TellmeastorysoImayfindpeace.
Mymother, motherofuntoldstories, motherwithafloralskirt, motheralwaysinprayer, tellmeastoryjustonce.
Motherofprayer,motherofsilence, motherofchildhoodnights, tellmeastory.
Withtearfuleyes,Icalledyourname. Idonotknow ifyouhaveeveraskedyourGodaboutmystate? Omotherofprayer,motherwhoconverseswithGod, forIambrokenandruinedtoday.
Mother, Itooamamothertoday withwetandexpectanteyes, Icallyourname, tellmeastory.
Omotherofprayer, motherwithafloralskirt.
Muska Isitpossibletocryandlaughatthesametime? Isitpossibletobebothspringandautumn?
Ourtallandbeautifulgirl,Muska, enteredtheschoolcorridor
Haveyoueverseensomeonefind, whattheyhadlost?
Haveyoueverseenamotherseparatedfromherchild-andthatchildfinds themotherherself?
Isitpossibletobejoyfulwhileyourheartaches?
Muskawasmysixth-gradestudentlastyear. Shehadlonghair, andshecouldbraidit, anywayyouwanted. Sheevenbraidedmyhair! Thetraceofherfingersisstillinmyhair!
IcanneverforgetMuska-andalltheMuskas Shelaughs beautifullylaughs. Howstrongsheis! Muchstrongerthanus
Wecrybecauseofher, becauseofhermandatoryblackclothes, whichshedoesn’tknowhowtomanagewithherlongskirt
ShesaysshestudiesinanIslamicschool.
Thepressureofthelessonsistoomuch. Shehastoendureelevenreligiousbooks.
God,whatkindoftestisthis? Theseareallchildren. Howcantheyendure? Isthisjustice?
Ihaveseenpeoplebegforwater,forbread! ButtodayIsaw inthisgodlesscity girls beggingforlessons!
Fromhowfardotheycome?
Onfoot, withworn-outshoes, bodiestiredfromstruggle, fightingagainsteverything, andintheend, theybegforlessons?!
Sheisverysmall, yetIlookatherandseethisimmensewillpower.
Shecameonlytoseeus
Herheartbroughtherhere,notherfeet. Howbeautifulthisfeelingis!
Isitpossibletobeamotherandnotbeamother? IsitpossibletobeaMather, withoutgivingbirth, Shelovesmemorethanhermother!
Ilearncourageandstrengthfromher, yet shecallsme teacher!
I Love You Like the Sky Inmyhouse,therearemanywindows, butIhaveonemagicalwindow.
Asmallwindowinmydarkroom thatconnectsmetothiscity
Ilovemymagicalwindow, andIloveyoutoo IloveyoulikeIlovemysmallroom’swindow.
Throughthatwindow,Iwatchthecity, thehouses,eachholdingitsownstory EveryeveningIgazeatthem, yetIamsearchingforyou. Ihopeonedayyouwillpassbymywindow.
Ilovethisstrangecitydeeply itssunsets, itsbigandsmallhouses, thestoriesofitspeople.
AndIloveyoutoo. Iloveyou likeastory fromahouse, fromthesepeople.
Nightfalls,andadeepsilencefillsthealley, andI, Ilovethissilence. AndIloveyoutoo, becauseIloveyoulikeIlovethenight’squiet.
Infrontofmeisamountain, litbythelightsofthehousesonitsslopes. Ashining,beautifulmountain. Icanwatchitsilluminatedslopesforhours, andIloveitdearly
AndIloveyoutoo, likeashiningmountain!
Ilookupatthesky, anditfeelsasifthemoonissmilingatme, thestarsarewatchingmewitheagerness. IspeaktoGodaboutyou. IknowHelovesme. Ilovethesky, themoon, thestars, IlovetheGodofthesky, andIloveyoutoo, becauseIloveyoulikeIlovethesky.
Like the Day of Judgment Oneday,liketheDayofJudgment, theAfghanmansuddenlybecameTalib. Itwasaquietnight,andpeopleweredeepinsleep. But, withthefirstrayofthemorningsun, thepeopleofthecitywerefranticandstunned.
Amidtheirmurmurs,theysaid: Theirrevolutionhadtriumphed! Andso, likegrandmother’stale, everythingwassimple, yetpainful,sorrowful,andsudden!
Thenextday, allthewomenwereinturmoilandanxiety. Andyet,theAfghanmansuddenlybecameTalib.
Theyshuttheschooldoorwithangerandguns, andinnocentgirls theonlyvictimsofthisblackvictory!
Andthebrotherkeptsilent,andthefathertoo. AsifthebrotherhadsuddenlybecomeTalib,andthefathertoo! Here,oneday,theAfghanmansuddenlybecameTalib.
Theyallwitnessed thedeathofdreams, thetearsanddespair. Andlikecorpses, theykeptsilent-acoldsilence!
Andafterthatday, everyAfghanmansuddenlybecameTalib.
Thatday, whichresembledtheDayofJudgment whentheyshuttheschooldoorwithrageandguns.
Andlikegrandmother’sendlesstale theAfghanmansuddenlybecameTalib.
I Love My Homeland Therearethingsthatneverleaveourbonemarrow, likelove, likehomeland ahomelandalwaysruined. Like themythsofchildhood, likefaith, thememoryofmother, andthefaceoffather
Ilovemyhomelandwitheveryheartbeat, Iloveitfromthedepthofmybonemarrow.
Likelove, likethemythsofmychildhood,Iloveit. Asvastasmyfaith, andbeyondthememoryofmother, liketheever-lastingfaceofmyfather
Myhomeland, thelandofruins, Iwillalwaysloveyou. Withyou,Ioncehaddreams
Red Nails, Black Veil Onecanlovebothmathematicsandpoetry. Inatimewhentheworldissodark, theworldsmellsofwar. Thisisme,andthisismypoetrynotebook.
Withredandpinknailpolish, onecanbuildaworld! Morebeautiful!
Thesunlooksattheearthandsmiles, anditsrayscaressmyface
Itwantstotellme: theworldisstillbeautiful.
Withallitscontradictions
likethethicksmokeofexplosions inwar, andthebarefootdanceofthelittlechildinouralley.
Likemycontradictions
bothmathematicsandpoetry, bothsilenceanduproar
Boththedarkblacknessofmyhijab, alwaysdark, andthecolorofmynails,redandpink! Alwaysbeautiful.
Theworldwithitscontradictions difficultbutbeautiful, beautifulinthisway, likethewanderingwordsofmypoetry, likethedanceofthelittlegirlinouralley, barefeet.
Silent Fighters Thisisme AwomanfromtheMiddleEast Acitylostinthedustofsorrow
Ourshareoftheuniversewas tosleeplessthanthewomenoftherestoftheworld!
Thatamidsttheabundanceofbeautyandcolorintheworld, weliveboldlyandsimply!
Letmesayitsimplyandcoldly!
Oursharehasbeenshiveringinthewintercold anditstillis!
Iwantedtowriteforthewholeworld! Thewoman, Here,inthislostcity Hasbeenfightingforyears Hasrisen!
Hasalwaysfought! Sincechildhood,forplayinginthestreets! Forgettinganeducation Forbloody,terrifying,andforcedmarriages!
Forsecretlytakingbirthcontrolpills! Forwearingmakeup,andaredlipstick!
Forleavingthehouse-withoutreason justfornothing!
Awoman,anight, Lookedatthesky
Andquietlysaidshewasverytiredbut Shefellasleep-forgotherwords!
Womenhere Inthisdarkcity
Arealongsidetheirhunters!
Theypassbythem
Lookintotheireyes And Theyhatethem,yetsmileatthem!
Thealways-beautifulwomenofthiscity
Inthepowerfulhandsofthetyrantreligion! Everypassingday, Theyarecrushed.
Andthus
Silently
Onebyone,theydie.
Theairiscold
Iwriteacoldsentence
Believeit
Thesedays
Thesewoundedwomen
Raisedaughters Who,oneday
Willhavehandsstrongenough Toburntheveil
Thatmymothersaidwassacred
This Sin I Love Themoonhasbecomethemoonofthefourteenthnight, anditslighthasfallenthroughthewindowontothecarpetonthefloor. Howbeautifulitis, howromantic.
Godhadwrittenthestoryoftheearthinanotherway!
Anotherway, muchmorebeautiful, likeadanceofjoy, withoutmusic.
Todaythey finallygavemeawarningtoo, andIkeptsilent…
Iamalsoawoman, anordinarywoman. Ihadnoanswer
Godknows, Ialwaystoldmystudents thatwemustraiseourvoicesandnotremainsilent inthefaceofoppression andtyranny
Letthisverymoonbethewitness, thatI, theonewhoalwaysencouragedmystudentsnottoobeyordersofforce nottoremainsilent, todayIremainedsilent! IwaspowerlessandIremainedsilent.
Forme,themeaningofbeauty, verysimpleandpure, isonlyawoman’shairandhersmile likethemoonlight onthefourteenthnight, atmidnight, fallenuponthecarpet.
AndIlovemyhair, andinthisstoryofGod Ilovebeingawoman Ilovemyhair, nomatterhowmuchthemullahssayitisasinandmustbehidden Idonotwanttohideit. Ilovethissin.
Todaytheyorderedme, harshlyandwithforce:‘Coveryourhair!’ AndIremainedsilent Iamalsoanordinarywoman. Iwantedtobestrong. Godhasseen thatIwanted tobetheheroofthestory.
The Crystalline Bowl Wehavebecomethecrystallinebowlofafish. Wehavebecomehumansfullofconflictingemotions. Ourlanguageneversays“Iloveyou” Ourhairisnevercaressed.
Howlonely wehavebeencreated.
Eventhoughwearethirsty,sothirstyforlove itseemsnooneknowshowtogivelove Thelawdoesnotallowit. Religiondoesnotpermitit.
Herewe donotunderstandmusic. Wedonotunderstandwords Wedonotunderstandthewanderingpatternsofpainting, northeorderlycolorsofminiatureart.
Wehavebecometheglassbowlofafish thatknowsitcannotbeanoceanforthefish. Withthefish’sdancing, itsheartbecomesturbulent anditwantstobereleased, tobreakwithinitself, and becomebitbybit toprovelovetoitsfish
Here,nooneunderstandslove. Theydonotreadpoetry.
Theydonotunderstand breaking andbecomingbitbybit and Ihavebecomethecrystallinebowl!
The Last Soldier IamanAfghanwoman, bornaMuslim.
Onedaymysoulwaskilled.
Theysuffocatedmeathome, Ihavebecome likeacorpse.
HowcanIwrite Tosay, “Takeoutmyheart andsee thatpatiencehassproutedinit”?
DoyouknowhowIgainedpatience?
Thisheavyword, throughendlesstears, tearsaftermysilentscreams, fromtherepeated,violentpainofmylife.
EverynightIcursedloudly, andinthiswaymyheartslowlyached
Crying, foryears, hasbeentakingus tothesky.
Iwritetheselines asiftheywereatestament.
Schoolhasbecomethelaststronghold thelastbattlefield andIwriteforyou,asyourlastsoldier
Believeme. Givemeaningtopatienceforme.
Reciteasurahforme, orapoem, sothatImayliveagain
If War Were Not Black Iamadaughterofwar, someonewhohasexperiencedfleeingfromwarmanytimes. Ilovethecolorgreen.
Ipickupmyfacepaintingsupplies tobringlifetomypale,yellowedface Iwishwecouldpaintlifeitself!
Iloveallcolors,butIaminlovewithgreen. Iputgreeneyeshadowonmyeyes andlookintomylittlemirror. Iamamazing Beautiful… Ismile.
Thisisawar-torncity, acitywhoserootssmellofbloodandgunpowder. Here,bridesweargreenwhentheysay“yes”totheirgroom
ButIdidnothaveagreendress
WhyamIsodifferent? Iamagirlwhohasrepeatedlyfledfromwar.
Iwasbeautiful, butwhenIsaid“yes”tohim,mydresswasblack! Ilovedgreen, andIlovedhimtoo.
Ismileagainatthemirror andseethelonelyfigureinit.
Iwipeoffthegreeneyeshadow andputmysuppliesaway.
Greenisalwaysbeautiful, whetherabride’sdress ormyeyeshadow.
Becausegreen isthecolorofGod’slove.
Youknow, Ithinkwarisblack! Iwillneverputonblackeyeshadow! Idon’tlikeit. Butmyeyesareblackanddark. MaybethatisthereasonfortheconstantwarintheMiddleEast, thattheeyesofitswomenaredark
Yet, letmesaysimply, myeyesarebeautiful, butwarisnot.
ThedressIsaid“yes”inwasblack, andIwasabrideinablackdress.
Maybethecolorhelovedwasblack, because helovedthecolorofmyeyestoo
Maybeblackisbeautifultoo. MaybeitisalsoacolorofGod’slove.
MaybeIcanloveblack, asmuchasIlovegreen ifwarwerenotblack
The Red Shawl Flamesoffireeruptedfromtheoven, andontheotherside, awomanwithherredmirror-embroideredshawlwasfrozen
Andwithherbeautifulblackeyes,sheisabsorbedintheflamesoffire andseesnothingelse!
Withherthin,sunburnedhands, shesetsthepagesofherpoetrynotebook onebyoneintothefire
Itseemssheseesnothingelse! TheAugustsunisscorchingandendless
Ontheotherside, therearethelovepoemsofawoman thatarechainedontothepagesofanoldnotebook,andtheyarestillalive andhelplessly,asifbeggingforfreedom!
Herredmirror-embroideredshawlisbeautiful… anditgivesbeautytohertiredwheat-coloredface whichreflectsthemajestyoftheHinduKush.
ThebittersilenceoftheHinduKushisfelt intheframeofherblackeyes
Withbarefeet,sheapproachesthefire! Shenolongerseesthefire! And, sheseemstoseenothingelse!
Acoldsilenceisinallherbeing, andshenolongerhearsthecriesandscreamsofherbarefootchildren, whosefeetareburnedbythehotground!
Shehasbecomeincomparablebeauty withherredmirror-embroideredshawl! Shehasbecomepoetry,silence-legendBut herheartwantstobecomefire! Toblaze,tosmoke,toturnintoashes!
Theredmirror-embroideredshawlfelltotheground
Thelastpoetrynotebookhasalsoburned!
Sheseemstoseenothing!
Hereareflamesoffireand thetearsofchildrenwhosebarefeetwereburnedbythehotground,
andpoemsthatnolongerexist, andawoman
whowassobeautifullylegendary andbecamefire!
Colors of Freedom Thisisme,andthisisthesilenceofmyroom, Thatstreet’sclamor,andthescreamsofchildreninjoy.
Iwanttowriteforyou, Womanacrossthegeography.
Ilookatmypenanditsremainingink, Atthelinesonthispageofmynotebook. Imakethelinesdarker, Usandoursmallwishes
Havebecometheseparallellines, Linesclosetogetherandfarapart, Togetheryetapart, Itseems
Thewholeworldknows Thatwewon’treach! Yetwewantedtoreach.
Colorfulwishes, Liketheballoonsinthehandsofthatblonde-hairedgirl Whoissellingthem.
Iwriteforyou, Womanacrossthegeography, Asifwewon’treachthesecolorfulwishes, Fornotreaching Isthepurebeautyoflove, Becauseanyonewhoreachestheirwishes Seemstohavefinishedtheirlove!
Iwanttowriteagain, Iwish, IwishIhadneverexisted, Iwishtherewassilence,notthisclamor, Iwishyouwerecloser…just!
Iwriteagain,thistimedaydreaming imagine, Youarethere,andIamhere, Allthebeautifulwomenoftheworld, Andastar-filledsky, Anendlessnight… Andfrozenhours.
I
Readsomanypoems Tomakeupforthesecolddays!
Iwriteagain, Frommycolorfulwishes, Eachletteroffreedom Isoneoftheircolors!
Forme,whoisgraytoday! Iwantoneday,outofhappiness, Tobelikearainbow,beautifulandvast.
Womanacrossthegeography, Listen!
Isaytoyousoftly Ihaveleftinstructions:
(Wrapmeafterdeathinaredandgreenshroud, Andplacemeinabrightlycoloredcoffin, ForIwanttogotomeetGod Joyfully.)
Thelinesonthispagearefull,andIdon’twanttomovetothenextpage.
Letuskeepyourdistance Onthisverypage.
Letusstay Withinthesewritings, Inthesilence, Asthescreamsofthechildreninthestreethavequieted
Andthiswritingisforyou, Forme, Withthenameoffreedom,thedistanceoffreedom, Beautifulanddelightful,itends.
Voices of Resistance Theyarehavingawedding Ourneighbor
Thereisnoelectricity
Likemostnights
Thereisnomusic Bytheorderofreligion
But Suddenly Itisthepleasantsoundofwomen’ssinging,withtheirdafdrums, Theyaresinging!
Theirbeautifulvoices,inthispatriarchalgovernment, Arelikeashakeoftheearth, Likelightning, Thevoicesofwomenwhoweresilenced arepleasant.
Thewholestreetisfilledwiththeirsound, Likebreakingchains, Destroyingwalls.
Everyonelistenswithpleasure, EventhoseseeminglyMuslimmen, Theseharshmen, Sitquietly There, Atthecornerofthewall, Andtheylisten…
Doyouknow,theartofeverywoman Isthelastpointinthehardpathofherlife,
Ahardshipthateitherbreaksher,orburiesher
But
Atthatpoint,insteadofbreakingorbeingburied, Shebecomesbeautiful eternal, Likeakiss!
Sheisreborn Withthebeautyofasong,adance,andasadpoem.
Sheisrebornamongsorrow, Andhersoulbecomesfree,anditbecomesherart
Sheplaysthedaf Andsings,
Poemsthathermotheroncesangtoherinthecradle!
ThisisanAfghanwoman! Who,undereverywhip,composedpoetry, Eveninthemomentsofdying,shesang, Andintheconfinementofherhouse, Shedancedwiththewalls, Andinthesilenceofhernight, Insolitude, Withwoundedhands Andtiredfingers, Shewillplaymusicthatwillmakeyoubelieveineternallife!
The Men of This Land Themenofthislandareafraidofwomen theyalwayshavebeen, sincethebeginningofthestory.
Afatherfearshisdaughter’slove, abrotherfearshissister’srebellion, andahusbandfearshiswife’sdeparture.
Today,allthesemenfearmyvoice, theyfearmypoetry, theyfearmygaze, theyfearmywalk.
Themenhere even fearthesoundofmyheels.
Andthisfear theyshowit byrestrictingme.
Themoretheyfear, themoretheyrestrict.
Solitude of the Hour Before Dawn Ilovethesolitudeofthehourbeforedawn. Fromthisair,fromthissilence,Idrawstrength strengthtofight, andtoliveonthisland.
Iseekthepowerofthesun. Ihaveseenthebreakingofdarkness, momentbymoment,beforethesunrise
Iwasborn
inthesolitudeofthehourbeforedawn andthroughtheseyears, itfeelsasthoughIambornagaineachday.
Fragmentsofmysoularereborn, piecesoffemininepower, powerlikethesun.
Believe Me, I Am Tired Believeme,Iamtired Thesoundisthesoundofbirdsflying Migratingbirds fromacoldland!
Believeme, Ihavecriedsomuch
Iwokeupwithtears, Ifellasleepwithtears
Iamtired ofthishouse,ofthissoil Iamtired!
Mylifehasbecomeadead-endalley
Ihavereachedthewall theendofthisalley
Me,andthescreamsburiedinmythroat Me,andthisbittersilence!
Now Ihavenotearsleft
Believeme,Ionlywantedasafeshouldertorestmyheadon
Iamtired
Thisisme,andthisdead-endalley!
Andaskyfullofmigratingbirds! Me,andthelongingforashoulderthatisn’tthere!
Andtearsthatarenomore
Onealley–onewall! Andthesoundofmigratingbirdsinflight
The Daughter of the Middle East WhatIhaveinherited fromthewomenofmyland isthemodestyandtheforcedsilenceoftoday but theseburiedcriesinsidemychest willonedayriseagainstallthisinjustice
IamthedaughteroftheMiddleEast, whohasinheritedherbeautyfromthissoil, andherprideandstrength fromthemountainsofherhomeland!
Ihaveinheriteduprising sothatoneday Imayflyfreely!
Stone of the Prison God,thehouseisnolongerahome Ithasbecomeaprison Only
ThesewindowsconnectmetoYou
Ilookattheblacksky ToseeYou
WhereareYou? Youarenothere IcannotseeYou
DoYounotseemeeither?!
DidYounotseethetearsofmyprayers? Whatsinhavewecommitted?
God, Youknow Ihavenomorewishes
Ihavebecomeahard,silent,wordlessstone Ionlywatchtheworld
Willtherebeafuture? Youdon’tknow?
Wewillnotbeinthefuture,Iknow!
God, Inthiscursedland Letnogirlbeborn–please!
Withadarkandchaoticfate!
God,Youknow IamcomplainingtoYou
Weneverhadalife
Wenevertrulylived….
DoYouknowhowuglytheworldis?
Peoplearefrightening
Amongallthebadnewsintheworld
Wearelost–Fadingslowlyuntilwearenomore!
Eventheothersideoftheworldknowshowharditistobehuman God,mywoundsstillhurt
WearethewoundedgenerationthatbelongsnowhereinYourworld!
God, Lookatme
Ihaveacceptedmytoday
Listentome
Inthisland,letnogirlbeborn–please
Forourexistencemakesnodifferencetotheworld Itseems
ItmakesnodifferencetoYoueither!
God, Lookatme
Iwish
Youcouldperformmiracleslikeinthepast
Whenthesilentgirlsofthisland Wereunjustly Preventedfromliving
God,Youwouldhavedestroyed Thewallsoftheprisons Or Aprophetwouldcome Tosaveus Or Astormwouldcome!Anddestroythem.
Wehavebecomestones–Andweareslowlydying!
Wedie Andonedaywewillbecomethestoneofthisprisonwall Thestoneofthiswall Thestoneofthisprison!
Peace!? Peace whatabeautifulyetuntouchableword Forme,whowasborninwarandbreathesinwar, foruswhohaveheardthesoundofexplosionslouderthananyoneelse, peaceappearsonlyinthecalmsleepofasinglenight, intheshortsmileofourchild, onoursmalldinnertable.
Peaceisabeautifulword,yetithasbecomeanunreachabledream IwonderhowGodcanseeallthisevilandstillremainsilent!
Butwar warisnotjustaword. Itisanendless,painful,terrifyingnovelfilledwithdarkchapters.
Warwoundseveryone ourbodies,ourhearts,andoursouls.
Weonlywish thatoneday,allhumanity, beyondraceandreligion, maytrulytouchpeace
Sorrow Was Never Real Once,nottoolongago, IwenttothelandofIndia
Adaywhenitwasjustmeandathousandandonequestions aboutlife, aboutmymission, aboutGod,
andtheaccumulatedsorrowsinmyheart!
IsawahomelessIndianboy,aroughsleeper, andhewashappy, becauseofthegovernmentwater thathadcometowatertheparktrees!
Hewashedhimselfwithgreatpleasure, andhewasjoyfulforthewaterthathadbeenprovided, forthisverymoment, forthelifethatwasreal.
Awomaninanorangesari, shewasamotherbesidehim, withhertiredshoulders,alone, andafatherwhowasnotthereinthatmoment, andperhapsneverhadbeen.
Therewasnofather, nohome,
yettheboydancedtomusicthatwasn’tthere, laughedatjoythatwasn’tthere.
Itwasasifhewantedtoprovetotheworld, tome, topeople, thatsorrowwasneverreal.
Hislaughterforme wastheanswertomyendlessquestions.
Yes, sorrowwasneverreal.
Alloflife means dancingwithjoy withoutanymusic!
Themeaningoftruehappiness wasonlyinthedeeplaughterofthischild.
Godwasthere, itseemed, andHelovedthechild,apparently.
Last Nights of Summer Theskyisfullofstarsthatsecretlywinkatus,andthemoonisfulland beautiful
Inthissilence,inthisbeautifulnight, Ijustwantthisverymomenttostop, andIwanttolookatallthisbeautyoftheskywithafullheart
Howbeautifulitis
Thesecalmnightsarethelastnightsofthissummer!
AndIcountformyselfthethingsthatarevaluabletomeandthatIlove, likeyou-likethesenights-likemychildren!
Mychildrenaresittingandentertainingthemselveswiththecrumpled papersofmywritings Icallthem
Iplaywiththepapers, andImakeorigamiforthem aboat,aplane,andapapersaltshaker. Theylaugh,getexcited,andkissmewithjoy. Ilookattheskyanditsstars, andIremembermychildhood whenIhadlearnedthesepapergamesfrommyfather
Iusedtogetexcitedandhappy, butIdidnotkisshim Iwasshy
Thenightskyisalwaysbeautiful. Childhoodisbeautiful,too, justlikethisstarrynight
Fullofpureandhonestfeelingsandexcitement
Papergamesarebeautifultooandnevergetold.
Itisoneofthelastcalmnightsofsummer! Sometimeswemustmakepaperboatsandplanes, soourhandscantouchthepaper, touchlife
andlaughlikechildren-andbehappy!
Andif
andifourfatherisstillthere,weshouldkisshisface, withoutfeelingshyanymore!!
Lookatthesky-atthestarsthatarewinking! Andthenwetoocansecretlywinkatthestars!
I Wanted Kabul LastnightIdreamedIenteredtheparadiseofGod
Afamiliarvoiceasked: “Ask!Whateveryouwant Tellme,whatdoyoudesire?”
Ilookedatparadise! Lushandfullofpeace! Asceneofdreams.
Somethingwasburninginsideme Deep,deepinmyheart
Intherootsofmyidentity, inmyverybones
Ilookedatmywoundedhands, atthesmellofbloodonthem, andattheclothesonmybody coveredinthesmokeofanexplosion, settledlikeapermanentperfume, andthisbodyofmine stillsmelledoftheMiddleEast!
Thesmellofwar, thesmellofblooddrippingonthecobblestonestreets, thesmellofthicksmokefromanexplosion, thesmellofkilling.
Thevoiceaskedagain: “Whatdoyouwant?”
lookedback,asastranger. Iwantedneithertheearthnorthesky norapalace,norwater,norapieceofbread notevenGod’sparadise. Ididnotwantthem.
IwantedKabul
Theever-desirablecity Iwantedmycityandabreathoffreedom! Iwantedthatplace,andmysoil TheMiddleEast
I Do Not Want My Daughter to Be Me Thisstorymustbetold. Ilookatmydaughter, Idonotwanthertobecomeme
WhenIreachtheendoftheroad, Iwanttoturnmyface, Lettherebelight Lettherebeanotherpath, Acolorotherthanblack!
Ihavereachedtheendoftheroad Ilookatmydaughter, Idonotwanthertobecomeme.
WhenIreachtheendoftheroad, itisthemelodioussoundofmybangles thatmakesmefeelbetter…
Iremainsilent! Ipickupthehenna anddrawobscurepatternsonmyhands thathavenomeaning
Ilovethesoundofmybangles, Ilovehenna
Thisstorymustbetold! Thewomanofthislandhasreachedtheendoftheroad Sheisalone, tiredofthissadstory
Shehasalwaysbeenunderrestrictions, buriedunderlimitations, andstrugglestobreathe.
Shestruggled inchildhoodforjustonetimerunninginthestreet, inadolescence tohavecolorfulbangles
She,whoistheentirestory, athousandmeaningsinoneword.
Shehaskissedherbanglesmanytimes, shehaskissedthelimitations shehaskissedherwishes
Thisstorymustbetold.
Thiswoman, inthedarkdayswhenshedidembroidery secretlyreadthepoemsofRumiandHafez Shereadbooks!
Whenthesoundofthesewingmachine wastheonlythingbreakingthesilenceoftheroom, atthatmoment
shebecameavoicewithallherbeing. Shesangandcried Shesangasorrowfulsong.
Thewomanofthisland hasbecomethatplantwhich,whenitsprouted,wascut; never never allowedtogrow
Theydidnotallow, theygavenotime.
Buriedunderdarksoil, andshebuiltalife
She,evenunderthesoil, hasrootedasmuchasshecould, andhasbecomeastrongroot!
Thisstorymustbetold… Idonotwantmydaughtertobecomeme.
BecauseIam thatrootunderthesoil, Ihavesufferedforeverymomentofbeing.
Itisdarkhere Iamneitherseen norcanIbeseen
Andthisstorymustbetold Thestoryofthesorrowsofthewomenofthisland.
Thestoryofherandherbangles, Thestoryofherandthehennaonherhands.
Herstory, thewomanofthisland, whorockedherdaughter’scradle withsecretsongs, andneverwants herdaughter tobelikeher
Friday Sunsets Mydaughteraskedme,hesitantly,why?
Ilookedather andIsawmyheartbecomeentirelyaquestion.
IlookattheQuraninherhand,andathereyes whicharestillthat samewhy!
Itissunset
Mymotherusedtomaketeaandsweetsintheevenings, andIremember thatpoorwomantried,withhertiredhandsundertheroofofthathouse, tobuildafamily withafatherwhowaspresentonedayandabsentthenext
TodayisFriday,andthesunsetissorrowful
Mydaughterlooksatme andIlookatthenovelinmyhandandtheQuraninhers
Mymotherwasareligiouswoman shehadmemorizedchaptersoftheQuran
Withallherefforts,andbyscaringmewiththetormentofHell, InevermemorizedtheQuran.
Ilovedmynovels
Today,onthisFridaywithadeeplysorrowfulsunset IamreadingtheQuranalongsidemydaughter, memorizingitsverses, becausetheQuranschoolhasmadeitmandatoryforher
Shereads,andIread. Shememorizes,andImemorize. Sherepeats,andIrepeat.
IhaveneverfearedthetormentofHell, andIhaveneverlikedtofear…
Ihaveneverlikedsunsets. Thesunsetisending, andIhaveneverlikedFridayseither.
Ihaveneverliked mydoubts,myunansweredquestions…
Ihaveneverliked thissilence, thislackofanswertomydaughter
Sunsetsarealwayssorrowful, andFridaysunsetsarethemostsorrowfulofall!
Ilovemybooks, mypoems mydaughter Ilove
Ilovemymother, herbittergreentea herhands,alwaysholdingtheQuran
Playing with Words Itisdarkhere, andunderthecandlelight, Ilovetoplaywithwords tolikenmyjoytothemorningbreeze, mysorrowtothatdarkandsilentmomentofmidnight, whenIwakeuptofindastarinthedeepdarknessofthesky, tofindhope, And freedom.
WhenIreachfreedom, Ilosewords,itseems
Icannotfindasingleword todescribeit.
Freedomhasbecomeavagueword, ithasbecomethatunsolvablehouseinthepuzzle,
inthatoldnewspaper,yearsago…
AndIamthathappychild dancingundertherain
whoisfree, whoisjoyful.
ItseemsevenGodissmilingatme Ilovetoplaywithwords,
Iwantfreedom.
Godknows Thishasbecomemywish,andforitscomparison, thereisnoword
Theworldisdark, andmywishes arealllight, stars, andbrightness.
A Chapter in History Whentheskyisangry, wind,rain,andhailarealltogether, andaterrifyingsoundcomesfromthesky lightning!
Andunconsciously,Inoticethewindowsandlookatthesky Thisisacitywhereweare thedryleavesofthetreesoflife
God!Howinnocent,pure,anddefenselessweare
Itellmyselfandthousandsofwomenlikeme: Oyouwhostillbreathe inthiscoldcity, believeme, onedayagain,inthestreetsofKabul, wewillwalksmiling,
Althoughtodaywehavebecomevictimsofunknowngames, but Iswearbythesky, bytherain, bythisverypainfulmoment:
Wehavebecomeageneration thatinthefuture willbeachapterinthehistorybook ofallschools.
Believe, endure, wipeyourtears
Wewillbethechapterofabook thatthousandsofstudents, hundredsofquestions aboutuswillasktheirhistoryteacher, andtheywillfindnoanswer noonewillhaveananswer.
The City Without Oxygen Theyclosedtheschools, andeveryonewentsilent Thisisthecity wheregirls nolongerhaveheroicfathers.
Whennightfalls, Ifeelthecityrunsoutofoxygen!
Ilookatthesky darknessandblackness. Howloudlywehavescreamedinsilence Howmanytearswehaveswallowed
Ourhopehasdied,hasn’tit? Look, here
Whenit’sfiveinthemorning, noalarmtellsyoutowakeup, because bysix, nogirlgoestoschoolanymore.
Theyclosedtheschools. Thealleysareempty ofyourlaughter
Ourhopehasdied andthisishow theoxygenofthecityrunsout.
It’snight, blackanddark, andI,too, amblackanddark Andthepaininmyheart neverheals.
Untiltheday whenthefather ofeverygirl becomestheheroofherstoryagain.
Children of War Also Smile Arainyandcoldnight,Iwasborninthelandofmigration.
I,whowasmymother’sunansweredprayer, forshewantedason.
AndifIhadbeenaboy,thestorywouldhavebeendifferent
Foryears,mybirthdaywasasorrowcondensedinthissentence: “IwishIwereaboy”
Ispenttheharddaysofmyadolescencewiththiswish, andIhatedmyselfandmybeingagirl…
Later,Ibecameresentfulofmymother… You,whohadnoidentity, you,whowerearefugee, whydidyoumarry? Why,amidallthiswarandmisery, didyoudecidetohaveachild
Mymotherdidnotanswer AndIlistenedtothenewsofwar
Myfamilyweredisplacedbywar, andI,morethananyoneelse, smelledthekillingofinnocentpeopleeveryday
Eachyearpassed, andIbegantoacceptmyself Achildofwar, agirl, arefugee
Ifollowedthenewsofwarwiththesameeagernessmyfatheroncehad
Ihadalreadyacceptedmyself, mybeingagirl,andmydelicatefeminineidentity… myuniqueness
Today,Icelebratemybirthday bywritingpoetry
Byrepeatingthesesentences, withthesesamefeelings!
Lettheworldknow thatchildrenofwaralsolaugh, childrenofwaralsohavedreams, childrenofwaralsoplay, andchildrenofwaralsolive
Childrenofwar,evenbehindthedestructiveflamesofconflict, seeaspark, fromasmallcandleofwishesonabirthdaycake! Apapercake,coloredwithsmokeandashes.
Youknow,maybe refugeesofwarfallinlove, mayberefugeesofwarevensmile.
Maybesomeonewhohasseenwar, whohasheardthesoundsofexplosions
Wants,amidallthischaos, toclosetheireyes,sing,anddance,
Andonedaymakeawishfortheendofwar, andthenblowoutthesmallcandle onanimaginarycake withasmile
Theonewhohaswitnessedwar followsthenewsofwareveryday, andamidallthisblacknews, writesawhitepoem forthatlittlegirlbehindtheheadlines, who cannothelpbutcry
Icelebratemybirthday byrepeatingthissentence that childrenofwarsometimessmile!
Tonight, It Rains Heavily Tonight,itrainsheavily. Thedinnerclothisspread, butnooneiseating.
Thesound it’sZahra’sscream! Eachofhercries shakestheentireblocklikethunder.
Butnoonehasthecourage toknockonthedoor andtellherhusband: Stop!
Thiswomanhasasoultoo. Howisshestillalive? Ihearthecriesofherdaughters. Istandup butno… Icannotgo.
Thereisnopolicehere tocallforhelp. ThisistheCityofLawlessness. Wehavenolaw… Zahrasdiehereeverynight.
Zahraisstillscreaming, andonenight, shewilldiequietly, amidherunansweredcries.
She thewomanwhoalwayshid thebruisesbeneathhereyes withthecornerofherscarf andabitter,coldsmile fromtheeyesoftheneighbors.
Tonight,itrainsheavily. ThisistheCityofLawlessness. Andsomewhereinthiscity, aZahrahasslowlyfadedaway amidherscreams
becausetonight, itrainsheavily.
God, I Am Tired God,Iamtired likethatlonelydove sittingonthecornerofthewall, wandering, lookinghereandthere.
God,Iamtired justlikethatfrozenkite caughtamongthebranches oftheoldtreeinthealley, sadandlifeless, thinkingofthebeautifuldays whenitonceflewhighinthesky.
God,Iamtired likethatweakvine inthecornerofthewall, bareandleafless.
God,Iamtired justlikethefadedgate oftheoldwoman’shousenextdoor, whichhasn’topenedtojoy formany,manyyears.
God,Iamtired likethehandsofthatoldman fulloffirewood, slowlypassingthroughthealley, wishinghecouldstoprightthere, forhishands cancarrynomore.
God,Iamtired likethelittlegirlnextdoor,
runningwithheremptywaterbarrel, herhairmessy, she’scold, andshehasfoundnowater…
God,Iamtired likemyself, lostamongthechapters ofanunfamiliarbook, notknowing fromwhichpageorline Ishouldbegin.
ButIknow, withinmytiredness, thereisalightfromYou. Iamlost, butaforceinsideme callsmetowardanotherpage anewbeginning, andapreface toakindandhopefulchapter.
Before the Sunrise Iwakeupinthemornings beforethesunrise notbecauseIwanttoseethesunrise Iwouldliketoseeit, butthereisnowindowhere. Here, somehouses donothaveawindowfacingthesunrise, andneitherdoesmine
Youknow, here, whenitrains, somehouses leakthroughtheroof
Somehouses havenothadastoryforyears; theirsilenceisheavy asilencethathastakentheplace oflostlaughter, thewholeheartedlaughter thatdisappearedinthedarknessofanightyearsago.
Somehouses donothavethemusicoflife, nomelody,nohopetoplay. Somehouses havenosongofjoy!
Exceptfortheechoofhope thatstillbeats inthegrayheartofthesehouses.
Iwakeupinthemorningsbeforethesunrise tofeel,witheverycellinmybody, thedeathofthenight, tocountthelastsecondsofdarkness.
Iwant, oneday,witheverycellinmybody,
towatchthelastdaysofpower ofthesesellersofreligion, tosmellthefragranceoffreedomagain. Youknow, here,somehouses donothavebreadontheirtables, andthewomaninthathouse hasnoanswertoherchild’squestions.
Iwakeupinthemorningsbeforethesunrise andfromthesmallwindow ofmyroom, whichdoesnotfaceasunrise, Iwatchthedeathofthenight and waitfortheday whenIwillnotonlywatchtheendofnight, butcelebrateit.
Andwaitforasunrise thatmaybeginfromthisverysmallwindow asunriseIhavewaitedforyearsfor, tobreatheintomybones, toflowthroughmyveins, sothatfromeverybeatofmyheart, alifemayemerge!
Henna and Silence WeplacedhennaonSetara’shands, andwithdrumbeats,dance,andlaughter, weshedtearstobidfarewelltoherjourneyweknowhasnoreturn.
Setaraisleavingtostayalive. Wehavebecomecellmatesinoneprison, whereourfriendhasreceivedherrelease.
Shewillbefree,andwewillremain withthepainofcruelaimlessness.
Shegoes.
Wesendheroffwithhenna, sothatthemarkoffriendshipmaystayuponherhands.
Inthedeepestdarknessofourtime, weplaywiththeredcolorofhenna, coloringourhands sothatblacknesswillnotprevail.
IfIamgonetomorrow, knowfromthestainofhennaonmyhands thatItriedtolive, tofight, toresist.
Setarawipesawayhertears, andthesetearsmakeherabsenceharderforus.
Ilookatthecorneroftheroom atoursmalldrum, sittingsilent.
Perhapsthissilenceholdsafaint,fading,yetlivinghopewithinit.
A Night of Snow and Prayer Itisnight,andsnowisfalling. Thereisme,andthesilenceofthelastmomentsofthenight, andGod, andprayer!
Andmylittledaughter, who,withsuchtrustinme,islostinhersleep! Howbeautifullyshesmilesinherdreams,asifsheseesthesnow!
Idonotwantthemorningtocome
Mornings
ononeside,therearemychildrenandme, andthewarmbreadandsweetgreentea! Ontheotherside,thereisthenews sobitter,socold,soheavy!
Idonotwantthemorningtocome, forIamafraidofthemorningsofKabul!
Ononeside,therearemeandahundredlawsagainstme, andontheother,thehopeful,pleadingeyesofmydaughter!
Itisnight,andsnowisfalling, andIamhere,inthesilenceofthelastmomentsofthenight, withGod, andprayer!
Andtheinnocenceofmydaughter thethoughtofhertomorrowbreaksthebonesofmybody, andIhearthesoundofmybonesbreaking! Iamafraid,andasaltytear putsanendtothisthought.
Iclosemyeyes hopingforanight, asnowynight, whereIstillexist, waitingwithagreenhope forthearrivalofabeautiful,whitemorning!
Sothatwithmydaughter, smiling,wecanwalkinthesnow-coveredstreets, toleaveourfootprintsbehind!
Inthemiddleofthewhitecity,wewilldanceandtouchthesnow! Wewillholdthesnowinourhandsuntil ourhandsbecomenumbwithcold butmydaughter willscreamwithjoy!
AndI willwatchherdeeply, because howgreenandwhite, howbeautifullyanswered wasmyprayer! Inthatnight,inthatsnowfall!
The Beauty of Night Thenightcanbebeautifulifyoucanstepoutsidethehouse.
Nightswillalsobebeautifulifthestarsdonothidebehindthickclouds.
Atnight,allfacesarebeautifulandkind underthemoonlight. Youcannotknowwhoistrulyhappy,whoistrulysad.
Thenightisbeautifulintheimagewhereagirl,withoutfearofpassersby, sellsballoons colorfulballoonswhosecolorsperhapscannotbedistinguished. Theshadowoftheballoons, theshadowofthegirl, yourshadow allareblack. Thenightisblack, andtheballoonsarecolorful!
Amanwithlong,messyhair,inanothercornerofthisscene, holdsaguitarandplays. Oneofthoseinstrumentsthattouchtheheart. Hiseyesareclosed perhapsheseesamemorywedonotsee! Hisinstrument isbothhappyandsad! Itistheinstrumentofthenight.
Thenightcanbebeautifulifyoucanstepoutsidethehouse!
Women of My Land Itakeprideinthewomenofmyland,thebravemothersofthissoil. Iseewomenwhohavetorntheveilofcaptivity,andtheselionessesarethe mothersofdaughterswhosecriesofjoywillonedayshaketheMiddle East.
Itakeprideinthecourageousmothersofthisland,whoIseesecretly steppingoutsidethehousewithtremblingsteps.
Themosqueloudspeakersroar,awomanwholeavesthehousewithout herhusband’spermission herstepsleadtowardhell.Theyhear,butthey nolongerfearhell,northeloudspeakersofthemosque,northehusbands whoclaimpermission!
Itakeprideinthebravewomenofmylandwhobecamemothersin childhoodandtodayarestrong,beautifulwomen,guardiansofthedoeeyedgirls.
Eveniftheyarenotallowedtoworkorstudy,theyarenotconfinedtothe cornersoftheirhomes.Theycomeout,sometimeswithtremblingsteps, sometimeswithfirmones,withshiningeyes!
Secretly,theywalkthroughalleysandstreets,andthesoundoftheir laughteristheonlymelodiousinstrumentofthecity
Stormy Weather and Silent Cries Theweatherisstormy, andthereisacoldsilence.
Here,women donotsmoke,donotlaugh theydrinkgreenteaandsometimesbittercoffee theyrecitepoetry,theybakebread!
Theweatherisstormy,andthereisacoldsilence.
Here, ouryoungdaughterssecretlyselltheirhair, theynolongerapplyhennatotheirhands, theyhavenocolorfulbangles nostorybooks atnighttheycomposepoetry!
Theweatherisstormy, andthecoldsilenceisthepreludetoacry thatnoonedarestohear!
Awake in the Night of Kabul Itisnight,andtheskyhasastrangefeeling astrangefeeling, likeKabul: silent,alone,andafraid.
Itisnight,and thepeopleofthecityseemtobeasleep, andhereIam, lookingatawoman whohaswokenuptocountthestars, throughherflowingtears,swearsGod tolookuponher.
Elsewhere,itseems anotherwomanhasnotslepteither.
God,doyousee?
Ineverycornerofthecity, awomanisawake. Theskyisawake,
City of Dreams and Silence Thisisacity
Wherebeautifulwomenlive.
Womenwho,everynight, Aredeclared
BytheMullahofthemosque, Rightafterhisprayer Tobethefirewoodofhell.
Thisisacity
FullofTaliban Andmenwithguns, Theirfacescovered, Andchildren Whostillmanagetosmile.
Thisisacity
Fullofnoise, Wherejoyfulwordslosetheirmeaning. Women,veiledinforcedblack, Givelifeitscolor
Withthepurpleoftheirnailpolish.
Thisisacity
Wheregirlsimprisonedintheirownhomes Adorneachother’shandswithhenna Andsendtheirpain Totheseventhsky ToGod.
Here, Isacityofstories
Storiesofgirls
Whotouchthestarseverynight, Thoughtheyhavenowings. Theyaretrappedinhomes Thatnolongerechosongs, Holdnojoy, Andhavenobread.
Thisisacity Wherewomenhaveallbecometeachers. Everyday, Theyteachtheirdaughterstosmile Sotheycanrewrite
Theirowndestinies Fromthebeginning
Asilentcity, Fullofpain, Wherewomenraisedaughters Whooneday Willplayfootball, Runinthestreets, Laugh, Dance, Andgentlytouch Theroughskinofoldtrees.
Thisisacitywheredarknesscontinues, Andwomen
Sellwalnuts Tobuyabottleofperfume
Andafewbooksofpoetry
Everywhereisquiet, Andeverygirlinthiscity Carriesadream Adreamgreaterthanthiscity
Adream
Thatspringwillreturn, Thattheywilllinetheireyeswithkohl, Andthentogether Theywillsing Withdrums, Andthemusicofcolorfulbangles.
Thisisacitybornofpain, Ofmothers
Whowillonedaybecome
Apageinhistorybooks Alessontaughtineveryschool.
Womenwhostill, Inthedarkoftheirbasements, Remainfaithfultotheirmission Toteachtheirdaughters Guitar Andchess.
Andlettheseyellowflowers Inthelittlepotbehindthewindow Bethewitness
Lettheworldbethewitness
Thatoneday, Thesedaughters Willbuildschools, Andreturntothem Theywillgoback Toschoolagain.
DR ARIEL ROSITA KING MPH,
MBA, PHD (UK), DTM&H, PHD (FRANCE) FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT ARIEL FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL & DR. KING SOLUTIONS "Empowerment is not about giving power but about releasing the power they already have."
This quote embodies the spirit of Dr. Ariel Rosita King's work in fostering empowerment and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive Dr King's dedication to empowering children and youth, fostering their active involvement in international decision-making processes, has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim
As the Founder and President of Ariel Foundation International, a non-profit organization founded in 2002, holding special consultative ECOSOC Status with the United Nations (2016) and NGO Status at the European Parliament (2015). Registered in the USA, France, Switzerland, and Ghana. Dr. King has made a significant impact on the lives of youth across 30+ countries. With a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service, AFI has impacted approximately 150,000 young individuals
Notably, Ariel Foundation International made history by accrediting children and youth as official Delegates to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva Through her foundation, Dr King has promoted partnerships, peace, and prosperity through entrepreneurship and education
Dr Ariel Rosita King is an accomplished individual with an extensive background in international health, public health policy, and international management With over 35 years of experience in government, diplomacy, business, and NGOs, she has worked and lived in 11
countries and travelled to over 65 countries across Asia, Africa, Americas, Middle East, and Europe. As a Professor in International Health, Management, Policy, and Environment, she has shared her knowledge and expertise at various universities in the USA, Europe, and Africa.
Dr King's contributions extend beyond her work with Ariel Foundation international She was chosen to be on the Expert AIDS Prevention working Group with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (USA) and the Human Science Research Council (South Africa) Additionally, In 2000, Dr King established Ariel Consulting International, Inc , now known as Dr King Solutions (www drkingsolutions com), a company focused on enhancing Public-Private Partnerships in international health, policy, and management specifically in developing countries Her commitment to promoting collaboration and sustainable development has led to the successful implementation of strategic planning initiatives, workshops, coaching, and keynote speeches aimed at empowering individuals and organizations.
Notably, Dr. King is a strong advocate for professional development. Her offerings include comprehensive training programs such as Strategic Planning for International Business Development, Public-Private Partnerships, European and African University Degrees without debt, Ivy League Training without debt, and guidance on starting not-for-profit organizations and international businesses.
Dr King's dedication to promoting positive change on a global scale has also led her to engage with various international organizations She assists businesses in obtaining Special ECOSOC Status with the United Nations, promotes alliances within the international NGO arena, and encourages business engagements with NGOs and Community-Based Organizations Beyond her remarkable achievements, Dr King remains committed to environmental sustainability Through her latest venture, Dr King Solutions, she provides eco-friendly bags that combat plastic pollution Every purchase contributes to the fight against plastic pollution and supports the Ariel Foundation International's vital work in children and youth development through research and environmental climate services.
Dr King's commitment to advocating for Children's Human Rights worldwide led her to establish the Ariana-Leilani Children's Foundation International in 2008 By founding this organization, she aimed to educate and advocate for the rights of children globally, emphasizing the importance of their well-being.
A testament to Dr. King's impact is her most recent work, the book titled 'Humanity Unveiled.' This profound and enlightening journey invites leaders and seekers beyond the ordinary, guiding them to uncover the essence of humanity and its transformative power in shaping a more compassionate world. Through intimate encounters with luminaries such as Dr. Maya Angelou, Dr. Nina Simone, President Nelson Mandela, and Dr Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Dr King weaves a rich fabric of insight and enlightenment These encounters serve as poignant lessons, revealing the profound impact each human connection can have on our collective understanding of what it truly means to be human 'Humanity Unveiled' is not merely a book; it is a transformative journey that calls upon leaders and dreamers to embrace their humanity and contribute to the evolution towards a more compassionate and connected world Dr Ariel King's profound insights resonate with readers, sparking a renewed sense of purpose and a profound appreciation for the human experience
Dr. King's influence extends beyond her foundation and book. She has served as a representative for various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the United Nations in Geneva, Vienna, and New York. She has also been an active member of organizations such as Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG), and various International Rotary Clubs. Dr. Ariel King's lifetime commitment to empowering children and youth, promoting international health, advocating for Children's Human Rights, and fostering publicprivate partnerships has made a remarkable impact on communities worldwide. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication to making a difference position her as an influential woman deserving of recognition Dr Ariel King is a true champion and inspiration, embodying the spirit of empowerment and the pursuit of a more compassionate world Her Favorite quote by Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, then when?" reflects her belief in taking action and bearing personal responsibility
She has embraced the missing piece in this quote, realizing the importance of asking, "If not me, then who?" Through her remarkable journey, she has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, shining light on the power of empowerment and the significance of making a difference in the lives of others.
SIR MOSES EKWERE EXECUTIVE AIDE TO DR ARIEL ROSITA KING DIRECTOR, AFRICA REGION & PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, VIENNA & NAIROBI
Moses Ekwere is a distinguished global leader, environmentalist, and youth advocate whose work spans continents bridging local action with international diplomacy A 2022 recipient of the AFI Hillel Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership, he embodies excellence, integrity, and service through decades of impact-driven initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As Country Director for the Africa Region and Permanent Representative of Ariel Foundation International to the United Nations in Geneva, Moses has spearheaded transformative programs of global relevance He coordinated the Jamestown Seaside Clean-Up Initiative in Accra, Ghana, during the 2024 Global Youth Service Day, mobilizing over 100 youth volunteers, in partnership with Ecozoil Waste
Management Company, to remove nearly two tons of plastic waste while advancing community education and waste audits
Under his leadership, the Ariel Foundation International Malaria Elimination and Public Health Education Campaign reached over 1,000 families, providing treated mosquito nets and preventive health education delivered in indigenous languages, strengthening community wellbeing, cultural identity, and sustainable health practices.
He also championed “Voices for Earth:
Youth-led Advocacy Summit to End Plastic Pollution” for World Environment Day 2025, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain and under the UNEP global campaign, amplifying youth voices in climate diplomacy and supporting progress toward a Global Plastics Treaty.
Globally recognized for his diplomatic acumen and commitment to intergenerational collaboration, Moses also leads the Roots of Resilience Project, which aims to plant one million fruit trees and establish school botanical gardens across Africa to advance climate education and environmental literacy. The initiative integrates STEM education and clean energy advocacy, empowering young innovators for a sustainable future
A graduate of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, with a BBA in Human Resource Management, Moses Ekwere embodies visionary leadership rooted in service, integrity, and transformation He envisions a world where youth leadership becomes the driving force for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, inspiring action that transcends borders, cultures, and generations
BECOME A GLOBAL HUMANITY & DIPLOMACY FELLOW
GLOBAL HUMANITY AND DIPLOMACY FELLOWSHIP THE GLOBAL HUMANITY & DIPLOMACY FELLOWSHIP IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM OF ARIEL FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH DR KING SOLUTIONS, DESIGNED TO EQUIP EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED LEADERS WITH GLOBAL NETWORKS, MULTILATERAL EXPERIENCE, MENTORSHIP, AND THE SKILLS TO CREATE LASTING HUMANITARIAN IMPACT
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