“To learn more about the collective efforts that a group of Zarthostis are involved in, on behalf of 5 Afghan artists and human rights defenders, contact K. Irani at kayhan@artivista.org or 917-363-3481.”
ZYNA Resource Guide #2
Supporting Refugees: The Afghan Crisis & Our Duty as Zoroastrians
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. launched what would become the longest war in American history. The Afghanistan War spanned four U.S. presidencies and lasted two decades. On August 15, 2021, two weeks before the war was set to end when the last American troops would withdraw, the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. With the Taliban’s reacquisition of control of Afghanistan comes many global concerns on Afghans’ freedom of expression and assembly. These concerns extend to the uncertain protection of human rights of Afghanistan’s people, particularly its women and children.
As a group of Zoroastrians living in North America, with many of our community members having arrived in North America as religious refugees themselves, we have a duty to continue our engagement with our tenets of Humata, Hukhta, and Hvarshta as we communally work to support the Afghan community, both locally and globally. ZYNA has compiled the following background information and resources to spur discussion and action within the Zoroastrian community to support refugees, particularly Afghan refugees as they flee this crisis.
Did you enjoy reading this guide and would like to be part of creating the next issue? Please reach out to Bita Kavoosi at bitakavoosi@gmail.com
