Tamina Fahkri

I was born in Afghanistan 1982 during that time we were in the war with Russia. My father was a freedom fighter (mujahadeen).  I was 6 months old when my parents decided to leave the country.  It was not safe and people were dying.  I never experienced war first hand and I am grateful, but my brothers and sisters saw the horrors of war first hand. 

We were smuggled out of Afghanistan to Pakistan.   Mom smuggled jewelry and other items.  If we had been caught, we would have been killed.  We arrived in Pakistan and entered a refugee camp and we had nothing.   We were in the camp for about 6-8 months. Throughout the seven (7) years in Pakistan, my father would return to Afghanistan to fight for the people. 

Since September 11, my parents push me to voice my opinions about Afghanistan and not to let the media speak for my people.  Afghanistan is an incredible country and they are survivors.  They have the mentality to survive through anything.  I commend them.  It takes a lot of strength for women to survive and you must be stable and strong.   As I look at the strength of my people, it gives me more strength.  Seeing my people survive without anything, and not taking things for granted, is as much a reality in my face.   My people are dying to get an education.

My parents are “angels on Earth” and they risked their lives to take us out.  My parents are phenomenal and they do things out of the ordinary.  I don’t how they can have the ability to be so strong and strong-willed. They tell me never forget who I am and not to forget where I came from.   I have a high respect for my country, culture and parents who told me to walk with my head high.  They are “incredible” people.  They are “movie stars” and they are “heroes” in my life and they have inspired me to go out and do something, to make a difference. 

I am a Moslem. I want to show the world that we are here and we are survivors. We should all take in to consideration how other people live and learn from that.  It takes a little to make so much.  If we experience the lives that others are living, we can and will open our eyes to the world.  They are most loving, gentle, kind people in whom you could ever meet. 

I want to give back to my country and to help my people, because it is important to take back what I have learned and pass it on. I was born in, and from a war-torn country.  I want to return. I want to touch the ground and know this were I was born, to smell the air and to view the countryside.  I want to go back to my birthplace.

Tahmina is currently a student at Highline Community College and was recently a student speaker at our annual Martin Luther King Jr’s. Week celebration.