Two decades after they were driven out of the country by American forces, the Taliban violently seized control of Afghanistan in September 20201. Destruction — not just of the country, but of its people — unexpectedly struck. This shocked Afghanistan and the rest of the world as the organization swiftly expanded its power to Kabul, the capital, in just a few days. Such turmoil has managed to reach the James Logan community members and leave them with great concern and unease.
Sophomore Iman Ayubi, is one who was affected by the occupation of the Taliban. She explains how she and her family were affected by the Taliban’s occupation.
“At first, I didn’t really believe it. I didn’t think it was as bad as it was [in the past],” Ayubi said. “I thought that it [the Taliban] was from the past — that it didn’t happen anymore.”
This detrimental event evokes traumas of the past for many Afghanis in Union City and beyond.
“Now, it’s just scary,” Ayubi said. “I’ve heard firsthand what my parents and my grandparents went through when immigrating to the U.S. I just feel really bad for the people that are stuck there.”
The return of the Taliban and the broadcast of suffering from Afghanistan has left Ayubi and her family stricken with concern and anger.
Deena Ferozkhan, another sophomore at Logan, also expresses how she and her family feel about the Taliban’s takeover. She emphasizes the guilt her family feels.
“Because our family in Afghanistan is going through something that they got out of a long time ago,” Ferozkhan said. She also discusses how it feels to have a family currently stuck in Afghanistan.
“I see them [family] all there [in Afghanistan] being in so much pain and stuff, and I’m here living my life,” Ferozkhan said.
Ferozkhan talks about her cousin, Faranaz Zazai, who, along with her husband and infant, were kept in a camp in Kabul for several days without shelter or proper supplies.
Fortunately, they safely arrived in America in August.
“She feels very happy here. She said it’s very free here,” Ferozkhan says. “Because she’s able to act freely without being controlled.”
Overall, the Taliban’s occupation of Afghanistan has strongly affected the people and families of the Logan community, inflicting feelings of fear, worry, and concern among members of the community.
