Afghan Canadians are afraid of family in Kabul: “This is heartbreaking”

An Edmonton woman is reflecting on the life path she will never obtain if she stays in Afghanistan.

Marghalara Rashid has a doctorate in medicine and is an award-winning and versatile researcher.

A research assistant at the University of Alberta said that her current life can easily slip away from her.

“[The situation many people are facing…] That must be me. That may be one of my sisters. We may live that kind of repressive life. “

Rashid said that seeing the picture of the current crisis in Afghanistan is still shocking and surreal, especially in Kabul, where she grew up.

“My parents are both professors at Kabul University. We grew up on campus.

“I have amazing and fond memories of Afghanistan.”

Rashid and her family left the country in 2004 and immigrated to Canada.

“We came when the Taliban were in power-this is the main concern of my parents. They want us to go out and make sure we can get an education.”

She and her family returned to Kabul, and they are in an increasingly dangerous situation. Rashid said many people are hiding or fleeing the country desperately.

“They have no voice anymore. I am very scared for them.

“It’s disturbing. It’s heartbreaking to see us going back to the dark ages. It’s a matter of life and death.”

2:21Afghans in exile: Canadian families worry about relatives under Taliban rule

Rashid has been paying close attention to federal aid. She said that as the violence in Kabul intensifies, she hopes the government can help more people.

“I really want people to know that we can’t close the door to these people,” she said.

“When I was a little girl, I always knew that Canada was a peacekeeping country.

“Let us give these people a chance. They want Canadians to have an open mind and support them.”

The Afghan Canadian said she felt that people living under the Taliban were stigmatized. Rashid emphasized that no one wants to be oppressed.

“This is not what they want. This is imposed on them. This is imposed on them. They have no choice.”

1:34Trudeau: Canada doubles its rescue efforts in Afghanistan

Although the voices of family and friends were deprived, Rashid said she would not be quiet.

“There are young girls in Afghanistan, just like me, waiting for opportunities to change their lives.”

There will be a rally in the Alberta Legislature on Saturday to show support for those experiencing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

0:30Afghanistan crisis: Canada will continue to evacuate until it is no longer safe, Minister Mendicino said