Calgary-based refugees look back at Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
It’s been one year since the Taliban took over the Afghan capital of Kabul, seizing control from a government that was widely acknowledged around the world.
The takeover led to many westernized countries such as Canada to bring in Afghan refugees and resettle them, out of fears of persecution, especially women and girls.
Freshta Aslamzada, 25, is a former journalist in Kabul.
She resettled with her sisters and mom in Calgary last November.
Aslamzada says the last year has felt longer than it actually has, waking up Monday morning realizing it had been one year.
“My brother asked me, ‘do you remember what happened on that day last year?’ and I told him, ‘who can forget that, no one will forget that,’” she said.
Living in Calgary, Aslamzada has secured a job with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, but is hopeful to continue her passion of journalism in Canada someday.
Freshta Aslamada escaped the Taliban and says the last year has felt much longer than it was.
“It will not be easy to get used to (a) new country with new people and new areas,” she said.
“For 16 years, you studied and worked in your country and after that you left everything behind, and went in(to) a new place, it was something that hurt me.”
Aslamzada says she has four brothers still in Afghanistan and misses them every day.
The Hamdard’s came to Calgary from Albania in April.
After fleeing their home country, Robina and Mohamad Shafiq Hamdard are also settling into a new home.
Moving on Aug. 1, they say its been difficult to secure a job, but their four kids are attending school for the new year.
They say the last year has been very difficult.
“Me and my family lost everything, because we were in a good stage of our lives,” said Robina.
“I was employed by UN Women Afghanistan and my husband worked in a very good position with government, in the ministry of finance.”
Due to the nature of their jobs back home, they had many interactions with the international community and say Canada was the only place they saw themselves seeking refuge in.
“We chose Canada because of the diversity – this is so good,” said Robina.
“Canada is a diverse country, everyone can have the same equal rights.”
More than 17,300 Afghans have arrived in Canada since last August, compared to 71,800 Ukrainians who have come to Canada this year alone, according to government statistics.
The federal government has promised to resettle 40,000 Afghans.
Calgary has welcomed 3,240 Afghan refugees as of Aug. 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.