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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
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.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.