ROYA HEYDARI LEFT Afghanistan with two laptops, two cameras and a heavy heart. But, she had no choice after the Taliban took Kabul. The photojournalist from the Afghan capital is now a refugee in Paris. Her parents and sister are still in Afghanistan. She said that she did consider returning, while speaking to her mother—who broke down multiple times during their conversation. But, her mother told her she would never forgive her if she went back. Her parents are worried for her safety as she has been a vocal critic of the Taliban.
This is the second time Heydari had to flee her country because of the Taliban. The last time, the entire family left and returned in 2003, once an elected government was in place. Heydari charted a difficult path in conflict-torn Afghanistan; to become a photographer for international media agencies, NGOs and foreign governments. She said that her entire world collapsed because of the Taliban takeover. Edited excerpts from a telephonic interview:
Did you expect this outcome?
When I was there, we never thought the war would get bigger. I never thought they could take Kabul, Herat or Mazar. I never thought for one second that the president would leave the country. I was always hopeful. When I was scared, I would tell myself that everything will change and we will win the war. We expected the president to do something for the people. On the day he left, we were destroyed.
Can you narrate what happened in the last days of your stay in Afghanistan?
On a Saturday afternoon (August 14), I was in a cafe. There I saw the president’s interview. He said everything is under control. I was so happy then. Next day, I heard that the capital fell to the Taliban. I did not believe it because I had not seen them. That night I felt like we lost everything as I saw Taliban roaming near my house. In the next few days, we heard news about the Taliban beating and killing people. We were very scared. Around that time, I got an emergency call from the French embassy; I had done some projects for them. They said they can help me leave the country.
My photographer friend and I could not make it on the first day, even after waiting for 10 hours near the airport. Next day, an American friend helped us and we got inside a camp at the airport. After spending two days there, with nothing but my laptops and cameras, I got a flight to France.
How do you think the Taliban rule will impact working women?
There are only a few working women in the country, as most of them left. They (the Taliban) do not want women to come back and work. They are saying it is not as per the rules of Islam, and they just said something like those who are artists should change their job. They said they will protect women activists and journalists and they can get back to work. But, we need to see what they do. I do not believe them.
To read the full interview
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