Since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan, people from across the world have come across more stories of grit and protest as narrated by Afghan women. Whether in exile or settled in other parts of the world, or still living in Afghanistan while protesting against the Taliban every day, stories of the courage these women have shown are truly inspiring.
The story of Aliya Kazimy should be seen in a similar light. Part of an intriguing series by the BBC featuring women who are either in the same profession or share the same passion, Kazimy, a university tutor, wrote a letter to Halima Aden, a fashion veteran.
Kazimy explained in her letter how she was able to fly away to the US from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. However, her heart aches for the women who are still out there. In her letter to Aden, she expresses, “Seeing the beauty of an array of different colours always made me happy. I liked black a lot, but that was before I knew I would be condemned to wearing it. Just imagine for a moment that you do not have the right to choose the length or colour of your outfit, how would you feel?”
She added that it’s not about the hemlines of their dresses but their right to choose for themselves. It's not just about the length of our dresses, it's about the rights we fought for and the lives that were sacrificed over the years to get where we are. “Being denied this is just a fraction of what women in Afghanistan are going through—they are being deprived of the right to education, to work, and to other civil rights. As I write this letter, my heart aches for my people,” Kazimy points out.
Aden, a Somali-American fashion model who is known the world over as the first hijab-wearing supermodel, wrote back to Kazimy saying, “I walked away from the fashion industry because I was doing things that didn't align with my beliefs, including wearing jeans on my head in substitute of a hijab. I appreciate I have been in a very blessed position to be able to walk away.”
“People should not be policing our bodies—it's a human rights violation. Whether it's a country voting to outlaw the headscarf in public places for minors, or rules prohibiting you wearing one to your workplace or mandating a woman wear the veil or the hijab - I think it's wrong,” Aden adds.
She concluded by suggesting women hold on to their clothes of colour and choice as they together hope for a brighter future..
*Image used for representative purpose only