2RHPZ
06-01-2004, 04:46 PM
Afghanistan's prettiest parachuter
By Barry Neild KABUL
Dressed in full military uniform, Mohammadzai is a striking sight in Afghanistan, where many women remain imprisoned under the all-encompassing burqa veils.
Despite being a devout Muslim, the 34-year-old mother steadfastly refuses to conform to the norms of what remains a repressive society.
"According to our tradition and culture, women normally do not go out of the house. So once a woman does go out, she should do something extraordinary. She should do something to keep all the men quiet. That's what I'm doing."
Mohammadzai lives up to her claim. At age 16 she signed up for the airforce, dreaming of becoming a parachutist during an era of communism in Afghanistan when female equality was promoted.
"At that time it was not strange like it is today. We had freedom. Women could fulfill their dreams."
Passing her classes at Kabul's military university with flying colors, she became one of 17 women parachutists in the Afghan airforce. She is the only one still in service.
Then came the dark days of the Taliban, when women were banned from the workplace and most other walks of life in Afghanistan, and were made prisoners in their own homes.
"I was not happy. How does a bird of the sky feel when it is locked in a cage? I had spent most of my life being a parachutist. Then one day I was told I could no longer work."
Mohammadzai, who by this time had already become a popular figure in Afghanistan, was reduced to making embroidered clothes and handicrafts to scrape together a living.
Her husband and father of her only child had by this time been killed in the relentless conflict in Afghanistan, to which she also lost two of her brothers.
But such was her popularity that, after the fall of the Taliban late last year under a US-led military campaign, the country's new leaders were soon begging her to return to duty. She literally jumped at the chance.
"As long as I am alive and able, I will continue to make parachute jumps," she said, rueing the fact a knee injury sustained in a jump earlier this year will keep her out of action until into the new year.
Promoted to general by Afghan President Hamid Karzai earlier this year, Mohammadzai is now deputy director of women in the country's ministry of defence in addition to being sports director for the Afghan airforce.
She also works as a parachuting instructor, teaches judo, runs her own boxing club and reluctantly admits to being a role model and inspiration for thousands of Afghan women.
Mohammadzai said she believed she could make a difference as Afghanistan struggled to rebuild itself after decades of conflict and reverse the oppression which has become engrained after five years of Taliban rule.
"I wear my uniform to encourage all other Afghans to follow in my steps. I do not mean they should be soldiers, but they should try their best to rebuild their country.
"I never see myself as unique. I am not the only woman who can do these things. It is the responsibility of every Afghan, man or woman, to serve their country."
AFP
Plus one funny post taken from one Afghan forum:
:lol:
Girls' Karate Club Opens in Kabul!
Pakiboys!
*
Your worst nightmare has come true. *
*
A Karate club in Kabul for girls by the name of "Afghanistan e Jawan" has opened. *In Kabul, while you were busy executing women Kabul stadium, during those times could you ever imagine that:You would run away like rats to Pakistan
Pakistan will divorce you
Afghan girls would go back to school and each day that they go to class will send a Lanat to you and your group
And finally girls' Karate club by the name of Afghanistan e Jawan will be opened in Kabul
Listen to this part of the news from Radio Azadi.
*
http://www.rferl.com/ondemand/ch17/20030920-1000AF.ram
*
The spirit of those girls was up in the sky. *Listen to what they say, some interesting comments, specially those of the trainer *By the way, this news starts on the 17th minute of the program
*
Farhad
By Barry Neild KABUL
Dressed in full military uniform, Mohammadzai is a striking sight in Afghanistan, where many women remain imprisoned under the all-encompassing burqa veils.
Despite being a devout Muslim, the 34-year-old mother steadfastly refuses to conform to the norms of what remains a repressive society.
"According to our tradition and culture, women normally do not go out of the house. So once a woman does go out, she should do something extraordinary. She should do something to keep all the men quiet. That's what I'm doing."
Mohammadzai lives up to her claim. At age 16 she signed up for the airforce, dreaming of becoming a parachutist during an era of communism in Afghanistan when female equality was promoted.
"At that time it was not strange like it is today. We had freedom. Women could fulfill their dreams."
Passing her classes at Kabul's military university with flying colors, she became one of 17 women parachutists in the Afghan airforce. She is the only one still in service.
Then came the dark days of the Taliban, when women were banned from the workplace and most other walks of life in Afghanistan, and were made prisoners in their own homes.
"I was not happy. How does a bird of the sky feel when it is locked in a cage? I had spent most of my life being a parachutist. Then one day I was told I could no longer work."
Mohammadzai, who by this time had already become a popular figure in Afghanistan, was reduced to making embroidered clothes and handicrafts to scrape together a living.
Her husband and father of her only child had by this time been killed in the relentless conflict in Afghanistan, to which she also lost two of her brothers.
But such was her popularity that, after the fall of the Taliban late last year under a US-led military campaign, the country's new leaders were soon begging her to return to duty. She literally jumped at the chance.
"As long as I am alive and able, I will continue to make parachute jumps," she said, rueing the fact a knee injury sustained in a jump earlier this year will keep her out of action until into the new year.
Promoted to general by Afghan President Hamid Karzai earlier this year, Mohammadzai is now deputy director of women in the country's ministry of defence in addition to being sports director for the Afghan airforce.
She also works as a parachuting instructor, teaches judo, runs her own boxing club and reluctantly admits to being a role model and inspiration for thousands of Afghan women.
Mohammadzai said she believed she could make a difference as Afghanistan struggled to rebuild itself after decades of conflict and reverse the oppression which has become engrained after five years of Taliban rule.
"I wear my uniform to encourage all other Afghans to follow in my steps. I do not mean they should be soldiers, but they should try their best to rebuild their country.
"I never see myself as unique. I am not the only woman who can do these things. It is the responsibility of every Afghan, man or woman, to serve their country."
AFP
Plus one funny post taken from one Afghan forum:
:lol:
Girls' Karate Club Opens in Kabul!
Pakiboys!
*
Your worst nightmare has come true. *
*
A Karate club in Kabul for girls by the name of "Afghanistan e Jawan" has opened. *In Kabul, while you were busy executing women Kabul stadium, during those times could you ever imagine that:You would run away like rats to Pakistan
Pakistan will divorce you
Afghan girls would go back to school and each day that they go to class will send a Lanat to you and your group
And finally girls' Karate club by the name of Afghanistan e Jawan will be opened in Kabul
Listen to this part of the news from Radio Azadi.
*
http://www.rferl.com/ondemand/ch17/20030920-1000AF.ram
*
The spirit of those girls was up in the sky. *Listen to what they say, some interesting comments, specially those of the trainer *By the way, this news starts on the 17th minute of the program
*
Farhad