Latest news with #Ghofran
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Taliban to drop flowers from helicopters on anniversary
The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official says. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the United States and the NATO military alliance withdrew their forces after a costly two-decade war. Defence Ministry helicopters will perform "beautiful aerial displays" above the Afghan capital on Friday to "shower the city" with colourful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, Ghofran said. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the US. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident Zafar Momand said Afghans needed more than peace. "Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Females are barred from education beyond the sixth year, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. UNESCO director-genera Audrey Azoulay said on Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. "Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision," Azoulay said. "This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line." Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the centre of the US war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official says. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the United States and the NATO military alliance withdrew their forces after a costly two-decade war. Defence Ministry helicopters will perform "beautiful aerial displays" above the Afghan capital on Friday to "shower the city" with colourful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, Ghofran said. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the US. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident Zafar Momand said Afghans needed more than peace. "Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Females are barred from education beyond the sixth year, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. UNESCO director-genera Audrey Azoulay said on Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. "Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision," Azoulay said. "This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line." Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the centre of the US war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official says. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the United States and the NATO military alliance withdrew their forces after a costly two-decade war. Defence Ministry helicopters will perform "beautiful aerial displays" above the Afghan capital on Friday to "shower the city" with colourful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, Ghofran said. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the US. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident Zafar Momand said Afghans needed more than peace. "Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Females are barred from education beyond the sixth year, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. UNESCO director-genera Audrey Azoulay said on Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. "Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision," Azoulay said. "This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line." Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the centre of the US war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official says. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the United States and the NATO military alliance withdrew their forces after a costly two-decade war. Defence Ministry helicopters will perform "beautiful aerial displays" above the Afghan capital on Friday to "shower the city" with colourful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, Ghofran said. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the US. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident Zafar Momand said Afghans needed more than peace. "Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Females are barred from education beyond the sixth year, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. UNESCO director-genera Audrey Azoulay said on Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. "Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision," Azoulay said. "This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line." Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the centre of the US war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Taliban to drop flowers from helicopters on anniversary
The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official says. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the United States and the NATO military alliance withdrew their forces after a costly two-decade war. Defence Ministry helicopters will perform "beautiful aerial displays" above the Afghan capital on Friday to "shower the city" with colourful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, Ghofran said. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the US. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident Zafar Momand said Afghans needed more than peace. "Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Females are barred from education beyond the sixth year, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. UNESCO director-genera Audrey Azoulay said on Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. "Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision," Azoulay said. "This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line." Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the centre of the US war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. Women were barred from that event, including female journalists from the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters for their takeover anniversary
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official said Thursday. The Taliban seized control of the country on Aug. 15, 2021, weeks before the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces after a costly, two-decade war. Defense Ministry helicopters will perform 'beautiful aerial displays' above the Afghan capital on Friday to 'shower the city' with colorful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesperson for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, said Ghofran. The planned celebrations come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighboring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the U.S. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident, Zafar Momand, said Afghans needed more than peace. 'Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live in,' Momand said. 'Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities.' Females are barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend the anniversary festivities. The director-general of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, said Thursday that Afghanistan stood out as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education was strictly forbidden for girls and women. 'Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond primary level due to this regressive decision,' said Azoulay. 'This exclusion of women from public life has disastrous consequences for the country's long-term development, where half the population already lives below the poverty line.' Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the center of America's war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. Women were barred from that event, including female journalists from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
5 days ago
- Politics
Taliban to shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters for their takeover anniversary
ISLAMABAD -- The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official said Thursday. The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces after a costly, two-decade war. Defense Ministry helicopters will perform 'beautiful aerial displays' above the Afghan capital on Friday to 'shower the city' with colorful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, said Ghofran. The festivities come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighboring countries, a faltering economy and cuts in foreign funding, especially from the U.S. Almost 10 million people face acute food insecurity and one in three children is stunted. Black and white Taliban flags were displayed across Kabul on Thursday. Ahsan Ullah Khan, from northern Sar-e-Pul province, encouraged the Afghan diaspora to return so they could see how peaceful the country was and how happy people were. But Kabul resident, Zafar Momand, said Afghans needed more than peace. 'Along with peace we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved then Afghanistan is the best country to live," Momand said. "Women are also an important part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities.' Females are barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs and most public spaces. It was not immediately clear if women would be present at or permitted to attend Friday's festivities. Last year's takeover anniversary celebrations were held at Bagram Airfield, once the center of America's war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.
Vogue Arabia
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
How Lebanese Architect-Turned-Jewellery Designer Shaha Raphael Is Reshaping Wearable Art with Earth-Inspired Pieces
Mariana Wehbe, founder of her namesake PR firm and an avid jewellery connoisseur with a keen eye for emerging regional talent, is a devoted fan. 'Shaha has an incredible sensitivity and sensibility to her work. Her pieces are bold, resonating a feminine strength that you want to keep on you all day. It's powerful,' she shares. A feminine spirit, intentional or not, permeates Raphael's work, perhaps rooted in her instinctive, trend-averse approach to accessorising. 'I began wearing jewellery only after designing it for myself as a form of self-expression,' she says. 'I suppose the act of adornment is essentially a primitive urge, something women (and men) have been doing for centuries, since prehistoric times.' That visceral self-expression endures, conveying an inclusive language that transcends generations and ideologies. 'I'm very inspired by the work of Lebanese artist Saloua Raouda Choucair,' she gushes with enthusiasm. 'Her abstract, sculptural work speaks a similar primal language, free from Western or Eastern principles, rooted in nature's universal narrative.' Other stronghold influences include her well-heeled, discerning grandmother, Ghofran: '84 years old with impeccable taste, coiffed hair, full make-up and high expectations. When my jewellery speaks to her and gets her approval, that's when I feel like I've transcended generations and won over a really tough crowd!' So what's next for Raphael, now that she has beguiled the picky matriarchs in her family? A glance at one of her latest creations, a bone-shaped chain necklace embellished with a sapphire-studded spoon, begs the questions she's been mulling all along. Does form follow function? Must an item serve a purpose beyond beauty to exist? If it's beautiful enough to wear, can I eat with it too? 'Taking something rudimentary and making it desirable through beauty changes your experience of it. It makes it special; it makes it enough.' She pauses, then elaborates, 'The process doesn't begin with the end in mind. The material tells the story, guiding its maker towards what it wants to become, with beauty as the ultimate goal. Always.' That is purpose enough.
