Latest news with #Sulaman

Indianapolis Star

From Afghanistan with love––Couple flees Taliban, marries. has kids in Indiana

Arzo and Sulaman Akbarzada stop for a moment in a long day to see a neighborhood where they might want to buy a home Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Arzo Akbarzada, right, hugs her husband Sulaman Akbarzada's arm Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada walks through his apartment Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at his Indianapolis home. Sulaman and his now wife, Arzo, relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Salin Akbarzada plays in her bouncy chair as her father, Sulaman Akbarzada, sits nearby Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their home. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada pauses while talking about Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Sulaman and his now wife, Arzo, relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters were born in Indianapolis. Sulaman says he can't go back. It would be a bad life for all of them, and chances are high that he would be killed. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Salin Akbarzada plays in her bouncy chair as her father, Sulaman Akbarzada, sits nearby Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their home. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Arzo Akbarzada gets ready to give her daughter, Salin, a bottle Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Arzo Akbarzada gives her daughter, Salin, a bottle Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indianapolis in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada, right, helps his daughter Helen get clean hands for lunch Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Arzo Akbarzada, left, cooks. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada lifts his daughter Helen up for a hug Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada kisses his daughter Salin, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada lifts his daughter Salin up for a hug Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada shares a moment with his daughter Salin, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada tells his daughter Helen not to eat any more candy, while he holds his other daughter Salin, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada shows a Quran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at his Indianapolis home. He and his family are Muslim, but he tries to learn about all the religions including Christianity and Catholicism. Sulaman and his now wife, Arzo, relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada shows a book he read about religion Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. He and his family are Muslim, but he tries to learn about all the religions and many perspectives. Sulaman and his wife, Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada, holding Helen, left, and Arzo Akbarzada, holding Salin, have lunch Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada, holding Helen, left, and Arzo Akbarzada, holding Salin, have lunch Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada hugs his wife Arzo Akbarzada goodbye as he heads off to work Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. He works as many hours as he can to support his family. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Arzo Akbarzada, left, shows some new outfits to her husband Sulaman Akbarzada, as their daughter Salin sits between them Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada looks out the window as he holds his daughter Helen, Saturday, March 22, 2025 in their Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada looks at some of his favorite people, family and friends, in photos on the wall Saturday, March 22, 2025 at his Indianapolis home. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada takes a photo of office hours at a closed management office while stopping by a neighborhood to look at possible homes to buy Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada walks through a neighborhood to look at possible homes to buy Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada walks through a neighborhood to look at possible homes to buy Saturday, March 22, 2025. He loves the feel of this neighborhood in Greenwood. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar As Arzo Akbarzada holds Salin, she and her husband Sulaman Akbarzada pick out flowers, at Kroger, to bring to a birthday celebration for Arzo's father Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada stop at Kroger with their kids during their full day of errands and visiting Saturday, March 22, 2025. They pick out a cake to take for a birthday celebration with Arzo's father. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada puts Helen back in her car seat to head to their next stop during their full day of errands and visiting Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman Akbarzada, ight, puts Helen back in her car seat to head to their next stop during their full day of errands and visiting Saturday, March 22, 2025. Arzo, left, changes Salin's diaper. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada, with their kids, walk up the stairs to visit with famiily during their full day of errands and visiting Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Helen Akbarzada, center, holds her grandmother, Najeba Sultanzad's hand as her uncle, Sohail Akbarzada, sits by her Saturday, March 22, 2025. Her parents, Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada, relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Helen Akbarzada plays with her grandmother, Najeba Sultanzad, Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Most of their families now live in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Salin Akbarzada holds her grandmother Najeba Sultanzad's hand Saturday, March 22, 2025. Her parents, Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada, relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Helen Akbarzada sits with her grandfather, Ghulam H. Sultanzad, from left, and uncle, Sohail Akbarzada, while her parents and sister are nearby during their full day of errands and visiting Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Most of the family is now in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Arzo Akbarzada's father, Ghulam H. Sultanzad, right, lights his birthday cake candles at his birthday celebration with family Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Helen Akbarzada watch. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. They married in Indiana. Their two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Most of the family is now in Indianapolis and area. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Jamila Crook, right, talks with Sulaman Akbarzada and his daughter Salin, Saturday, March 22, 2025 during a party. Sulaman and Arzo relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. Crook met the young Afghan couple at Camp Atterbury when they were there as part of U.S.'s Operation Welcome Allies which temporarily settled over 7000 Afghan at Campn Atterbury. Sulaman asked Crook to help them get married. She started the ball rolling to help them. They married at the Camp and later married again in Indianapolis when they had a marriage certificate. Sulaman's and Arzo's two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Jamila Crook talks to friends and family during her going-away party Saturday, March 22, 2025. Arzo and Sulaman Akbarzada came to the party. They were relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. Crook met the young Afghan couple at Camp Atterbury when they were there as part of U.S.'s Operation Welcome Allies which temporarily settled over 7000 Afghan at Campn Atterbury. Sulaman asked Crook to help them get married. She started the ball rolling to help them. They married at the Camp and later married again in Indianapolis when they had a marriage certificate. Sulaman's and Arzo's two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Jamila Crook, right, talks to friends and family during her going-away party Saturday, March 22, 2025. Arzo and Sulaman Akbarzada, left, came to the party. They were relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. Crook met the young Afghan couple at Camp Atterbury when they were there as part of U.S.'s Operation Welcome Allies which temporarily settled over 7000 Afghan at Campn Atterbury. Sulaman asked Crook to help them get married. She started the ball rolling to help them. They married at the Camp and later married again in Indianapolis when they had a marriage certificate. Sulaman's and Arzo's two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Jamila Crook, holding Helen Akbarzada, talks to friends and family during her going-away party Saturday, March 22, 2025. Sulaman and Arzo Akbarzada came to the party. They were relocated to Indiana in 2021 fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. Crook met the young Afghan couple at Camp Atterbury when they were there as part of U.S.'s Operation Welcome Allies which temporarily settled over 7000 Afghan at Campn Atterbury. Sulaman asked Crook to help them get married. She started the ball rolling to help them. They married at the Camp and later married again in Indianapolis when they had a marriage certificate. Sulaman's and Arzo's two daughters, Helen and Salin, were born in Indianapolis. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar