The background, structure, and mission of Women for Afghan Women, a nonprofit based in New York and Kabul.
Zia Taeb saw an opportunity in the food industry and created the Kennedy Fried Chicken name. In a New York Times article in 2011 Taeb said “I didn’t speak much English then, but it was easy to see that you could make money,” Mr. Taeb said, recalling his first days in New York. “The price of chicken was inexpensive and stable, and anyone could work behind the counter.” His efforts created a new market from which the New York Afghan Community could thrive.
During the time of the Taliban, women were not allowed to work, and to be alone in the streets. Domestic abuse was rampant and women found alone on the street in their attempt to escape would be imprisoned by the police or returned to their abuser.
Before the communist coup and the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets there were only a few hundred Afghans living in America. Most of them were from wealthy backgrounds. After the invasion most students were granted political asylum. Around 2000-4000 Afghan refugees and political asylum seekers came to America each year until 1989. These Afghans were less educated and wealthy then those who came before them.
In 1987 Mr. Saleh, self purportedly, introduced New York city's Afghan community to the coffee and food cart industry. Written in a New York Times article from 1997 "As Greek businessmen moved on, Afghan entrepreneurs moved in. Through word of mouth and connections made at prayer meetings at mosques from Paterson, N.J., to Flushing, Queens, Afghans eventually took control of the business... There are people who know what they are going to do in New York even before they leave Afghanistan,'' said Ali Saleh, 24, Mr. Saleh's younger brother and a vendor at 51st Street and Park Avenue. ''People land here and the next week is like, 'Where do I get a license?' ''
The Russian backed Afghan communist government of Najibullah is weakened and eventually overthrown by the Mujahideen (Muslims who "struggle in the path of Allah" and associated with radical jihadists). The Peshawar Accord establishes the Islamic State of Afghanistan, an interim government for a transitional period. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e Islami violates the peace policy by infiltrating Kabul to gain power for itself. The interim government pledges to defeat the forces acting against the peace agreement and civil war begins. Kabul becomes the center of chaos. The setting free of criminals by Hekmatyar’s force, bombardment of artillery shells, rockets, and fragmentation bombs lead to a rising death toll of civilians in Kabul. The situation is exacerbated when Red Cross Hospitals are destroyed and the city’s food and fuel deposits are emptied. The city becomes divided among rival militia factions. By Dec., 500,000 civilians have fled Kabul.
The second wave of Afghan immigrants comes to America fleeing the civil war.
Hezb-Islami gains new allies, which leads to even more lootings, rapes, and murders. The population of Kabul falls from 2 million during Soviet times to about 500,000.
The Taliban’s influence grows with support from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and it seizes Kabul, establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Former Pres. Najibullah is tortured and hung to death. The Taliban’s promise to save the people has turned into nothing but the perpetration of large scale massacres especially against the Hazara and Shia population. The Taliban has captured an increasing number of provinces and has enforced a strict interpretation of Sharia Law. Music, tv, sports, and dancing are banned and judicial punishment becomes common. The Taliban is especially brutal in their treatment of women as women are sold into sex slavery, are forbidden from pursuing an education, are forced to observe a dress code, and are publicly beaten and humiliated.
The Taliban has captured 2/3 of the entire country and is recognized by both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as legitimate rulers. Al Qaeda becomes a state within the Taliban state and Bin Laden helps to join the fight against the United Front lead by Ahmad Shah Massoud, who is against the Taliban’s policies.
The Taliban aids Osama Bin Laden in bombing U.S. embassies in Africa.
