From the Darkest Classrooms to the Brightest Dreams: The Life Story of an Afghan Girl

Photo: Nanna Muus Steffensen / The Guardian

On one hot summer day, after a difficult school exam, I returned home. My father called everyone and, with a voice full of concern, asked us to get ready to leave. The war in the north had intensified and the sound of clashes had filled everywhere with fear and horror. People were leaving their homes one by one to save their lives.

But I, a girl with a thousand and one dreams, cared about only one thing: what would happen to my exams?

I was the top student in my class and was worried that leaving the city before finishing my exams would make all my efforts go to waste. My father, who saw the situation more seriously than I did, kindly tried to calm me down. While knowing that the situation would get even worse and being anxious himself, he only said:

“For now, just think about saving your life.”

At that time, Kabul had not yet fallen and there were no clashes to witness, but the north of the country was ablaze; full of war, fear, and armed conflict.

Our whole family set off for Kabul, but little did we know that Kabul would fall so easily.

Only a few days had passed since our arrival in Kabul when the news of the city’s fall came.

Oh, that day… I do not know exactly what I felt, I only know that it seemed as if everything collapsed all at once.

My mind was full of questions, I talked to myself for hours, and I was anxious about a future that no longer seemed bright. Somehow, I felt that harder days were on the way.

I would sit by the window and watch the planes taking off one by one from Kabul airport.

Sometimes I wished I were among those who left this land and went towards a better life, because I knew no bright future would take shape for us here.

That year I was supposed to travel to India for one of the leadership programs (LEAP8). Out of hundreds of girls from all over Afghanistan, I was one of the 25 girls selected for this program. I was very excited; traveling, learning, getting to know the world… everything was a sweet dream for me.

But this beautiful dream of mine was broken very soon.

The United States Embassy in Afghanistan was closed, and because our program was supported by it, it was canceled. I remember exactly how bad I felt; I had worked very hard to participate in this program, and now that I had succeeded and was only a short time away from going, everything changed.

But this was not only Mursal’s story, it was the story of all Afghan girls.

We were all suddenly deprived of school, university, and even the right to joy.

I was forced to sit in a corner of the house after finishing school, because I was among the last batch of high school graduates after the fall who were not even allowed to participate in the Kankor exam.

Life had become dark and difficult for me, and yet every day I kept dreaming about going to university, and hope was still alive in my heart.

While all the doors were closed to us, I did not give up and continued teaching and learning.

I started teaching English online, and for months, in a corner of my room, behind closed doors, I tried to ensure that the light of knowledge and education would not be extinguished in the hearts of the few girls I taught.

Alongside that, I applied for various scholarships.

Finally, in 2024, I succeeded in receiving three scholarships from Iran, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.

Among these three countries, I chose to continue my education in Pakistan.

The day I received the email confirming my success in the Pakistan scholarship, I can say it was one of the best days of my life; a day when, in the heart of despair, a spark of hope came to life.

I was going to university, a dream I had carried in my heart for a long time was about to come true.

In June 2024, I traveled. I was forced to leave behind my homeland, my family, and everyone I loved, and move forward to build a better future.

It was very difficult for me; I was the youngest daughter in my family and had never experienced being away from them.

But there was no other choice; I had to travel, I had to endure hardships so that I could reach my goals.

Today, I study my favorite field at the best university in Islamabad.

This path was not easy for me; it was full of pain, longing, and challenges.

I wrote this story to be a light for those who are still waiting behind closed doors for their dreams to come true.

Strong girls of my homeland!

I know these days are hard, the road is dark, and your hearts are weary, but please do not give up.

I was one of you too; deprived of every right, with a world full of tears, pain, and half-finished dreams.

But I am still standing, still learning, writing, and dreaming.

Stay strong and do not lose hope. One day all our dreams will come true; no girl will have to fight to learn, but will learn with pride.

And that day is not far.