Doha: Afghan television anchor Beheshta Arghand Gathered his breath and adjusted his headscarf to look like a traditional close-fitting hijab when a Taliban The officer asked for an interview, uninvited, at his studio.
This happened just two days after the Islamic group took control of Kabul. He looked at her body to make sure no other parts were visible and began firing his questions.
Her live interview made headlines around the world as she became the first Afghan female journalist to quiz a member of the hardline group.
“(Luckily) I always wear long dresses in the studio because we have different people with different minds,” the 23-year-old told Reuters in Doha, where she escaped Afghanistan on August 24 with the help of the Nobel Prize. has been living since. Winner Malala Yousafzai.
He said, “Women-the Taliban they don’t accept. When a group of people don’t accept you as a human being, they have some picture about you in their mind, it’s very difficult.”
The interview was part of a broader Taliban media campaign aimed at showing a more liberal face as he promised that he would respect women’s rights and involve other Afghan factions in the power-sharing deal.
Arghand The Taliban was already on set in the studio when the officer arrived.
She said, “I saw they had come (at the television station). I was shocked, I lost control… I told myself that maybe they had come to ask why I came to the studio.”
She said that about a week ago her life had turned into a nightmare.
She said the Taliban had ordered her employer Tolo News that all women should wear the hijab – closely covering their heads but leaving their faces uncovered – and subsequently suspending female anchors in other stations.
She said the Islamic group also asked local media to stop talking about its takeover and its rule.
“How can you be a journalist when you can’t ask simple questions,” Argand said.
Despite assurances from the Taliban that media freedom was improving every day and that women would have access to education and work, many of their allies had left the country by then.
She was soon to follow along with her mother, sisters and brothers. They joined thousands of foreigners and Afghan citizens who participated in the chaotic US-led evacuation.
“I called Malala and asked her if she could do anything for me,” she said. She said that Yousafzai, whom she interviewed, helped get her on the Qatar evacuation list.
Yousafzai, who has specifically spoken out about her concern for the safety of women and girls after the takeover, survived a 2012 shooting by a Pakistani Taliban gunman while protesting against efforts to deny women education. was targeted for his campaign.
Looking back, Argand said that she realized how much she loved her country and a profession she had chosen over her family’s objections.
“When I got on the plane, I told myself that you have nothing now,” she said. (Written by Aziz El Yacoubi; Editing by Alison Williams)
This happened just two days after the Islamic group took control of Kabul. He looked at her body to make sure no other parts were visible and began firing his questions.
Her live interview made headlines around the world as she became the first Afghan female journalist to quiz a member of the hardline group.
“(Luckily) I always wear long dresses in the studio because we have different people with different minds,” the 23-year-old told Reuters in Doha, where she escaped Afghanistan on August 24 with the help of the Nobel Prize. has been living since. Winner Malala Yousafzai.
He said, “Women-the Taliban they don’t accept. When a group of people don’t accept you as a human being, they have some picture about you in their mind, it’s very difficult.”
The interview was part of a broader Taliban media campaign aimed at showing a more liberal face as he promised that he would respect women’s rights and involve other Afghan factions in the power-sharing deal.
Arghand The Taliban was already on set in the studio when the officer arrived.
She said, “I saw they had come (at the television station). I was shocked, I lost control… I told myself that maybe they had come to ask why I came to the studio.”
She said that about a week ago her life had turned into a nightmare.
She said the Taliban had ordered her employer Tolo News that all women should wear the hijab – closely covering their heads but leaving their faces uncovered – and subsequently suspending female anchors in other stations.
She said the Islamic group also asked local media to stop talking about its takeover and its rule.
“How can you be a journalist when you can’t ask simple questions,” Argand said.
Despite assurances from the Taliban that media freedom was improving every day and that women would have access to education and work, many of their allies had left the country by then.
She was soon to follow along with her mother, sisters and brothers. They joined thousands of foreigners and Afghan citizens who participated in the chaotic US-led evacuation.
“I called Malala and asked her if she could do anything for me,” she said. She said that Yousafzai, whom she interviewed, helped get her on the Qatar evacuation list.
Yousafzai, who has specifically spoken out about her concern for the safety of women and girls after the takeover, survived a 2012 shooting by a Pakistani Taliban gunman while protesting against efforts to deny women education. was targeted for his campaign.
Looking back, Argand said that she realized how much she loved her country and a profession she had chosen over her family’s objections.
“When I got on the plane, I told myself that you have nothing now,” she said. (Written by Aziz El Yacoubi; Editing by Alison Williams)
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