These letters between a teacher and her students have been shared with Rukhshana Media by the teacher Nehal Naderi, reflecting on their shared pain and determination under Taliban rule.
Dear students,
I know that you and I are sharing a common pain. We are bound by a fate where a group of unlearned and dark-minded people has deprived us of our basic rights. I am writing this letter to you in view of the current situation and the new restrictions that have been imposed.
My dear ones,
Those who grow up in darkness fear the light. Only those incapable of hearing the soothing voice of a mother or sister could regard a woman’s voice as merely a “private part.”
Do you want to know how I feel when I hear your voices in the classroom?
Honestly, your voices are the most beautiful sounds, sweeping away sorrow, despair, and fear. With your voices, hope and light replaces the sadness and hopelessness.
Teaching is a wonderful feeling. Standing before the faces of Afghanistan’s future is my greatest honor. When your beautiful voices resonate in my ears as you express your dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers, ministers, presidents, or pilots, I feel an exhilarating sense of flight.
My beautiful daughters,
I believe in your unwavering energy and strength, in the oath we took together. No one and nothing can hinder our progress – not even the Taliban.
As your teacher, I write to you with pride. Just as we have promised, the only way to overcome this situation is to continue bravely moving forward.
Respectfully,
Nehal Naderi
—
Dear teacher,
We may be suffering these days, our spirits wounded and unable to access our most basic rights. However, these pains remind us that we are alive and that we will not surrender to the conditions that the Taliban seek.
So, believe us. We will endure these hardships. As always, we stand by you with resilience and determination. We are confident that no force can defeat us.
Dear teacher,
This pain, like any pain, is temporary. It may wound our spirits, but we will view it as a reminder of the difficult days we’ve overcome with our strong wills.
Tall walls surround us, light does not penetrate this darkness, and the painful silence torments our souls; we understand all of this. Yet, there is a strength within us that refuses to accept life in the shadows and on the margins.
We will not be sidelined in the history of Afghanistan. Our names will be written in golden letters. But before that, your name and those of all the beloved teachers who have kept the flame of this revolution alive will be foremost.
With memories of walking through the school corridors, listening to the songs of girls echoing in the air, hands raised to ask questions, and fingers lovingly embracing the pen, we are still alive.
The power of your sweet words continues to enrich our spirits, giving us hope to remain unyielding. Once again, we promise that no one can stand in our way—not even the Taliban.
Looking forward to seeing you,
The warrior
