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Shabana Basij-Rasikh
@sbasijrasikh
Co-Founder & President @SOLAAfghanistan. Educator and social entrepreneur.
sola-afghanistan.org
Joined January 2009
1,150
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15.7K
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Dec 6, 2021
    Sadness, pride...and hope. I felt these things at @TEDWomen when I spoke about @solaafghanistan and all Afghan women: what we've endured, what we'll build, and the future we'll create. It's an honor to know you're with us, and that you won't look away.
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    The dream of educating Afghan girls lives on
    From ted.com
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    In March 2002, after the fall of Taliban, thousands of Afghan girls were invited to go to the nearest public school to participate in a placement test because the Taliban had burned all female students’ records to erase their existence. I was one of those girls. 1/6
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    Replying to @sbasijrasikh
    Nearly 20 years later, as the founder of the only all-girls boarding school in Afghanistan, I’m burning my students’ records not to erase them, but to protect them and their families. 2/6
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    Replying to @sbasijrasikh
    As the world focuses on the dramatic - those Afghans who are managing to get out - the fire in me to invest in the education of Afghan girls who have no way out grows brighter, stronger, and louder. 3/6
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    Replying to @sbasijrasikh
    My students, colleagues, and I are safe with enormous gratitude to our ever vibrant global village. The time to appropriately express my gratitude will come. But right now there are many who aren’t or increasingly don’t feel safe. I’m broken & devastated for them. 4/6
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    Replying to @sbasijrasikh
    I’m making this statement to mainly reassure the families of our students whose records we burned and our supporters of our safety. As I focus on the safety and well-being of my students, I don’t plan on making any further comments. 5/6
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 20, 2021
    Replying to @sbasijrasikh
    Those who have our best interest at heart will respect and honor my decision. Thank you. If you wish to support us, you can donate here: sola-afghanistan.org/donate 6/6
    sola-afghanistan.org
    Donate — SOLA
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 15, 2021
    My heart is so heavy. It feels like 36 million pounds and then some 😢💔
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Sep 16, 2021
    I'm truly honored to join @washingtonpost, and with this platform I make a promise to Afghan girls, and all girls around the world: I see you, and I will never look away. #DontLookAway
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    Washington Post Communications
    @WashPostComms
    Sep 16, 2021
    The @washingtonpost has named @sbasijrasikh a contributor to Global @PostOpinions. She will write about the ways the Taliban government is reshaping Afghanistan, the new Afghan diaspora, and girls’ education around the world, among other issues. washingtonpost.com/pr/2021/09/16/…
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Aug 24, 2021
    On August 20th, I shared that our SOLA community is safe. Today, I want to share a few details as to the form that safety is taking. Last week, we completed the departure from Kabul of nearly 250 students, faculty, staff, and family members. 1/7
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Apr 7, 2025
    Today marks the beginning of Kwibuka 31. 31 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The word “Kwibuka” is a Kinyarwanda word. It means “To Remember.” Remembering casts our eyes back on the past, but just as much, it directs our gaze toward the future. We see what the
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Apr 7, 2024
    Today marks the beginning of #Kwibuka30. 30 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. As Rwandans of course know, but as other readers might not, the word “Kwibuka” is a Kinyarwanda word. It means “To Remember.” This August will mark three years since @solaafghanistan
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Feb 15, 2022
    6 months ago today, the Taliban entered Kabul. From that day to this moment, they’ve blocked millions of Afghan girls from their educations. I’ve never looked away. Our @solaafghanistan students haven’t either. Now, for the 1st time, I’m bringing you to our Rwanda campus.
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    Shabana Basij-Rasikh
    @sbasijrasikh
    Sep 8, 2021
    Meet courage and bravery in the face. Look at it closely, reasoning with and scaring men with guns. Chanting: “Taliban without women are a failure.” In the midst of so much loss, it feels so great to be an Afghan woman. #DontLookAway
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    Nabih
    @nabihbulos
    Sep 8, 2021
    #Taliban try to stop women protesters in #Kabul's Dashti-E-Barchi. Moments later, they passed.
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