Draft:Raofa Sima Ahrary

Raofa Ahrary in Kabul, Afghanistan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Raofa_Ahrary.jpg Literary teacher in Kabul, Afghanistan 1970

Raofa Sima Ahrary (Ra'ufa' Seema AHraree) is a trailblazing feminist and a beacon of hope hailing from the historic city of Herat, Afghanistan.. With an unwavering commitment to women's empowerment and education, she has carved out a unique space for herself as a pioneer in the realm of women's literature. As the first editor of a women's magazine in Afghanistan, Raofa has not only broken barriers but has also opened the doors to countless voices that had long remained silenced. Her editorial vision has transformed the magazine into a platform for women's stories, struggles, and triumphs, celebrating their resilience in a society that often marginalizes them. Her passion was to write poems.

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  Afghan women and girls fund raising event. Anti War activist Colonel Ann Wright, actresses Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, Feminist Majority Afghan Women activist Mavis Leno, and Nancie Caraway, political scientist and feminist writer.

Growing up in a country steeped in rich literary traditions yet fraught with challenges, Raofa's passion for education blossomed early on. She dedicated herself to teaching literature at an adult women's school in Kabul, where she empowered her students to explore their identities and assert their rights through the written word. In her classroom, she cultivated an environment that encouraged critical thinking and creativity, nurturing the next generation of female leaders and thinkers. Raofa believes that literature is a powerful tool for change, capable of inspiring courage and fostering connections among women from all walks of life.

Raofa Ahrary's journey is a testament to the extraordinary strength and resilience of Afghan women. In the face of societal constraints, she continues to advocate for gender equality, using her platform to challenge norms and ignite conversations about women's rights. Her life's work stands as a reminder that literature is not just an art form; it is a lifeline that can illuminate paths to freedom and self-discovery. As she forges ahead, Raofa remains devoted to uplifting the voices of women everywhere, ensuring they are heard, respected, and celebrated.

Early life

Raofa, born in Herat, Afghanistan, was the wife of Fazil Ahmad Ahrary, a distinguished professor of Pharmacy at Kabul University. Tragically, during the onset of the war with the Soviets in 1979, Fazil Ahmad vanished from the university and was incarcerated in Pul'e Charkhi prison. His niece, Fariba Nawa, a dedicated journalist, uncovered distressing information revealing that Fazil Ahmad was among the prisoners who perished under interrogation. On Sept. 18, Dutch authorities who have been investigating Afghans residing in Holland for war crimes released a list of nearly 5,000 Afghans who had disappeared, then were tortured and killed at the hands of Afghan communists in 1978 and 1979, the beginning of Afghanistan's 35-year war. In the early 1980s, Raofa and her five children sought refuge in the United States. Raofa valiantly battled and survived esophageal cancer, receiving treatment in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following a few years in Bloomington, Indiana, she and her now-adult children relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii. Tragedy struck when her eldest son, Hekmatullah Ahrary, succumbed to complications from Parkinson's disease, and her second son, Anayat, passed away following a heart attack. In 2021, Raofa herself departed leaving behind: Khalil, Fazulluah, and Ariya Ahrary

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  Professor Fazel Ahmad Ahrary