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# Asma Paigeer on escaping the Taliban
- URL: https://www.ceo.com/episodes/public-speaker-asma-paigeer-escaping-afghanistan/
- Published: 2022-11-10T15:00:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-02T02:00:02.000Z
- Description: She lost her family in the crowd, then talked a Marine captain into negotiating with the Taliban.
- Author: Clint Betts

# Asma Paigeer called her sister from a bus outside the Kabul airport

Asma Paigeer was 16 when the Taliban took Kabul on August 15, 2021\. She was enrolled at the [Asian University for Women](https://asian-university.org/?ref=ceo.com) in Chittagong, Bangladesh, and was back home in Afghanistan only because the pandemic had moved her classes online. Her father had worked with U.S. forces for more than a decade.

"As soon as they got the power, they started eliminating, targeting those who worked with the US Forces or for the US government," she told the CEO.com Podcast in an interview recorded November 10, 2022\. "They were not only killing them, but they also started killing their family members. You would have seen these families being killed or denied, and tomorrow we could go and see their corpse and no one took responsibility."

Somewhere in the crowds outside the airport, she was separated from her parents and her younger brother. They had destroyed their phones so the Taliban could not trace them, which meant she could not reach them either. She ended up with her AUW classmates instead, 180 women on seven buses, trying to get to a charter flight. [The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that September](https://www.chronicle.com/article/i-am-hopeful-and-i-am-heartbroken?ref=ceo.com) that bullets had gone through one of the buses, that desperate families had tried to break down the doors to get on board, and that when the suicide bomber hit the crowd on August 26 the students were close enough to see the flames. [The Defense Department puts the toll of that attack](https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3741245/kabul-airport-attack-review-reaffirms-initial-findings-identifies-attacker/?ref=ceo.com) at 13 U.S. service members and roughly 170 Afghans.

The buses went from gate to gate. [She has since written](https://www.asmapaigeer.com/my-story-asma-paigeer?ref=ceo.com) that it was eight attempts over five days, which matches [AUW's account](https://asian-university.org/2021/09/15/auw-plans-placement-of-all-148-evacuated-afghan-students-in-us-colleges-and-universities/?ref=ceo.com); on the podcast she remembered it as seven or eight. Some single attempts ran 24 hours, some 36\. No food, no water, and at certain points no permission to step off the bus. The Taliban would turn them away at one gate, and they would drive around the perimeter to try the next one. By the end, 150 students were left. Paigeer does not know whether all 30 who gave up made it out of the country. Contact was cut once the government fell. Nobody was posting where they were.

"The Taliban threatened us many times that they would shoot us in the head if they ever saw us again. That did not stop us, that did not scare us, some of us."

She was careful about that last part. "As a girl, as a woman, as a young woman, we are the most vulnerable in any point of war," she said. "That is not the worst case scenario that could have happened. There was far worse than death that could have happened to all of us."

On the final night, around 1 a.m., she noticed the Taliban were clearing the road. From her window seat, she could see cars carrying foreign nationals being turned back at the gate and sent away. The AUW buses were not sent away. They were held, blocked from both directions, and the soldiers walking past were screaming at any civilians nearby to leave.

"I knew in my mind that something worse was about to happen, as if they were planning something for us and they didn't want anyone to be a witness there."

The students had been told not to use their phones. She took hers out and called her sister Azada in the United States, and the reason she gives for doing it is not that she expected help. "The only concern at that moment that I had was that I did not want to be disappeared in the middle of Kabul, that no one knew what happened to me or what my story was." Under the first Taliban government, people were taken and never accounted for. "I say, if you are going to even die tonight, I will at least let someone know about it. I want someone to keep a record of it."

Azada told her to hold on. Paigeer did not believe her.

Azada had been calling every friend of their father's who had served with him. One of them, a special forces veteran Paigeer identifies only as Chris, picked up. He wanted a live location, a headcount, and pictures of the surroundings. Pictures meant lifting a phone in view of armed men who had already promised to shoot her.

"If I take my phone and take pictures, the Taliban soldiers will see. And when they notice that I'm breaking the law, they will capture me, and they will immediately shoot me in the head. That was the best scenario that could have happened, or worse than that can happen."

She turned the flash off and took them. The information went from Chris through a chain of people she had never met to an organization, and from there to someone at the Pentagon with the authority to make a deal; whatever the deal was, the gates opened. The Taliban took everything the students had: bags, clothes, computers, and let them through with their passports. Paigeer hid her phone and kept it.

Then they took three of her friends. The explanation was that their names were misspelled on the list and their passport numbers did not match. "We all knew it's not correct. They were making these things up."

She had lost her family that week and was not going to let three more people go. Inside the airport, she went from soldier to soldier asking who was in charge, talked her way to a captain, and got him on the phone with Chris. The same chain of calls ran a second time. The captain walked back out and negotiated with the Taliban. An hour later, the three girls were inside.

"I do not recall this captain's name, but from the bottom of my heart, I'm super grateful for everything he did that day."

[AUW's records](https://asian-university.org/2021/09/15/auw-plans-placement-of-all-148-evacuated-afghan-students-in-us-colleges-and-universities/?ref=ceo.com) match the outline. Its 148 Afghan students and alumnae, plus a few of their sisters, made it into the airport after what the university called a five-day ordeal and were eventually processed through Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. [By February 2022](https://asian-university.org/2022/02/28/auw-celebrates-arrival-of-171-afghan-students-on-campus/?ref=ceo.com), AUW said all 148 had been placed at American universities with full scholarships. Paigeer's own route ran through Saudi Arabia and Spain. She reached the United States in September.

She was the last of the 150 to climb the plane's steps. "Every step I took, I was thinking of my families; I thought of my dad, my mom, my brother, and my sister. And I knew if I got into the plane, I may never be able to see them again." She still believes she should have gone back to look for them. "But I saved myself. That's how selfish I am."

Her parents and brother, it turned out, had moved from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif and were hidden in a safe house run by Mercury One before being flown out through the United Arab Emirates. At the time of the interview, they were in Pennsylvania. She had seen them once, for a few hours. She planned to visit in December, after the semester.

Paigeer is Hazara. "We were the minority, we were being massacred every day in Afghanistan," she said. Her parents pushed education anyway. [On her website](https://www.asmapaigeer.com/my-story-asma-paigeer?ref=ceo.com), she writes that she tested out of several grades, graduated early, and was turned down by Kabul University with an A+ average, which she attributes to being a Hazara woman. Her mother had been one semester from a degree in Persian literature when the Taliban closed the universities to women in the 1990s. "You know how painful it is to study for three and a half years, but never managed to graduate."

"Do not always be self-centered," was the rule in the house. "Be a valued member. And be someone that others can rely on."

She enrolled at [Virginia Tech](https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-fund-my-education-in-computer-science?ref=ceo.com) in August 2022 to study fintech and big data analytics with a minor in computer science, and as an out-of-state student, she has written that she qualified for no scholarships or financial aid. The choice is tied to what she saw at home. Afghanistan has no working formal banking system for most of its people. Money moves through hawala, a network of brokers who settle debts among themselves on trust, with no paper trail and no regulator. The [Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-issues-report-informal-value-transfer-systems?ref=ceo.com) has said since 2002 that the system serves legitimate remittances and is also open to terrorist financing and money laundering. Paigeer's version is blunter. "The Taliban used it. They transferred their money through the hawala system inside Afghanistan and then distributed it."

What she wants to build is a financial system a government can actually see into, then a stock market on top of it, so Afghans invest inside the country rather than abroad. She does not pretend it is close. "I have a long path to go and manage to build the system eventually in the future. But hopefully, no matter how long it takes, I will manage to do that." It is a plan for after the Taliban. "I don't believe that they are capable of any improvement."

Asked what she likes about living here, she did not talk about freedom in the abstract. She talked about courts. "Regardless of which group you are representing, which community you are representing, you will always be heard in the United States. There is a strong government, there is a strong constitution. You can go and claim and then get your rights back."

Her asks are narrow. Do not recognize the Taliban as a government. "If we give them the legitimacy, we accept the violence, the corruption, and the terrorists to be a part of a legal system." And do something for the girls who did not get out. In March 2022, the Taliban announced secondary schools would reopen for everyone, and on the morning of the first day, sent girls above sixth grade home. [The UN Secretary-General called it](https://unama.unmissions.org/statement%E2%80%AF%E2%80%AF%E2%80%AFsecretary-general%E2%80%AF-afghanistan?ref=ceo.com) "deeply damaging for Afghanistan." Paigeer's suggestion is to find one Afghan woman and mentor her.

She is still raising money for her own tuition. [The fund is here.](https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-fund-my-education-in-computer-science?ref=ceo.com) As of this writing, it stands at just under $30,000 of a $100,000 goal. Her earlier interviews, including [one with Glenn Beck from October 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkHUjXCZDUM&ref=ceo.com), are collected at [asmapaigeer.com](https://www.asmapaigeer.com/?ref=ceo.com).

```chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to Asma's Story
00:01:15 Misconceptions About Afghanistan and Women
00:04:01 The Day the Taliban Seized Power
00:07:07 Days Trapped at Kabul Airport
00:11:09 Her Sister's Fight to Get Her Out
00:16:01 Sending Secret Photos for Rescue
00:18:37 Three Friends Taken Hostage
00:23:02 Boarding the Plane and Leaving Family
00:26:13 Reuniting With Family in America
00:28:16 Studying Fintech at Virginia Tech
00:29:05 Fixing Afghanistan's Corrupt Hawala System
00:32:12 Finding Courage and Resilience
00:37:03 Cultural Differences Between Afghanistan and America
00:39:30 How to Help Afghan Women
00:41:53 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
```

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And<00:03:17.133> then<00:03:18.319> unfortunately<00:03:19.057> in<00:03:19.201> 2021,<00:03:20.083> the<00:03:20.243> Taliban<00:03:20.740> seized<00:03:21.285> the<00:03:21.445> power<00:03:21.846> in<00:03:21.942> Afghanistan<00:03:23.128> and<00:03:23.305> once<00:03:23.625> again<00:03:24.267> the<00:03:24.411> history<00:03:24.892> of<00:03:25.052> Afghanistan<00:03:25.693> falls<00:03:26.110> into<00:03:26.735> a<00:03:26.912> a<00:03:27.072> dark<00:03:27.473> chapter,<00:03:28.741> and<00:03:28.998> women<00:03:29.464> are<00:03:29.640> being<00:03:29.961> deprived<00:03:30.844> from<00:03:31.165> their<00:03:31.390> basic<00:03:31.791> rights<00:03:32.193> right<00:03:32.369> now.

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As<00:03:33.156> we<00:03:33.252> can<00:03:33.412> see<00:03:33.717> on<00:03:33.814> the<00:03:33.894> media,<00:03:34.295> they<00:03:34.392> are<00:03:34.472> not<00:03:34.697> being<00:03:35.339> allowed<00:03:35.724> to<00:03:35.820> go<00:03:36.045> to<00:03:36.125> school,<00:03:37.024> even<00:03:37.345> in<00:03:37.425> a<00:03:37.506> very,<00:03:38.533> uh,<00:03:39.111> primary<00:03:39.737> level.

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And<00:03:40.796> then,<00:03:41.342> um,<00:03:41.856> not<00:03:42.385> apart<00:03:42.883> from<00:03:43.188> that<00:03:43.910> is<00:03:44.231> even<00:03:44.408> they<00:03:44.488> are<00:03:44.713> targeting<00:03:45.917> those<00:03:46.270> education<00:03:46.960> institutes<00:03:47.779> that<00:03:48.324> are<00:03:48.421> focusing<00:03:48.999> about<00:03:49.400> women's<00:03:50.363> education,<00:03:51.069> or,<00:03:51.856> or<00:03:52.177> they<00:03:52.353> are<00:03:52.578> like<00:03:52.835> teaching<00:03:53.814> the<00:03:53.958> girls<00:03:54.440> in<00:03:54.601> Afghanistan.

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And<00:03:55.467> it's<00:03:55.869> very<00:03:56.302> sad<00:03:56.992> and<00:03:59.050> Heartbreaking,<00:03:59.472> in<00:03:59.570> a<00:03:59.651> sense.

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Yeah.

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So<00:04:02.251> how<00:04:02.413> did<00:04:02.641> you<00:04:02.738> get<00:04:02.901> out<00:04:02.982> of<00:04:03.063> there?

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What<00:04:03.535> happened<00:04:04.103> once<00:04:04.428> the<00:04:04.510> Taliban<00:04:05.176> took<00:04:05.485> over?

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I<00:04:06.612> know<00:04:06.837> that<00:04:06.997> your,<00:04:07.319> your<00:04:07.496> father<00:04:08.042> worked<00:04:08.283> with<00:04:08.380> the<00:04:08.444> United<00:04:08.782> States<00:04:10.084> forces<00:04:10.791> for,<00:04:11.273> for,<00:04:11.675> for<00:04:11.916> a,<00:04:12.414> for<00:04:12.720> a<00:04:12.864> while,<00:04:13.748> which<00:04:13.909> means<00:04:14.150> you<00:04:14.247> kind<00:04:14.472> of<00:04:14.552> had<00:04:14.664> to<00:04:14.729> get<00:04:14.954> out<00:04:15.131> of<00:04:15.340> there<00:04:15.762> once<00:04:16.087> the<00:04:16.185> Taliban<00:04:16.737> took<00:04:16.981> over.

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How<00:04:17.956> did<00:04:18.118> this<00:04:18.362> happen?

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How<00:04:18.947> did<00:04:19.110> you<00:04:19.272> get<00:04:19.418> out?

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It's<00:04:23.030> honestly,<00:04:23.452> it's<00:04:23.678> a<00:04:23.776> long<00:04:24.035> story,<00:04:24.666> but<00:04:24.974> as<00:04:25.217> you<00:04:25.298> mentioned,<00:04:25.800> yes,<00:04:26.270> my<00:04:26.513> dad<00:04:27.216> worked<00:04:27.858> for<00:04:27.954> a<00:04:28.034> very<00:04:28.275> long<00:04:28.500> time.

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Actually,<00:04:29.318> it's<00:04:29.864> been<00:04:30.185> like<00:04:30.988> over<00:04:31.244> a<00:04:31.389> decade<00:04:31.806> that<00:04:32.031> he<00:04:32.127> was<00:04:32.352> working<00:04:32.673> with<00:04:32.769> the<00:04:32.930> U.S.<00:04:33.251> forces<00:04:34.214> for<00:04:34.438> the<00:04:34.599> U.S.<00:04:34.856> government,<00:04:36.284> and<00:04:36.525> more<00:04:36.685> importantly,<00:04:37.408> he<00:04:37.584> was<00:04:38.290> constantly<00:04:39.815> working<00:04:40.297> to<00:04:40.714> ensure<00:04:41.340> the<00:04:41.516> peace<00:04:41.837> and<00:04:42.014> stability<00:04:42.720> will<00:04:43.025> be<00:04:43.747> in<00:04:43.844> Afghanistan<00:04:44.566> so<00:04:44.726> that<00:04:45.128> we<00:04:45.272> all<00:04:45.449> can<00:04:45.689> live<00:04:46.091> in<00:04:46.251> a<00:04:46.893> prosperous<00:04:47.455> country.

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And<00:04:48.482> I,<00:04:48.899> I<00:04:49.060> value<00:04:49.461> the<00:04:49.622> work<00:04:49.927> my<00:04:50.039> father<00:04:50.488> did<00:04:51.227> and<00:04:51.628> who<00:04:51.788> works<00:04:52.270> along<00:04:53.130> alongside<00:04:53.885> my<00:04:54.046> father,<00:04:54.448> like<00:04:54.754> the<00:04:54.851> US<00:04:55.156> forces.

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I<00:04:56.041> value<00:04:56.379> their<00:04:56.604> works<00:04:57.344> because<00:04:57.681> of<00:04:57.826> their<00:04:58.051> presence.

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We<00:04:58.695> had<00:04:58.888> a<00:04:59.033> great,<00:04:59.901> great<00:05:00.159> country<00:05:00.561> and<00:05:00.786> great<00:05:00.979> opportunity,<00:05:01.687> and<00:05:02.169> it<00:05:02.250> was<00:05:02.410> a<00:05:02.620> great<00:05:02.877> area<00:05:03.135> that<00:05:03.296> I<00:05:03.457> grew<00:05:03.763> up<00:05:03.957> in.

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And<00:05:05.052> then<00:05:07.485> back<00:05:08.452> to<00:05:08.597> how<00:05:08.774> I<00:05:09.016> escaped<00:05:09.902> from<00:05:10.224> Afghanistan.

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Well,<00:05:11.207> the<00:05:11.352> day<00:05:11.677> that<00:05:12.084> Taliban<00:05:12.507> seized<00:05:14.037> the<00:05:14.183> power<00:05:14.525> in<00:05:14.687> Afghanistan<00:05:15.989> is<00:05:16.152> on<00:05:16.542> August<00:05:17.111> 15th,<00:05:17.844> 2021.

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And<00:05:20.067> it<00:05:20.885> was<00:05:21.687> kind<00:05:21.927> of<00:05:22.088> a<00:05:22.264> tough<00:05:23.050> situation<00:05:23.771> to<00:05:23.851> be<00:05:24.092> in<00:05:24.973> because<00:05:25.855> they,<00:05:26.721> as<00:05:26.817> soon<00:05:27.058> as<00:05:27.218> they<00:05:27.443> get<00:05:27.683> the<00:05:27.843> power,<00:05:28.741> they<00:05:28.902> start<00:05:29.607> eliminating,<00:05:30.745> like<00:05:31.307> targeting<00:05:31.948> those<00:05:32.333> who<00:05:32.493> work<00:05:32.750> with<00:05:32.894> the<00:05:32.990> US<00:05:33.230> forces<00:05:33.952> or<00:05:34.096> for<00:05:34.241> US<00:05:34.978> government<00:05:35.700> or<00:05:36.581> previously<00:05:37.159> worked<00:05:37.575> for<00:05:38.040> stability<00:05:38.762> of<00:05:40.285> the<00:05:40.429> former<00:05:40.830> government.

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And<00:05:42.209> they<00:05:42.449> were<00:05:42.995> not<00:05:43.411> killing<00:05:43.957> only<00:05:44.277> them,<00:05:44.678> but<00:05:44.838> they<00:05:45.079> also<00:05:45.400> start<00:05:46.121> killing<00:05:46.939> their<00:05:47.099> family<00:05:47.596> members.

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So<00:05:48.622> you<00:05:48.783> would<00:05:49.088> have<00:05:49.425> seen<00:05:49.906> this,<00:05:50.612> like,<00:05:51.270> these<00:05:51.495> families<00:05:52.056> are<00:05:52.152> being<00:05:52.473> killed<00:05:52.939> over<00:05:53.179> the<00:05:53.260> night<00:05:53.597> and<00:05:54.238> tomorrow<00:05:54.720> you<00:05:55.121> could<00:05:55.442> go<00:05:55.682> and<00:05:55.779> see<00:05:56.084> their<00:05:56.308> corpse<00:05:57.046> and<00:05:57.127> no<00:05:57.271> one<00:05:57.431> take<00:05:57.608> responsibility.

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And<00:05:58.795> that<00:05:59.036> was<00:05:59.196> the<00:05:59.293> problem.

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And<00:06:00.496> Taliban<00:06:00.961> would<00:06:01.218> always<00:06:01.539> claim<00:06:01.860> that<00:06:02.181> it's<00:06:02.421> not<00:06:02.742> what<00:06:02.983> we<00:06:03.208> did.

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So<00:06:03.946> if<00:06:04.090> that's<00:06:04.507> not<00:06:04.732> what<00:06:04.892> you<00:06:05.069> did,<00:06:05.310> then<00:06:05.711> who<00:06:05.807> did<00:06:06.048> it?

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So<00:06:07.299> it<00:06:07.396> was<00:06:07.636> a<00:06:07.877> tough<00:06:08.374> situation<00:06:09.000> for<00:06:09.241> my<00:06:09.401> family<00:06:10.508> and<00:06:10.845> for<00:06:10.990> myself<00:06:11.503> to<00:06:11.712> be<00:06:11.968> in.

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We<00:06:13.429> knew<00:06:13.814> we<00:06:14.199> had<00:06:14.439> to<00:06:14.520> leave<00:06:14.841> Afghanistan<00:06:16.044> and<00:06:17.103> The<00:06:17.328> only<00:06:17.585> way<00:06:18.051> left<00:06:19.014> to<00:06:19.110> escape<00:06:19.432> from<00:06:19.672> Afghanistan<00:06:20.395> was<00:06:20.700> through<00:06:20.957> the<00:06:21.198> airport.

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And<00:06:22.868> as<00:06:22.964> some<00:06:23.221> of<00:06:23.430> you<00:06:24.473> may<00:06:24.794> already<00:06:25.212> witnessed<00:06:25.934> what<00:06:26.111> was<00:06:26.320> happening<00:06:26.737> around<00:06:27.058> the<00:06:27.203> Kabul<00:06:27.620> airport,<00:06:28.985> it<00:06:29.210> was<00:06:30.029> a<00:06:30.045> mass<00:06:30.575> of<00:06:30.751> crowds.

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Everyone<00:06:32.421> was<00:06:32.582> trying<00:06:32.983> to<00:06:33.064> escape<00:06:33.385> from<00:06:33.561> Afghanistan.

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Everyone<00:06:35.087> was<00:06:35.247> scared.

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And<00:06:37.174> it's,<00:06:38.459> it<00:06:38.539> was<00:06:38.699> a<00:06:38.860> tough<00:06:39.037> situation.

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I<00:06:40.289> had<00:06:40.530> a<00:06:41.252> difficult<00:06:42.232> experience<00:06:43.035> those<00:06:43.341> days.

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And<00:06:45.365> at<00:06:45.445> the<00:06:45.606> point<00:06:47.374> that<00:06:47.599> we<00:06:47.679> were<00:06:47.775> trying<00:06:48.161> to<00:06:48.241> get<00:06:48.482> out<00:06:48.579> of<00:06:49.944> Afghanistan,<00:06:50.908> in<00:06:50.989> the<00:06:51.214> crowds,<00:06:51.792> I<00:06:51.872> get<00:06:52.435> separated<00:06:53.078> from<00:06:53.302> my<00:06:53.415> family,<00:06:54.267> and<00:06:55.086> I<00:06:55.166> did<00:06:55.327> not<00:06:55.568> know<00:06:55.809> where<00:06:56.050> they<00:06:56.612> go<00:06:57.094> or<00:06:57.175> how<00:06:57.480> they<00:06:57.817> are.

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And<00:06:58.942> I<00:06:59.087> did<00:06:59.264> not—<00:06:59.585> I<00:06:59.665> lost<00:06:59.987> contact<00:07:00.469> with<00:07:00.629> them<00:07:01.352> because<00:07:01.674> they<00:07:01.818> had<00:07:01.931> to<00:07:02.059> destroy<00:07:02.477> their<00:07:03.200> cell<00:07:03.441> phones<00:07:03.843> or<00:07:03.987> any<00:07:04.164> methods<00:07:04.630> of<00:07:04.791> contact<00:07:05.691> because<00:07:06.012> of<00:07:06.076> security<00:07:06.735> purposes.

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And<00:07:07.779> then<00:07:08.406> I<00:07:08.582> end<00:07:08.743> up<00:07:08.887> being<00:07:09.224> with<00:07:09.449> my<00:07:09.626> colleagues<00:07:10.268> from<00:07:10.814> Asian<00:07:11.135> University<00:07:11.616> for<00:07:11.857> Women.

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We<00:07:12.756> all<00:07:13.382> came<00:07:13.719> to<00:07:13.864> Afghanistan<00:07:14.602> back<00:07:15.469> or<00:07:15.549> returned<00:07:15.967> back<00:07:16.207> to<00:07:16.288> Afghanistan<00:07:16.930> a<00:07:17.154> year<00:07:17.331> ago<00:07:18.134> because<00:07:18.471> of<00:07:18.760> COVID<00:07:19.803> We<00:07:19.964> were<00:07:20.205> all<00:07:20.558> studying<00:07:21.408> in<00:07:21.970> Bangladesh.

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So<00:07:24.218> I<00:07:24.378> kind<00:07:24.571> of<00:07:24.699> joined<00:07:25.117> them<00:07:25.823> in<00:07:26.176> 7<00:07:26.706> buses<00:07:28.151> and<00:07:28.488> we<00:07:29.194> all<00:07:30.318> tried<00:07:30.639> to<00:07:30.960> enter<00:07:31.281> Kabul<00:07:31.522> Airport<00:07:32.180> and<00:07:32.276> the<00:07:32.421> plan<00:07:32.726> was<00:07:33.785> to<00:07:33.946> get<00:07:34.170> into<00:07:34.427> a<00:07:34.507> charter<00:07:34.844> flight<00:07:35.294> and<00:07:35.952> fly<00:07:36.337> out<00:07:36.449> of<00:07:36.594> Afghanistan.

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But<00:07:37.957> unfortunately,<00:07:39.064> every<00:07:39.321> time<00:07:39.578> that<00:07:39.786> we<00:07:39.899> attempt<00:07:40.364> to<00:07:40.524> enter,<00:07:41.246> there<00:07:41.471> were<00:07:41.567> several<00:07:42.193> gates<00:07:42.754> of<00:07:42.931> the<00:07:43.156> Taliban<00:07:44.840> and<00:07:45.321> they<00:07:45.418> were<00:07:45.578> like<00:07:45.963> denying,<00:07:46.846> they<00:07:46.926> were<00:07:46.958> not<00:07:47.263> letting<00:07:47.648> us,<00:07:47.904> they<00:07:47.985> were<00:07:48.065> not<00:07:48.370> giving<00:07:48.626> us<00:07:48.787> the<00:07:48.867> permission<00:07:49.348> to<00:07:49.509> pass<00:07:49.814> those<00:07:50.054> gates.

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And<00:07:51.033> we<00:07:51.097> had<00:07:51.274> to<00:07:51.434> encounter<00:07:52.076> a<00:07:52.220> lot<00:07:52.381> of<00:07:52.557> the<00:07:52.701> Taliban<00:07:53.038> soldiers,<00:07:54.161> and<00:07:54.242> every<00:07:54.482> time<00:07:54.723> they<00:07:54.867> are<00:07:55.028> turning<00:07:55.365> us<00:07:55.525> from<00:07:55.766> one<00:07:56.006> gate,<00:07:56.552> we<00:07:56.632> have<00:07:56.873> to<00:07:56.969> go<00:07:57.210> around<00:07:57.755> the,<00:07:58.172> the<00:07:58.317> Kabul<00:07:58.589> airport<00:07:59.039> to<00:07:59.135> another<00:07:59.536> gate<00:07:59.696> and<00:08:00.483> give<00:08:00.643> a<00:08:00.739> try<00:08:00.980> from<00:08:01.285> there.

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From<00:08:02.184> that<00:08:02.666> gate.

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And<00:08:03.388> it<00:08:03.533> takes<00:08:03.854> us<00:08:04.095> like<00:08:04.352> 7<00:08:04.914> to<00:08:05.300> 8<00:08:05.541> days<00:08:06.103> and<00:08:06.199> nights.

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It's—<00:08:07.661> some<00:08:07.966> of<00:08:08.110> our<00:08:08.448> attempts<00:08:09.010> lasted<00:08:10.070> 24<00:08:10.680> hours,<00:08:11.258> 36<00:08:11.965> hours.

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We<00:08:13.266> did<00:08:13.362> not<00:08:13.571> have<00:08:13.812> any<00:08:14.229> food<00:08:14.631> to<00:08:14.856> eat<00:08:15.257> or<00:08:15.498> any<00:08:15.755> water<00:08:16.141> to<00:08:16.317> drink,<00:08:16.863> or<00:08:17.281> we<00:08:17.426> are<00:08:17.458> not<00:08:17.763> allowed<00:08:18.004> to<00:08:18.084> even<00:08:18.566> leave<00:08:18.743> the<00:08:18.871> buses<00:08:19.690> at<00:08:19.787> certain<00:08:20.252> points.

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And<00:08:21.457> then,<00:08:22.662> but<00:08:23.465> the<00:08:23.625> point<00:08:24.107> is<00:08:24.268> that<00:08:24.589> we<00:08:24.814> did<00:08:24.990> not<00:08:25.151> give<00:08:25.376> up,<00:08:25.697> although<00:08:25.890> some<00:08:26.195> of<00:08:26.339> us<00:08:26.580> did,<00:08:27.560> like<00:08:28.042> In<00:08:28.106> the<00:08:28.186> first<00:08:28.507> day,<00:08:28.620> it<00:08:28.764> was<00:08:29.005> 180<00:08:29.903> students,<00:08:31.171> but<00:08:31.396> on<00:08:31.492> the<00:08:31.637> last<00:08:31.974> day,<00:08:32.359> it<00:08:32.455> was<00:08:32.680> 150<00:08:33.595> students.

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Some<00:08:35.119> of<00:08:35.264> them<00:08:35.825> lose<00:08:36.226> hope<00:08:36.628> because<00:08:36.949> we<00:08:37.109> constantly<00:08:37.911> were<00:08:38.136> being<00:08:38.794> tortured<00:08:39.436> on<00:08:39.532> those<00:08:39.741> buses<00:08:40.319> and<00:08:41.282> with<00:08:41.747> uncertain<00:08:42.405> future,<00:08:42.951> with<00:08:43.272> uncertainty<00:08:44.010> whether<00:08:44.331> we<00:08:44.491> can<00:08:44.876> pass<00:08:45.133> or<00:08:45.294> we<00:08:45.374> cannot<00:08:45.775> pass,<00:08:46.160> but<00:08:47.444> we<00:08:48.022> keep<00:08:48.263> trying.

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And<00:08:49.723> some<00:08:50.028> of<00:08:50.188> us<00:08:50.349> get<00:08:50.574> scared,<00:08:50.911> and<00:08:51.055> I<00:08:51.087> value<00:08:51.713> their<00:08:52.997> decisions.

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On<00:08:55.077> that<00:08:55.421> moment,<00:08:55.897> that<00:08:56.142> time,<00:08:56.470> we<00:08:56.568> didn't<00:08:57.142> know<00:08:57.387> what's<00:08:57.633> gonna<00:08:57.862> happen.

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And<00:09:00.119> the<00:09:00.168> Talibans<00:09:01.467> threatened<00:09:01.889> us<00:09:02.116> many<00:09:02.375> times<00:09:02.765> that<00:09:02.862> they<00:09:03.008> will<00:09:03.106> shoot<00:09:03.495> us<00:09:03.917> in<00:09:04.080> our<00:09:04.388> head<00:09:04.810> if<00:09:04.907> they<00:09:05.037> ever<00:09:05.200> saw<00:09:05.459> us<00:09:05.784> again.

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But<00:09:07.125> they<00:09:07.288> did<00:09:07.452> not<00:09:07.680> stop<00:09:08.251> us.

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They<00:09:08.773> did<00:09:08.985> not<00:09:09.165> threaten<00:09:09.638> us.

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They<00:09:11.419> scared<00:09:11.580> us,<00:09:11.983> some<00:09:12.209> of<00:09:12.370> us.

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And<00:09:13.644> then,<00:09:15.997> to<00:09:16.094> be<00:09:16.239> honest,<00:09:16.787> as<00:09:16.948> a<00:09:17.045> girl,<00:09:17.529> as<00:09:17.690> a<00:09:17.770> woman,<00:09:18.335> as<00:09:18.496> a<00:09:18.576> young<00:09:18.818> woman,<00:09:20.357> We<00:09:20.438> are<00:09:20.534> the<00:09:20.679> most<00:09:21.082> vulnerable,<00:09:21.904> uh,<00:09:24.224> we<00:09:24.465> are<00:09:24.626> the<00:09:24.707> most<00:09:24.949> vulnerable<00:09:25.367> in<00:09:25.674> any<00:09:25.915> kind<00:09:26.189> of<00:09:26.398> war<00:09:26.914> circumstances.

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And<00:09:29.426> on<00:09:29.474> my<00:09:29.927> point<00:09:30.185> of<00:09:30.250> view<00:09:30.654> or<00:09:30.800> opinion,<00:09:32.254> that<00:09:32.594> is<00:09:32.772> not<00:09:33.160> the<00:09:33.321> worst<00:09:33.726> case<00:09:33.968> scenario<00:09:34.388> that<00:09:34.598> could<00:09:34.712> have<00:09:34.938> happened.

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There<00:09:35.972> were<00:09:36.457> far<00:09:36.716> worse<00:09:36.959> than<00:09:37.120> that<00:09:37.363> that<00:09:37.524> could<00:09:37.670> have<00:09:37.831> happened<00:09:38.171> to<00:09:38.220> all<00:09:38.397> of<00:09:38.575> us.

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But<00:09:39.447> I'm<00:09:39.947> thankful<00:09:40.432> to<00:09:40.658> God<00:09:40.997> and<00:09:41.158> to<00:09:41.626> all<00:09:41.869> those<00:09:42.434> people<00:09:42.773> who<00:09:42.934> helped<00:09:43.322> us<00:09:43.500> to<00:09:43.629> escape<00:09:43.968> from<00:09:44.145> Afghanistan,<00:09:45.114> and<00:09:45.260> those<00:09:45.518> bad<00:09:45.760> consequences<00:09:46.471> did<00:09:46.567> not<00:09:46.632> happen.

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What<00:09:48.715> happened<00:09:49.043> to<00:09:49.141> the<00:09:49.469> 30<00:09:50.206> people<00:09:50.599> who<00:09:50.780> left?

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Um,<00:09:54.886> well,<00:09:55.611> we,<00:09:56.336> we<00:09:56.835> left<00:09:57.174> Afghanistan.

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It<00:09:58.044> was<00:09:58.205> 150<00:09:59.252> of<00:09:59.413> us.

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Like,<00:10:01.346> you<00:10:01.443> said<00:10:01.668> you<00:10:01.733> had—<00:10:01.894> there<00:10:01.991> was<00:10:02.120> like<00:10:02.216> 180<00:10:02.956> and<00:10:03.036> then<00:10:03.181> 150<00:10:03.824> of<00:10:03.985> you<00:10:04.162> stuck<00:10:04.564> with<00:10:04.821> it.

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The<00:10:05.384> 30<00:10:05.931> who,<00:10:06.477> um,<00:10:07.523> uh,<00:10:07.860> left<00:10:08.407> or<00:10:08.729> got<00:10:08.970> off<00:10:09.147> the<00:10:09.308> bus<00:10:09.629> or<00:10:09.693> something<00:10:09.951> like<00:10:10.112> that,<00:10:10.353> do<00:10:10.433> you<00:10:10.530> know<00:10:10.755> what<00:10:10.916> happened<00:10:11.302> to<00:10:11.398> them?

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I<00:10:15.404> know<00:10:15.726> kind<00:10:16.032> of<00:10:16.129> what<00:10:16.290> happened<00:10:16.693> to<00:10:17.079> them.

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They<00:10:17.820> went<00:10:18.126> back<00:10:18.383> to<00:10:18.545> their<00:10:18.689> families<00:10:19.913> and<00:10:20.219> their<00:10:20.397> relatives.

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And<00:10:23.174> later<00:10:23.512> some<00:10:23.881> of<00:10:24.042> them<00:10:24.219> managed<00:10:24.620> to<00:10:25.006> go<00:10:25.263> back<00:10:25.504> to<00:10:25.665> Bangladesh.

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But<00:10:27.497> I'm<00:10:27.593> not<00:10:27.770> saying<00:10:28.380> all<00:10:28.477> 30<00:10:28.894> of<00:10:29.055> them<00:10:29.360> go<00:10:29.521> back<00:10:29.746> to<00:10:29.842> Bangladesh<00:10:30.437> because<00:10:30.790> I'm<00:10:31.610> not<00:10:31.771> sure<00:10:32.012> if<00:10:32.317> all<00:10:32.494> of<00:10:32.655> them<00:10:32.896> get<00:10:33.057> out<00:10:33.234> of<00:10:33.379> Afghanistan.

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As<00:10:34.585> you<00:10:34.681> know,<00:10:35.148> we<00:10:35.309> lost<00:10:35.630> contact.

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Yeah.

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And<00:10:37.785> as<00:10:37.898> soon<00:10:38.187> as<00:10:38.284> the<00:10:38.429> government<00:10:38.847> collapsed,<00:10:39.249> everyone<00:10:39.635> was<00:10:40.815> For<00:10:40.975> safety<00:10:41.377> reasons,<00:10:41.923> they<00:10:41.955> stop<00:10:42.324> using<00:10:43.143> the<00:10:43.223> social<00:10:43.625> media<00:10:44.187> or<00:10:44.749> stop<00:10:45.551> getting<00:10:45.873> in<00:10:45.953> contact<00:10:46.402> with<00:10:46.515> people,<00:10:47.221> uh,<00:10:47.719> or<00:10:47.944> updating<00:10:48.426> where<00:10:48.666> they<00:10:48.843> are,<00:10:49.068> how<00:10:49.261> it<00:10:49.469> went,<00:10:50.112> or<00:10:50.192> what<00:10:50.368> happened,<00:10:51.011> or<00:10:51.155> what's<00:10:51.653> their<00:10:51.878> story,<00:10:52.681> just<00:10:52.921> for<00:10:53.965> to<00:10:54.045> make<00:10:54.286> sure<00:10:54.463> that<00:10:54.623> they<00:10:54.688> are<00:10:54.800> safe<00:10:55.282> or<00:10:55.571> their<00:10:56.149> family<00:10:56.550> are<00:10:56.695> safe.

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As<00:10:57.257> you<00:10:57.289> know<00:10:57.530> that<00:10:58.702> the<00:10:58.798> Talibans<00:10:59.264> are<00:10:59.376> monitoring<00:10:59.986> this<00:11:00.099> social<00:11:00.548> media<00:11:00.982> very<00:11:02.266> massively,<00:11:03.792> so<00:11:03.936> it's<00:11:04.193> not<00:11:04.402> safe.

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So<00:11:06.119> how<00:11:06.284> did<00:11:06.514> you<00:11:06.678> eventually<00:11:07.187> get<00:11:07.417> out?

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Well,<00:11:09.904> again,<00:11:10.290> I,<00:11:10.645> at<00:11:10.774> this<00:11:11.031> point,<00:11:11.337> I<00:11:11.434> have<00:11:11.660> to<00:11:11.756> be<00:11:11.982> really<00:11:12.240> grateful<00:11:12.707> to<00:11:12.803> some<00:11:13.045> individuals,<00:11:14.189> some<00:11:14.495> organizations,<00:11:15.799> mostly,<00:11:16.653> um,<00:11:17.330> I'm<00:11:17.813> starting<00:11:18.183> with<00:11:18.280> my<00:11:18.490> sister.

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She<00:11:19.397> is<00:11:19.753> my<00:11:19.980> hero.

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She's<00:11:21.357> my<00:11:21.454> personal<00:11:21.924> hero.

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Her<00:11:22.507> name<00:11:22.734> is<00:11:23.042> Azadeh,<00:11:24.597> and<00:11:24.678> she<00:11:24.905> was<00:11:25.245> in,<00:11:25.569> um,<00:11:26.363> United<00:11:26.622> States<00:11:27.741> when<00:11:27.919> that<00:11:28.162> called,<00:11:28.957> when<00:11:29.135> the<00:11:29.540> Afghanistan<00:11:30.270> government<00:11:30.740> collapsed.

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So,<00:11:32.297> uh,<00:11:32.378> she<00:11:33.226> She<00:11:33.403> start<00:11:33.788> contacting<00:11:34.527> all<00:11:34.671> of<00:11:34.767> my<00:11:34.928> father<00:11:35.731> friends<00:11:36.678> who<00:11:36.838> are<00:11:37.095> work<00:11:37.480> with<00:11:37.641> my<00:11:37.737> father<00:11:38.299> and<00:11:38.620> those<00:11:38.925> who<00:11:39.086> are<00:11:39.343> in<00:11:39.808> this<00:11:40.145> military.

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And<00:11:41.831> then<00:11:42.072> some<00:11:42.377> of<00:11:42.537> them<00:11:42.778> are<00:11:42.874> still<00:11:43.260> in<00:11:43.340> the<00:11:43.500> US<00:11:43.757> military,<00:11:44.223> but<00:11:44.335> some<00:11:44.544> of<00:11:44.704> them<00:11:45.025> left,<00:11:46.807> retired,<00:11:47.610> but<00:11:48.252> they<00:11:48.300> were<00:11:48.493> working<00:11:48.878> with<00:11:48.958> some<00:11:49.215> organization<00:11:50.082> who<00:11:50.259> were<00:11:50.965> actively<00:11:51.864> evacuating<00:11:53.132> those<00:11:53.614> who<00:11:54.657> are<00:11:55.380> in<00:11:55.476> danger,<00:11:56.263> minorities,<00:11:57.065> women,<00:11:57.627> ethnic<00:11:57.884> minorities,<00:11:58.590> religious<00:11:59.072> minorities.

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And<00:12:00.612> people<00:12:00.933> like<00:12:01.157> my<00:12:01.318> father<00:12:01.814> who<00:12:02.359> lost<00:12:02.680> contact<00:12:03.081> with<00:12:03.642> everyone.

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And<00:12:05.405> the<00:12:05.661> organization<00:12:06.367> is<00:12:06.543> More<00:12:06.783> Cuban,<00:12:07.729> and<00:12:07.970> this,<00:12:08.370> um,<00:12:09.092> my<00:12:09.268> friend's,<00:12:10.134> my<00:12:10.230> father's<00:12:10.614> friend's<00:12:10.951> name<00:12:11.272> is<00:12:11.496> Chris.

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So<00:12:13.339> Azadeh<00:12:13.676> contact,<00:12:14.798> of<00:12:14.942> course,<00:12:15.503> Chris<00:12:15.696> is<00:12:15.840> just<00:12:16.225> only<00:12:16.385> one<00:12:16.577> of<00:12:16.738> them.

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There<00:12:17.202> are<00:12:17.363> many<00:12:17.587> of<00:12:17.763> them.

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Yes.

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And<00:12:19.126> then<00:12:19.591> Azadeh<00:12:19.927> contacted<00:12:20.568> Chris<00:12:20.969> and<00:12:21.210> he<00:12:21.530> responded<00:12:22.155> to<00:12:22.957> her<00:12:23.277> call<00:12:23.678> and<00:12:23.838> then<00:12:24.976> they<00:12:25.297> kind<00:12:25.602> of<00:12:26.018> get<00:12:26.243> in<00:12:26.419> touch,<00:12:26.980> um,<00:12:28.104> and<00:12:28.249> say<00:12:28.426> that,<00:12:28.733> okay,<00:12:29.377> here<00:12:29.571> is<00:12:29.716> my<00:12:29.877> sister,<00:12:30.989> she's<00:12:31.247> stuck<00:12:31.569> in<00:12:31.730> Kabul<00:12:32.068> Airport<00:12:32.778> and<00:12:33.406> she's<00:12:33.728> with<00:12:33.889> her<00:12:33.986> friends.

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It's<00:12:35.179> 150<00:12:36.001> of<00:12:36.130> them.

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The<00:12:36.565> Taliban<00:12:37.049> are<00:12:37.226> not<00:12:37.533> letting<00:12:37.839> them<00:12:38.001> to<00:12:38.097> pass<00:12:38.339> the<00:12:38.485> gates.

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And<00:12:40.033> going<00:12:40.340> back<00:12:40.598> to<00:12:40.823> the<00:12:40.985> moment<00:12:41.307> that<00:12:41.485> we<00:12:41.565> were<00:12:41.727> stuck<00:12:42.130> on<00:12:42.275> the<00:12:42.372> gates,<00:12:43.404> it<00:12:43.727> was<00:12:46.383> 1<00:12:47.204> AM<00:12:47.526> in<00:12:47.590> the<00:12:47.671> morning.

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And<00:12:50.005> I<00:12:50.182> noticed<00:12:50.665> that<00:12:51.776> this<00:12:52.017> time<00:12:52.355> is<00:12:52.516> different<00:12:52.838> from<00:12:53.225> all<00:12:53.370> the<00:12:53.483> previous<00:12:53.886> times<00:12:54.694> because<00:12:55.017> the<00:12:55.178> Taliban<00:12:55.905> are<00:12:55.986> not<00:12:56.292> letting<00:12:56.405> us<00:12:56.454> to<00:12:56.518> pass<00:12:56.567> the<00:12:56.615> gate<00:12:56.761> and<00:12:56.809> enter<00:12:56.954> the<00:12:57.197> Kabul<00:12:57.374> Airport.

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But<00:13:00.183> they<00:13:00.555> also<00:13:01.443> are<00:13:01.540> not<00:13:02.025> letting<00:13:02.413> us<00:13:02.736> to<00:13:04.999> leave<00:13:05.257> the<00:13:05.322> area.

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You<00:13:07.338> know<00:13:07.402> what<00:13:07.547> I'm<00:13:07.724> trying<00:13:08.030> to<00:13:08.063> say?

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Somehow<00:13:09.174> you're<00:13:09.287> kind<00:13:09.399> of<00:13:09.432> lost.

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Yeah,<00:13:10.124> you<00:13:10.205> were<00:13:10.317> stuck<00:13:10.768> there.

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Yes,<00:13:11.896> stuck<00:13:12.218> us.

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We<00:13:12.733> stuck<00:13:13.104> there<00:13:13.587> because<00:13:13.845> they<00:13:13.990> blocked<00:13:14.328> us<00:13:14.473> from<00:13:14.650> both<00:13:14.892> ways.

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And<00:13:16.083> it<00:13:16.245> was<00:13:16.406> 1<00:13:16.745> AM<00:13:16.906> in<00:13:16.987> the<00:13:17.212> morning<00:13:17.551> that<00:13:17.713> I<00:13:18.035> noticed<00:13:18.520> that<00:13:19.230> these<00:13:19.407> Taliban<00:13:19.746> soldiers<00:13:20.521> are<00:13:20.617> walking<00:13:21.085> by<00:13:21.263> our<00:13:21.505> passes<00:13:22.231> and<00:13:22.376> they<00:13:22.457> are<00:13:22.634> screaming<00:13:24.313> on<00:13:24.571> the<00:13:24.748> civilians,<00:13:25.523> the<00:13:25.684> other<00:13:25.830> people<00:13:26.255> that<00:13:26.682> they<00:13:26.778> need<00:13:27.002> to<00:13:27.146> leave<00:13:27.339> the<00:13:27.627> area.

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And<00:13:28.846> I<00:13:28.926> could<00:13:29.070> have<00:13:29.118> seen<00:13:29.551> from<00:13:29.791> the<00:13:29.888> window<00:13:30.272> of<00:13:31.555> the<00:13:31.651> bus,<00:13:32.036> the<00:13:32.068> seat<00:13:32.372> that<00:13:32.517> I<00:13:32.613> was<00:13:32.773> sitting<00:13:33.110> in,<00:13:33.719> that<00:13:34.039> all<00:13:34.200> those<00:13:34.520> other<00:13:35.097> cars,<00:13:36.316> some<00:13:36.604> of<00:13:36.765> those<00:13:37.101> cars<00:13:37.422> and<00:13:37.582> buses<00:13:38.368> contains,<00:13:39.361> includes<00:13:39.826> some<00:13:40.532> foreign<00:13:40.932> nationals.

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They<00:13:42.071> were<00:13:42.455> also<00:13:42.648> being<00:13:42.872> denied.

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They<00:13:43.994> were<00:13:44.090> not<00:13:44.315> given<00:13:44.619> the<00:13:44.715> permission<00:13:45.196> to<00:13:45.421> enter<00:13:45.677> the<00:13:45.822> Kabul<00:13:46.158> airport,<00:13:46.960> but<00:13:47.280> they<00:13:47.505> were<00:13:47.601> like<00:13:49.124> redirected.

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Like,<00:13:51.272> the<00:13:51.608> Taliban<00:13:52.490> made<00:13:52.715> them,<00:13:52.971> forced<00:13:53.372> them<00:13:53.596> to<00:13:53.692> leave<00:13:53.933> the<00:13:54.157> area,<00:13:54.895> but<00:13:55.055> it<00:13:55.215> was<00:13:55.536> only<00:13:56.001> our<00:13:56.097> buses<00:13:56.642> that<00:13:56.802> were<00:13:56.898> stuck<00:13:57.315> in<00:13:57.459> there.

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As<00:13:58.823> every<00:13:59.128> moment<00:13:59.545> was<00:13:59.850> passing<00:14:00.268> by,<00:14:01.071> my<00:14:01.232> nervousness,<00:14:02.115> my<00:14:02.613> sense<00:14:03.014> of—<00:14:04.042> I<00:14:04.106> was<00:14:04.347> frustrated,<00:14:05.327> I<00:14:05.487> was<00:14:05.712> scared,<00:14:06.435> and<00:14:06.547> it<00:14:06.676> was<00:14:06.772> increasing<00:14:07.334> rapidly.

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I<00:14:08.956> knew<00:14:09.342> in<00:14:09.422> my<00:14:09.567> mind<00:14:09.840> that<00:14:09.920> something<00:14:10.771> worse<00:14:11.012> is<00:14:11.108> about<00:14:11.413> to<00:14:11.494> happen,<00:14:12.698> as<00:14:12.811> if<00:14:12.955> they<00:14:13.036> were<00:14:13.196> like<00:14:13.421> planning<00:14:13.839> something<00:14:15.220> for<00:14:15.669> us<00:14:16.167> and<00:14:16.247> they<00:14:16.392> don't<00:14:16.729> want<00:14:17.131> anyone<00:14:17.388> to<00:14:17.597> be<00:14:17.693> witness<00:14:18.239> there.

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So<00:14:20.006> we<00:14:20.166> were<00:14:20.487> like<00:14:20.664> highly<00:14:21.146> advised<00:14:21.547> to<00:14:21.644> not<00:14:22.013> use<00:14:22.254> our<00:14:22.511> cell<00:14:22.832> phones,<00:14:23.298> not<00:14:23.715> communicate<00:14:24.277> with<00:14:24.599> any<00:14:24.759> person<00:14:25.466> do<00:14:25.562> not<00:14:25.722> share<00:14:25.963> our<00:14:26.123> locations,<00:14:26.845> do<00:14:26.941> not<00:14:27.166> do<00:14:27.326> anything.

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But<00:14:28.368> then<00:14:28.705> at<00:14:28.850> that<00:14:29.090> moment,<00:14:29.635> it<00:14:29.732> was,<00:14:30.357> it<00:14:30.453> was<00:14:30.678> on<00:14:30.854> me<00:14:31.239> and<00:14:31.335> I<00:14:31.416> had<00:14:31.576> to<00:14:31.672> make<00:14:31.897> this<00:14:32.041> decision.

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I<00:14:33.340> took<00:14:33.581> my<00:14:33.741> phone<00:14:34.206> out<00:14:34.463> and<00:14:34.607> I<00:14:34.703> contacted<00:14:35.281> my<00:14:35.441> sister<00:14:36.050> Ozada<00:14:36.868> and<00:14:36.948> I<00:14:37.093> let<00:14:37.269> her<00:14:37.365> know<00:14:37.830> what<00:14:38.055> was<00:14:38.215> happening<00:14:38.632> there.

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Because<00:14:39.899> I<00:14:39.947> don't<00:14:40.188> know<00:14:40.316> what<00:14:40.557> was<00:14:41.423> happening,<00:14:41.920> what<00:14:42.144> was<00:14:42.321> this,<00:14:42.802> what,<00:14:43.828> what<00:14:44.085> will<00:14:44.390> happen<00:14:44.807> to<00:14:45.031> us<00:14:46.009> in<00:14:46.090> terms<00:14:46.346> of<00:14:46.491> whether<00:14:46.795> we,<00:14:47.373> we<00:14:47.453> can<00:14:47.693> get<00:14:47.918> the<00:14:47.998> help<00:14:48.415> or<00:14:48.495> not.

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But<00:14:49.858> the<00:14:50.099> only<00:14:50.323> concern<00:14:50.805> at<00:14:50.901> that<00:14:51.141> moment<00:14:51.462> that<00:14:51.687> I<00:14:51.767> had<00:14:52.569> was<00:14:52.809> that<00:14:53.210> I<00:14:53.563> do<00:14:53.643> not<00:14:54.012> want<00:14:54.253> to<00:14:54.413> be<00:14:54.734> disappeared<00:14:55.632> in<00:14:55.712> the<00:14:55.792> middle<00:14:56.128> of<00:14:56.353> Kabul,<00:14:57.234> that<00:14:57.458> no<00:14:57.698> one<00:14:57.955> knows<00:14:58.195> what<00:14:58.419> happened<00:14:58.820> to<00:14:58.900> me<00:14:59.381> or<00:14:59.477> what<00:14:59.701> was<00:14:59.861> my<00:15:00.038> story.

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And<00:15:01.544> this<00:15:02.024> is<00:15:02.361> unfortunately<00:15:03.643> the<00:15:03.883> theme<00:15:04.668> of<00:15:05.245> the<00:15:05.405> Taliban's<00:15:06.270> history.

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Even<00:15:09.234> in<00:15:09.314> their<00:15:09.795> previous<00:15:10.692> regime,<00:15:11.637> previously,<00:15:12.679> for<00:15:12.839> the<00:15:12.871> first<00:15:13.095> time<00:15:13.320> when<00:15:13.496> they<00:15:13.736> get<00:15:13.913> into<00:15:14.201> power,<00:15:15.098> they<00:15:15.178> would<00:15:15.322> have<00:15:15.963> captured<00:15:16.444> these<00:15:16.620> people<00:15:17.261> and<00:15:17.646> you<00:15:17.822> would<00:15:17.966> have<00:15:18.206> lost<00:15:18.543> that<00:15:18.847> family<00:15:19.120> member,<00:15:19.600> that<00:15:20.530> friend<00:15:20.962> or<00:15:21.186> relative<00:15:21.587> forever.

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You<00:15:22.789> would<00:15:22.885> have<00:15:23.109> never<00:15:23.349> knew<00:15:23.654> that<00:15:23.830> whether<00:15:24.150> he<00:15:24.311> is<00:15:24.535> dead<00:15:25.097> she<00:15:25.274> is<00:15:25.515> dead<00:15:26.079> or<00:15:26.159> he<00:15:26.400> or<00:15:26.545> she<00:15:26.803> alive<00:15:27.511> or<00:15:27.608> where<00:15:27.914> they<00:15:28.091> are<00:15:28.332> or<00:15:28.477> what<00:15:28.719> happened<00:15:29.121> to<00:15:29.201> them.

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It<00:15:31.391> was<00:15:31.633> that<00:15:33.233> horrific,<00:15:34.931> that,<00:15:37.356> how<00:15:37.518> to<00:15:37.615> say,<00:15:37.777> sad.

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And<00:15:38.973> I<00:15:39.345> did<00:15:39.620> not<00:15:39.797> want<00:15:40.105> that<00:15:40.428> to<00:15:40.590> happen<00:15:40.929> to<00:15:41.091> me<00:15:41.171> or<00:15:41.331> my<00:15:41.492> friends.

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I<00:15:41.990> said<00:15:42.231> like,<00:15:43.404> if<00:15:43.565> we<00:15:43.661> are<00:15:43.806> going<00:15:43.983> to<00:15:44.063> even<00:15:44.368> die<00:15:44.706> tonight,<00:15:45.734> I<00:15:45.830> will<00:15:45.991> at<00:15:46.232> least<00:15:47.020> let<00:15:47.212> someone<00:15:47.662> know<00:15:47.839> about<00:15:48.241> it.

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I<00:15:48.964> want<00:15:49.125> to<00:15:49.285> let<00:15:49.510> someone<00:15:50.153> to<00:15:50.330> keep<00:15:50.574> record<00:15:51.028> of<00:15:51.098> it.

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That<00:15:52.102> we<00:15:52.407> missed,<00:15:53.065> and<00:15:53.146> it<00:15:53.306> was<00:15:53.547> this<00:15:53.707> number<00:15:54.093> of<00:15:54.189> us,<00:15:54.430> and<00:15:54.671> this<00:15:54.847> is<00:15:55.216> the<00:15:55.296> locations.

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And<00:15:56.757> then<00:15:57.078> my<00:15:57.239> sister<00:15:57.720> Azada<00:15:58.041> said<00:15:58.346> like,<00:15:58.683> hold<00:15:59.068> on<00:15:59.245> in<00:15:59.406> there,<00:16:00.288> I<00:16:00.369> will<00:16:00.690> get<00:16:00.995> help.

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And<00:16:01.492> I<00:16:01.556> was<00:16:01.717> like,<00:16:03.258> really?

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Like,<00:16:04.606> at<00:16:04.702> this<00:16:04.943> moment,<00:16:05.826> I<00:16:06.067> totally<00:16:06.548> lost<00:16:07.030> hope<00:16:07.993> in<00:16:08.137> whatsoever<00:16:09.437> is<00:16:09.582> called<00:16:09.999> life.

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And<00:16:11.829> it<00:16:12.086> was,<00:16:12.888> I<00:16:12.985> did<00:16:13.129> not<00:16:13.354> believe<00:16:14.253> that<00:16:14.509> statement<00:16:15.216> because<00:16:15.601> I<00:16:15.697> was<00:16:16.997> strongly<00:16:17.543> believing<00:16:18.008> that<00:16:18.169> no<00:16:18.329> one<00:16:18.506> at<00:16:18.602> that<00:16:18.891> moment<00:16:19.469> is<00:16:19.854> able<00:16:20.273> to<00:16:20.423> help<00:16:20.706> us<00:16:20.873> anymore.

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To<00:16:22.874> that<00:16:23.061> extent,<00:16:23.471> I<00:16:23.556> was<00:16:23.812> frustrated.

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And<00:16:25.937> then<00:16:26.180> a<00:16:26.260> moment<00:16:26.746> later,<00:16:27.053> she<00:16:27.312> texted<00:16:27.797> me<00:16:27.942> and<00:16:28.023> said,<00:16:28.282> like,<00:16:29.074> I<00:16:29.333> contacted<00:16:29.964> my<00:16:30.061> father's<00:16:30.465> friends.

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They<00:16:31.015> want<00:16:31.225> to<00:16:31.824> know<00:16:32.244> where<00:16:32.632> are<00:16:32.794> you,<00:16:33.441> like,<00:16:33.959> exactly.

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Can<00:16:34.800> you<00:16:34.848> send<00:16:35.153> us<00:16:36.182> live<00:16:36.616> locations?

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Send<00:16:38.046> us<00:16:38.191> some<00:16:38.512> pictures<00:16:39.251> of<00:16:39.332> surrounding<00:16:39.959> that<00:16:40.119> they<00:16:40.216> know<00:16:40.457> that<00:16:40.618> you<00:16:40.778> are<00:16:40.859> there,<00:16:41.196> and<00:16:41.341> then<00:16:42.852> the<00:16:42.948> total<00:16:43.302> number<00:16:43.591> of<00:16:43.720> students,<00:16:44.808> as<00:16:44.906> many<00:16:45.154> information<00:16:45.797> as<00:16:45.961> you<00:16:46.126> can.

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Some<00:16:46.986> of<00:16:47.099> this<00:16:47.324> information<00:16:47.870> were<00:16:48.046> very<00:16:48.223> sensitive<00:16:49.331> and<00:16:49.411> very<00:16:49.636> difficult<00:16:50.198> at<00:16:50.295> that<00:16:50.536> moment<00:16:50.777> to<00:16:50.937> provide,<00:16:51.901> including,<00:16:52.688> for<00:16:52.768> example,<00:16:53.282> the<00:16:53.330> pictures.

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Yeah.

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And<00:16:55.241> I<00:16:55.257> was<00:16:55.498> like,<00:16:56.060> how<00:16:56.237> am<00:16:56.381> I<00:16:56.397> supposed<00:16:56.799> to<00:16:56.944> take<00:16:57.345> pictures?

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If<00:16:58.903> I<00:16:59.031> take<00:16:59.272> my<00:16:59.369> phone<00:16:59.674> and<00:16:59.770> take<00:17:00.075> pictures,<00:17:00.958> the<00:17:01.039> Taliban<00:17:01.392> soldiers<00:17:01.858> will<00:17:02.179> see.

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And<00:17:03.528> when<00:17:03.705> they<00:17:03.849> notice<00:17:04.186> that<00:17:04.363> I'm<00:17:04.989> breaking<00:17:05.391> the<00:17:05.632> law,<00:17:05.873> they<00:17:05.953> will<00:17:06.274> capture<00:17:06.756> me<00:17:07.061> and<00:17:07.623> they<00:17:07.704> will<00:17:07.864> immediately<00:17:08.507> shoot<00:17:08.908> me<00:17:08.988> in<00:17:09.085> the<00:17:09.229> head.

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Well,<00:17:10.450> that<00:17:10.755> was<00:17:10.932> the<00:17:11.012> best<00:17:11.253> scenario<00:17:11.670> that<00:17:11.895> could<00:17:12.024> have<00:17:12.136> happened,<00:17:12.698> or<00:17:12.923> worse<00:17:13.164> than<00:17:13.341> that<00:17:13.581> can<00:17:13.806> happen.

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But<00:17:15.027> somehow<00:17:15.589> I<00:17:15.750> had<00:17:15.974> to<00:17:16.456> overcome<00:17:17.017> this<00:17:17.274> fear<00:17:17.691> that<00:17:17.900> I<00:17:17.916> had.

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And<00:17:18.541> I<00:17:18.557> was<00:17:18.782> like,<00:17:19.824> look,<00:17:21.284> this<00:17:21.589> is<00:17:21.685> the<00:17:22.006> only<00:17:22.327> opportunity<00:17:23.049> that<00:17:23.273> I<00:17:23.369> have<00:17:24.236> among<00:17:24.717> all<00:17:24.877> 150<00:17:25.775> of<00:17:25.936> us<00:17:26.578> that<00:17:26.738> I<00:17:26.962> could<00:17:27.219> do,<00:17:27.684> and<00:17:28.005> we<00:17:28.182> possibly<00:17:28.839> may<00:17:29.064> get<00:17:29.529> help.

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If<00:17:30.572> I<00:17:30.684> don't<00:17:30.973> do,<00:17:31.309> it's<00:17:31.855> for<00:17:31.951> certain<00:17:32.352> that<00:17:32.577> we<00:17:32.673> will<00:17:32.833> not<00:17:33.074> get<00:17:33.138> help.

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So<00:17:34.261> I<00:17:34.502> kind<00:17:34.742> of<00:17:34.919> turned<00:17:35.304> the<00:17:35.336> flash<00:17:35.945> off<00:17:36.747> of<00:17:36.843> my<00:17:37.004> camera,<00:17:37.950> and<00:17:38.030> I<00:17:38.127> took<00:17:38.287> some<00:17:38.528> pictures,<00:17:39.153> and<00:17:39.250> then<00:17:39.474> I<00:17:39.570> provided<00:17:40.052> those<00:17:40.292> information<00:17:41.736> to<00:17:41.832> those,<00:17:42.217> uh,<00:17:42.474> friends<00:17:42.859> of<00:17:43.019> my<00:17:43.179> father,<00:17:43.564> to<00:17:43.805> Chris,<00:17:44.142> and<00:17:44.302> then<00:17:45.586> they<00:17:45.746> passed<00:17:46.131> those<00:17:46.307> information<00:17:47.013> to<00:17:48.152> It<00:17:48.232> goes<00:17:48.392> through<00:17:48.697> a<00:17:48.793> chain<00:17:49.114> of<00:17:49.210> individuals<00:17:49.835> and<00:17:49.995> then<00:17:50.492> it<00:17:50.620> hit<00:17:51.358> an<00:17:52.143> organization<00:17:52.881> and<00:17:53.025> then<00:17:53.698> someone<00:17:54.083> passes<00:17:54.403> it<00:17:54.484> to<00:17:54.708> Pentagon,<00:17:55.590> um,<00:17:56.471> to<00:17:56.551> someone<00:17:57.673> who<00:17:57.754> is<00:17:57.930> in<00:17:58.074> charge<00:17:58.812> and<00:17:58.972> who<00:17:59.052> is<00:17:59.292> in<00:17:59.373> charge<00:17:59.677> to<00:17:59.773> make<00:18:00.014> decisions.

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And<00:18:01.216> then<00:18:01.456> they<00:18:01.601> make<00:18:01.921> decisions,<00:18:02.643> or<00:18:02.803> whatever<00:18:03.204> the<00:18:03.300> deal<00:18:03.604> was<00:18:03.845> between<00:18:04.101> the<00:18:04.262> US<00:18:04.486> government<00:18:04.903> and<00:18:05.047> the<00:18:05.079> Taliban,<00:18:06.265> they<00:18:06.410> let<00:18:06.666> us<00:18:06.906> pass<00:18:07.211> the<00:18:07.307> gates<00:18:07.788> and<00:18:07.948> enter<00:18:08.189> the<00:18:08.333> Kabul<00:18:08.525> airport.

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But<00:18:10.064> somehow,<00:18:10.818> before<00:18:11.154> they<00:18:11.234> let<00:18:11.475> us<00:18:11.860> enter,<00:18:12.357> they<00:18:12.517> take<00:18:12.982> away<00:18:13.382> every<00:18:13.703> belongings<00:18:14.280> that<00:18:14.440> we<00:18:14.601> ever<00:18:14.825> had.

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Our<00:18:16.366> bags,<00:18:16.783> our<00:18:16.992> clothes,<00:18:17.730> our<00:18:18.051> computers,<00:18:18.934> everything.

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The<00:18:19.800> only<00:18:19.977> thing<00:18:20.137> that<00:18:20.282> they<00:18:20.619> let<00:18:20.860> us<00:18:21.566> take<00:18:21.823> inside<00:18:22.545> the<00:18:22.705> airport<00:18:23.091> was<00:18:23.251> our<00:18:23.428> passports.

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And<00:18:24.952> of<00:18:25.113> course<00:18:25.354> we<00:18:25.498> had<00:18:25.675> to<00:18:25.980> hide<00:18:26.236> our<00:18:26.397> phones<00:18:26.862> and<00:18:26.959> don't<00:18:27.135> let<00:18:27.280> them<00:18:27.681> see<00:18:28.082> that<00:18:28.307> we<00:18:28.467> have<00:18:28.949> our<00:18:29.109> phones.

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I<00:18:30.169> certainly<00:18:30.650> don't<00:18:30.811> want<00:18:30.971> to<00:18:31.132> lose<00:18:31.356> contact,<00:18:31.838> so<00:18:32.095> I<00:18:32.801> kind<00:18:32.993> of<00:18:34.101> keep<00:18:34.277> it<00:18:34.358> hidden<00:18:34.823> and<00:18:34.968> take<00:18:35.144> it<00:18:35.305> with<00:18:35.529> me<00:18:35.770> in<00:18:35.866> the<00:18:36.011> Kabul<00:18:36.428> airport.

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But<00:18:37.873> at<00:18:37.969> that<00:18:38.258> moment<00:18:38.595> they<00:18:38.820> take<00:18:38.996> 3<00:18:39.381> of<00:18:39.542> us<00:18:39.718> as<00:18:39.863> a<00:18:39.943> hostage.

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They<00:18:41.645> didn't<00:18:41.950> let<00:18:42.126> 3<00:18:42.351> of<00:18:42.464> my<00:18:42.608> friends<00:18:42.929> to<00:18:43.090> go,<00:18:43.812> and<00:18:43.957> the<00:18:44.037> reasons<00:18:44.374> they<00:18:44.535> provided<00:18:45.097> to<00:18:45.257> us<00:18:45.803> was<00:18:46.044> not<00:18:47.024> something<00:18:47.570> logical<00:18:47.987> or<00:18:48.389> make<00:18:48.629> any<00:18:48.790> sense<00:18:49.272> in<00:18:49.432> any<00:18:49.593> context.

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Like,<00:18:51.198> the<00:18:51.295> tall<00:18:51.584> one<00:18:51.744> said,<00:18:52.483> "We<00:18:52.563> cannot<00:18:52.884> let<00:18:53.045> these<00:18:53.286> 3<00:18:53.527> go<00:18:53.832> because<00:18:54.169> their<00:18:54.554> names<00:18:54.972> are<00:18:55.132> misspelled<00:18:55.839> in<00:18:55.935> the<00:18:56.080> list<00:18:56.337> that<00:18:56.497> we<00:18:56.577> received,<00:18:57.460> their<00:18:57.701> passport<00:18:58.584> number<00:18:58.922> is<00:18:59.227> not<00:18:59.532> right."<00:19:00.656> And<00:19:00.832> something<00:19:01.378> we<00:19:01.699> all<00:19:01.796> knew<00:19:02.117> is<00:19:02.438> not,<00:19:02.904> not<00:19:03.161> correct.

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They<00:19:04.044> were<00:19:04.188> making<00:19:06.852> this<00:19:07.077> thing's<00:19:07.397> up.

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So<00:19:08.295> they<00:19:08.455> take<00:19:08.775> the<00:19:09.000> hostage.

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And<00:19:11.243> I<00:19:11.403> was<00:19:11.660> not<00:19:12.766> ready<00:19:13.102> to<00:19:13.182> let<00:19:13.423> them<00:19:13.647> go<00:19:13.967> because<00:19:14.384> previous<00:19:14.849> to<00:19:15.009> that,<00:19:15.410> I<00:19:15.490> already<00:19:15.890> lost<00:19:16.211> my<00:19:17.012> parents,<00:19:17.621> my<00:19:18.134> family<00:19:18.454> at<00:19:18.551> that<00:19:18.871> point,<00:19:19.512> because<00:19:19.833> I<00:19:19.993> did<00:19:20.217> not<00:19:20.393> know<00:19:20.618> what<00:19:20.778> happened<00:19:21.099> to<00:19:21.195> my<00:19:21.435> parents.

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I<00:19:22.140> lost<00:19:22.380> contact<00:19:22.797> with<00:19:22.957> them.

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And<00:19:23.294> somehow<00:19:23.743> I<00:19:23.919> wasn't<00:19:24.400> ready<00:19:24.720> to<00:19:25.618> let<00:19:25.922> any<00:19:26.082> bad<00:19:26.323> things<00:19:26.643> happen<00:19:27.028> to<00:19:27.701> my<00:19:27.845> friends.

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But<00:19:30.713> to<00:19:31.595> kind<00:19:31.787> of<00:19:32.365> to<00:19:33.521> give<00:19:33.633> a<00:19:33.762> context<00:19:34.436> at<00:19:34.581> that<00:19:34.886> moment,<00:19:35.785> it<00:19:36.026> was<00:19:36.588> a<00:19:36.813> day<00:19:37.295> after<00:19:37.632> the<00:19:37.712> explosion<00:19:38.435> that<00:19:38.659> happened<00:19:38.981> in<00:19:39.141> Kabul<00:19:39.559> Airport<00:19:40.346> that<00:19:40.522> caused,<00:19:42.931> that<00:19:43.092> resulted<00:19:43.718> in<00:19:43.798> the<00:19:43.959> deaths<00:19:44.280> of<00:19:45.805> over<00:19:45.886> 100<00:19:46.448> civilians<00:19:47.186> and<00:19:47.652> including<00:19:48.471> 113<00:19:50.880> U.S.<00:19:51.603> soldiers<00:19:52.566> or<00:19:52.630> service<00:19:53.112> members.

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So<00:19:54.316> it<00:19:54.413> was<00:19:54.894> really<00:19:55.296> sensitive<00:19:56.019> timing.

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And<00:19:57.785> then<00:19:58.090> when<00:19:58.267> we<00:19:58.508> get<00:19:58.732> into<00:19:58.973> the<00:19:59.134> Kabul<00:19:59.616> Airport,<00:20:00.338> I<00:20:01.061> start<00:20:02.426> contacting<00:20:03.004> with<00:20:03.341> my<00:20:03.630> other<00:20:03.806> friends<00:20:04.208> and<00:20:04.288> say<00:20:04.465> like,<00:20:05.412> look,<00:20:06.359> they<00:20:06.455> took<00:20:06.696> 3<00:20:07.178> of<00:20:07.338> my<00:20:07.483> friends<00:20:07.981> and<00:20:08.446> we<00:20:08.526> need<00:20:08.623> to<00:20:08.767> do<00:20:08.944> something.

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And<00:20:09.650> they<00:20:09.682> said<00:20:09.987> that<00:20:10.389> at<00:20:10.613> this<00:20:10.870> point,<00:20:11.432> all<00:20:11.528> you<00:20:11.673> need<00:20:11.817> to<00:20:11.978> do<00:20:12.235> is<00:20:12.395> to<00:20:12.476> go<00:20:12.716> and<00:20:12.861> find<00:20:13.680> the<00:20:13.824> captain<00:20:15.028> or<00:20:15.365> the<00:20:15.526> commander,<00:20:16.473> whoever<00:20:16.874> is<00:20:16.971> in<00:20:17.115> charge<00:20:17.436> of<00:20:17.549> the<00:20:17.693> US<00:20:17.934> forces<00:20:18.335> on<00:20:18.480> the<00:20:18.576> ground.

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And<00:20:19.764> I<00:20:19.861> said,<00:20:20.101> okay.

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And<00:20:21.209> then<00:20:22.188> I<00:20:22.269> do<00:20:22.429> remember<00:20:22.911> that<00:20:23.136> I<00:20:23.473> go<00:20:24.596> to<00:20:24.741> different<00:20:25.094> soldiers<00:20:25.784> and<00:20:25.865> I<00:20:25.945> was<00:20:26.106> asking,<00:20:26.587> who<00:20:26.748> is<00:20:26.908> in<00:20:27.005> charge?

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Who<00:20:27.791> is<00:20:27.888> your<00:20:28.112> captain?

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And<00:20:28.851> then<00:20:29.637> I<00:20:29.718> had<00:20:29.959> to<00:20:31.002> talk<00:20:31.243> to<00:20:31.339> them<00:20:31.564> to<00:20:31.644> convince<00:20:32.062> them<00:20:32.387> to<00:20:32.550> let<00:20:33.151> me<00:20:33.346> talk<00:20:33.525> to<00:20:33.671> their<00:20:33.931> captain.

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And<00:20:35.394> eventually<00:20:35.800> it<00:20:35.963> helped,<00:20:36.369> they<00:20:36.938> let<00:20:37.263> me<00:20:37.409> talk<00:20:37.751> to<00:20:37.848> the<00:20:37.994> captain.

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And<00:20:40.303> then<00:20:40.529> I<00:20:40.610> had<00:20:40.788> to,<00:20:41.273> at<00:20:41.450> one<00:20:41.677> point<00:20:41.984> I<00:20:42.065> had<00:20:42.226> to<00:20:42.323> convince<00:20:42.727> this<00:20:43.212> captain<00:20:43.616> to<00:20:43.778> talk<00:20:44.020> with<00:20:44.198> my<00:20:44.360> father's<00:20:44.748> friends<00:20:45.217> over<00:20:45.394> phone.

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He<00:20:46.862> was<00:20:47.023> in<00:20:47.167> special<00:20:47.569> forces<00:20:48.067> and<00:20:48.228> they<00:20:48.534> talked<00:20:49.032> about<00:20:49.209> some<00:20:49.514> logistic<00:20:50.623> things.

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But<00:20:51.748> back<00:20:52.552> then<00:20:52.809> in<00:20:52.889> the<00:20:53.050> ground,<00:20:53.452> it<00:20:53.596> was<00:20:53.757> up<00:20:53.918> to<00:20:54.030> me<00:20:54.175> to<00:20:54.336> convince<00:20:54.738> this<00:20:55.688> captain<00:20:56.179> that<00:20:56.784> he<00:20:56.931> needs<00:20:57.177> to<00:20:57.324> do<00:20:57.439> something<00:20:58.011> and<00:20:58.404> save<00:20:58.731> my<00:20:59.676> 3<00:21:00.254> friends.

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But<00:21:01.634> I'm,<00:21:02.100> but<00:21:02.276> I'm<00:21:02.421> super<00:21:02.806> happy<00:21:03.207> because<00:21:03.544> the<00:21:03.624> same<00:21:03.945> chain<00:21:04.186> of<00:21:04.330> communications<00:21:05.133> happened<00:21:05.550> one<00:21:05.775> more<00:21:06.015> time,<00:21:06.914> and<00:21:06.994> then<00:21:07.395> someone<00:21:07.781> like<00:21:08.278> my<00:21:08.535> father's<00:21:09.145> friend,<00:21:09.385> like<00:21:09.883> someone<00:21:10.220> in<00:21:10.429> Pentagon,<00:21:10.926> to<00:21:11.070> know<00:21:11.311> that<00:21:11.953> they're<00:21:12.130> taking<00:21:12.451> the<00:21:12.595> 3<00:21:13.317> of<00:21:13.574> the<00:21:13.734> girls<00:21:14.136> as<00:21:14.232> a<00:21:14.296> hostage.

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And<00:21:14.938> then<00:21:15.404> someone<00:21:15.741> who<00:21:15.805> was<00:21:15.981> in<00:21:16.142> charge<00:21:16.864> released<00:21:17.249> the<00:21:17.345> decisions<00:21:17.907> that<00:21:18.388> we<00:21:18.437> need<00:21:18.613> to<00:21:18.693> save<00:21:18.934> those<00:21:19.191> last<00:21:19.496> 3<00:21:19.656> girls.

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And<00:21:20.218> then<00:21:21.277> this<00:21:21.438> captain<00:21:21.903> on<00:21:21.999> the<00:21:22.080> ground<00:21:22.721> go<00:21:23.588> and<00:21:24.390> negotiate<00:21:24.888> with<00:21:25.032> the<00:21:25.129> Taliban<00:21:25.530> and<00:21:25.690> take<00:21:25.915> the<00:21:26.156> comes<00:21:26.573> back.

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So<00:21:27.695> we<00:21:27.920> reunited<00:21:29.138> an<00:21:29.363> hour<00:21:29.539> later<00:21:29.924> in<00:21:30.020> the<00:21:30.245> Kabul<00:21:30.661> Airport,<00:21:31.303> inside<00:21:31.607> the<00:21:31.704> Kabul<00:21:31.944> Airport.

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I<00:21:33.227> do<00:21:33.323> not<00:21:33.612> recall<00:21:34.430> this<00:21:34.654> captain's<00:21:35.231> name,<00:21:35.616> but<00:21:36.514> from<00:21:36.738> bottom<00:21:37.075> of<00:21:37.316> my<00:21:37.540> heart,<00:21:37.957> I'm<00:21:38.117> super<00:21:38.502> grateful<00:21:38.999> for<00:21:39.144> everything<00:21:39.641> he<00:21:39.881> did<00:21:40.122> that<00:21:40.362> day.

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He<00:21:41.709> absolutely<00:21:42.222> saved<00:21:42.671> my<00:21:42.832> friends<00:21:43.713> and<00:21:44.852> we<00:21:45.012> all<00:21:45.317> made<00:21:45.477> it<00:21:45.638> out<00:21:45.798> of<00:21:45.894> Afghanistan<00:21:46.776> and<00:21:46.856> that<00:21:47.017> it<00:21:47.161> was<00:21:47.337> a<00:21:47.498> very<00:21:47.915> successful<00:21:48.925> missions<00:21:49.486> for<00:21:49.662> all<00:21:49.807> of<00:21:49.983> us.

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So<00:21:50.544> thank<00:21:50.769> you<00:21:50.801> so<00:21:51.041> much<00:21:51.330> for<00:21:51.506> everyone<00:21:51.907> who<00:21:51.987> served<00:21:52.709> in<00:21:52.853> the<00:21:52.933> US<00:21:53.206> military<00:21:53.735> and<00:21:53.911> who<00:21:53.960> served<00:21:54.312> in<00:21:54.456> Afghanistan.

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I<00:21:58.061> entirely<00:21:59.119> value<00:21:59.503> everything<00:21:59.904> you<00:22:00.000> did,<00:22:00.721> and<00:22:00.865> I<00:22:00.945> want<00:22:01.186> you<00:22:01.234> to<00:22:01.282> know<00:22:01.522> that<00:22:02.147> not<00:22:02.339> only<00:22:02.644> me,<00:22:03.269> women<00:22:03.685> like<00:22:04.086> me,<00:22:04.871> and<00:22:05.223> especially<00:22:05.848> Hazara<00:22:06.393> people<00:22:07.595> that<00:22:07.835> are<00:22:08.476> ethnic<00:22:08.877> minorities<00:22:09.774> are<00:22:09.854> very<00:22:10.158> grateful<00:22:10.511> for<00:22:10.719> your<00:22:10.879> services<00:22:11.392> in<00:22:11.841> the<00:22:11.873> last<00:22:12.161> 20<00:22:12.498> years<00:22:12.882> because<00:22:13.203> your<00:22:13.363> presence<00:22:13.924> made<00:22:15.126> a<00:22:15.206> huge<00:22:15.542> difference<00:22:15.943> in<00:22:16.023> our<00:22:16.183> life.

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We<00:22:17.449> had<00:22:18.026> freedom,<00:22:18.731> we<00:22:18.811> had<00:22:19.051> democracy,<00:22:19.852> we<00:22:19.948> had<00:22:20.125> a<00:22:20.253> government,<00:22:20.830> we<00:22:20.974> had<00:22:21.150> a<00:22:21.230> constitution,<00:22:22.577> Under<00:22:22.898> that<00:22:23.154> constitution<00:22:24.101> and<00:22:24.262> that<00:22:24.695> structure<00:22:25.224> of<00:22:25.385> government,<00:22:25.962> we<00:22:26.107> had<00:22:26.765> a<00:22:26.989> life<00:22:27.711> that<00:22:27.888> was<00:22:28.129> worth<00:22:28.273> living,<00:22:29.156> and<00:22:29.813> we<00:22:29.958> are<00:22:30.054> not<00:22:30.279> being—<00:22:31.177> we<00:22:31.338> were<00:22:31.498> not<00:22:31.739> being<00:22:32.959> subject<00:22:33.649> to<00:22:34.387> hostility<00:22:35.189> and<00:22:35.365> subject<00:22:35.831> to<00:22:36.392> mistreatment<00:22:37.355> or<00:22:37.997> being<00:22:38.462> massacred<00:22:39.361> by<00:22:39.521> the<00:22:39.682> Taliban<00:22:40.629> or<00:22:40.789> any<00:22:40.966> other<00:22:42.313> terrorist<00:22:42.811> groups.

00:22:43.132 --> 00:22:45.314
So<00:22:43.838> thank<00:22:44.014> you<00:22:44.111> so<00:22:44.399> much<00:22:44.576> for<00:22:44.720> your<00:22:44.768> service.

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What<00:22:46.726> was<00:22:46.887> that<00:22:46.983> moment<00:22:47.448> like<00:22:47.705> when<00:22:47.849> you<00:22:47.946> saw<00:22:48.427> your<00:22:48.587> 3<00:22:48.908> friends<00:22:51.430> you<00:22:51.462> no<00:22:51.624> longer<00:22:52.091> be<00:22:52.252> hostages<00:22:52.977> and<00:22:53.058> they<00:22:53.219> were<00:22:53.364> freed<00:22:53.783> and<00:22:53.863> they<00:22:54.008> were<00:22:54.089> going<00:22:54.169> to<00:22:54.266> come<00:22:54.492> along<00:22:54.895> with<00:22:55.136> you.

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What<00:22:56.264> was<00:22:56.441> it<00:22:56.586> like<00:22:56.844> when<00:22:56.989> you<00:22:57.022> saw<00:22:57.408> them?

00:23:02.732 --> 00:23:15.354
Overall,<00:23:03.601> it<00:23:03.697> is<00:23:04.261> very<00:23:04.743> difficult<00:23:05.468> to<00:23:05.580> make<00:23:06.916> an<00:23:07.077> emotional<00:23:07.560> trip<00:23:08.364> to<00:23:08.525> that<00:23:08.767> days<00:23:09.153> of<00:23:09.314> that<00:23:09.571> moments<00:23:11.100> because,<00:23:14.058> because<00:23:14.403> it<00:23:14.550> was<00:23:14.796> difficult.

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Yeah.

00:23:16.734 --> 00:23:20.876
Because<00:23:17.055> once<00:23:17.440> you<00:23:17.537> save<00:23:17.793> someone,<00:23:18.596> something,<00:23:19.286> you<00:23:19.447> have<00:23:19.640> to<00:23:19.768> give<00:23:19.945> up<00:23:20.105> on<00:23:20.266> another<00:23:20.603> thing.

00:23:21.951 --> 00:23:28.774
The<00:23:22.031> moment<00:23:22.417> that<00:23:22.593> I<00:23:22.914> saw<00:23:23.300> my<00:23:23.396> friends<00:23:23.877> are<00:23:24.038> being<00:23:24.520> reunited<00:23:25.386> with<00:23:25.563> us,<00:23:25.964> I<00:23:26.205> was<00:23:26.366> super<00:23:26.847> grateful<00:23:27.489> and<00:23:27.650> I<00:23:27.810> was<00:23:28.035> super<00:23:28.436> happy.

00:23:29.801 --> 00:23:53.883
I<00:23:29.881> was<00:23:30.058> excited<00:23:31.165> and<00:23:32.771> the<00:23:32.931> happiness<00:23:33.734> was,<00:23:34.793> was<00:23:34.954> sound<00:23:35.917> so<00:23:36.383> unreal<00:23:37.587> because<00:23:38.646> at<00:23:38.726> certain<00:23:39.192> points<00:23:39.513> you<00:23:39.609> would<00:23:39.705> see<00:23:40.091> that<00:23:40.813> life<00:23:41.118> is<00:23:41.616> throwing<00:23:42.017> you<00:23:42.579> a<00:23:42.739> lot<00:23:42.964> of<00:23:43.125> trouble<00:23:43.462> into<00:23:43.703> a<00:23:43.847> lot<00:23:44.008> of<00:23:44.184> troubles<00:23:44.746> and<00:23:45.452> you<00:23:45.533> would<00:23:45.645> not<00:23:45.806> see<00:23:46.175> that<00:23:46.769> something<00:23:48.102> is<00:23:48.278> like<00:23:49.804> as<00:23:50.029> miracle<00:23:51.554> or<00:23:51.635> as<00:23:51.811> a<00:23:51.892> magic<00:23:52.614> could<00:23:52.919> possibly<00:23:53.401> be<00:23:53.562> happen.

00:23:53.995 --> 00:23:58.379
So<00:23:54.220> it<00:23:54.365> was<00:23:54.541> a<00:23:54.589> miracle<00:23:55.087> to<00:23:55.184> me<00:23:55.344> to<00:23:55.425> see<00:23:55.665> my<00:23:55.762> friends<00:23:56.292> are<00:23:56.709> being<00:23:57.030> reunited<00:23:57.737> with<00:23:57.978> me<00:23:58.155> back.

00:23:59.102 --> 00:24:20.317
But<00:23:59.279> then<00:24:00.387> on<00:24:00.483> the<00:24:00.788> other<00:24:00.965> side,<00:24:01.752> I<00:24:01.912> was<00:24:02.153> feeling<00:24:02.571> deeply<00:24:03.920> down<00:24:04.578> and<00:24:04.803> I<00:24:04.899> was<00:24:05.140> feeling<00:24:06.409> frustrated<00:24:07.549> and<00:24:07.710> sad<00:24:09.059> because<00:24:09.942> I<00:24:10.038> was—<00:24:11.403> it<00:24:11.483> was<00:24:11.708> 150<00:24:12.591> of<00:24:12.752> us<00:24:13.089> and<00:24:13.250> I<00:24:13.410> was<00:24:13.974> the<00:24:14.200> only<00:24:14.458> one<00:24:15.007> who,<00:24:15.427> or<00:24:15.572> the<00:24:15.669> last<00:24:16.056> one<00:24:16.314> who<00:24:16.476> take<00:24:17.444> the<00:24:17.509> steps<00:24:18.009> to<00:24:18.397> towards<00:24:18.800> the<00:24:18.897> plane<00:24:19.381> or<00:24:19.526> get<00:24:19.688> into<00:24:19.882> the<00:24:19.962> plane.

00:24:20.992 --> 00:24:26.396
And<00:24:21.073> those<00:24:21.396> steps<00:24:21.785> that<00:24:21.882> I<00:24:21.963> was<00:24:22.189> taking<00:24:23.176> was<00:24:23.338> the<00:24:23.484> most<00:24:23.662> difficult<00:24:23.985> step<00:24:24.552> I<00:24:24.632> have<00:24:24.956> ever<00:24:25.199> taken<00:24:25.522> in<00:24:25.684> my<00:24:25.749> entire<00:24:26.024> life.

00:24:26.574 --> 00:24:30.749
Because<00:24:27.448> every<00:24:27.626> step<00:24:27.933> I<00:24:28.030> take,<00:24:28.580> I<00:24:28.758> could<00:24:28.920> have<00:24:29.487> thinking<00:24:29.891> of<00:24:30.118> my<00:24:30.296> families.

00:24:32.760 --> 00:24:36.200
I<00:24:32.856> could<00:24:33.034> have<00:24:33.357> think<00:24:33.599> my<00:24:33.842> dad,<00:24:34.310> my<00:24:34.488> mom,<00:24:34.811> my<00:24:35.037> brother<00:24:35.441> and<00:24:35.554> my<00:24:35.715> sister.

00:24:36.329 --> 00:24:41.175
And<00:24:36.410> I<00:24:36.491> had,<00:24:37.298> I<00:24:37.395> knew<00:24:37.799> if<00:24:37.961> I<00:24:38.106> get<00:24:38.267> into<00:24:38.510> the<00:24:38.671> plane,<00:24:39.334> I<00:24:39.430> may<00:24:39.592> never<00:24:40.060> be<00:24:40.222> able<00:24:40.464> to<00:24:40.561> see<00:24:40.787> them<00:24:41.013> again.

00:24:42.669 --> 00:24:49.233
And<00:24:43.985> somehow<00:24:44.675> I<00:24:44.771> have<00:24:45.012> to<00:24:45.108> make<00:24:45.494> that,<00:24:46.119> that<00:24:46.713> I<00:24:46.777> have<00:24:47.018> to<00:24:47.114> make<00:24:47.483> the<00:24:47.660> decisions<00:24:48.302> and<00:24:48.462> get<00:24:48.687> onto<00:24:48.928> the<00:24:49.088> plane.

00:24:50.212 --> 00:24:55.170
And<00:24:50.789> because<00:24:52.699> I<00:24:52.779> get<00:24:52.940> onto<00:24:53.180> the<00:24:53.277> plane,<00:24:53.742> I<00:24:53.935> still<00:24:54.240> feel<00:24:54.480> selfish.

00:24:55.604 --> 00:25:03.114
I<00:24:55.700> still<00:24:56.085> feel<00:24:56.229> like<00:24:56.310> I'm<00:24:57.433> feeling<00:24:58.075> inside<00:24:58.492> myself,<00:24:58.893> I'm<00:24:59.038> feeling<00:24:59.295> guilty<00:25:00.241> because<00:25:00.498> I<00:25:00.578> feel<00:25:00.803> like<00:25:00.883> I<00:25:01.124> give<00:25:01.365> up<00:25:01.461> on<00:25:01.622> my<00:25:01.862> parents<00:25:02.344> and<00:25:02.504> my<00:25:02.600> family.

00:25:03.628 --> 00:25:06.404
I<00:25:03.692> should<00:25:03.884> have<00:25:04.655> gone<00:25:05.698> back<00:25:06.035> to<00:25:06.195> them.

00:25:06.837 --> 00:25:08.217
I<00:25:06.917> should<00:25:07.046> have<00:25:07.238> tried<00:25:07.559> to<00:25:07.639> find<00:25:08.041> them.

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And<00:25:09.231> be<00:25:09.556> reunited<00:25:10.205> with<00:25:10.368> them.

00:25:10.709 --> 00:25:14.998
And<00:25:10.937> regardless<00:25:11.586> of<00:25:11.749> what<00:25:11.993> the<00:25:12.058> outcome<00:25:12.561> would<00:25:12.805> be,<00:25:13.520> it<00:25:13.682> would<00:25:13.764> have<00:25:13.942> been<00:25:14.251> for<00:25:14.413> all<00:25:14.592> of<00:25:14.820> us.

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But<00:25:18.632> I<00:25:18.730> saved<00:25:19.121> myself.

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That's<00:25:20.701> how<00:25:20.847> selfish<00:25:21.320> I<00:25:21.499> am.

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That's<00:25:22.960> not<00:25:23.121> selfish<00:25:23.589> at<00:25:23.734> all,<00:25:23.992> Asma.

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That's,<00:25:24.638> uh,<00:25:25.202> what<00:25:25.364> you<00:25:25.509> did<00:25:25.848> was<00:25:26.073> heroic<00:25:26.654> and<00:25:26.719> you<00:25:26.815> saved<00:25:27.203> lives<00:25:27.525> that<00:25:27.703> day.

00:25:29.058 --> 00:25:34.127
Um,<00:25:30.832> so<00:25:31.010> they<00:25:31.171> brought—<00:25:31.671> so<00:25:31.816> did<00:25:31.978> you—<00:25:32.139> how<00:25:32.284> did<00:25:32.381> you<00:25:32.430> get<00:25:32.544> to—<00:25:32.707> when<00:25:32.870> did<00:25:33.017> you<00:25:33.115> get<00:25:33.262> to<00:25:33.360> the<00:25:33.441> United<00:25:33.784> States?

00:25:34.176 --> 00:25:36.428
Did<00:25:34.339> you<00:25:34.502> immediately<00:25:34.992> get<00:25:35.155> flown<00:25:35.628> to<00:25:35.726> the<00:25:35.873> United<00:25:36.150> States?

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No,<00:25:40.172> um,<00:25:41.544> it<00:25:41.625> would<00:25:41.770> have<00:25:42.029> been<00:25:42.674> way<00:25:42.916> easier<00:25:43.304> if<00:25:43.465> we<00:25:43.562> could<00:25:43.707> have<00:25:43.950> get<00:25:44.127> directly<00:25:45.418> to<00:25:45.483> United<00:25:45.935> States,<00:25:46.064> but<00:25:46.710> we<00:25:46.790> had<00:25:46.952> some<00:25:47.194> stops.

00:25:48.682 --> 00:25:58.228
We<00:25:48.730> went<00:25:48.908> to<00:25:49.022> Saudi<00:25:49.491> Arabia<00:25:49.895> and<00:25:50.138> then<00:25:50.364> we<00:25:50.623> went<00:25:50.850> to<00:25:51.044> Spain<00:25:51.675> and<00:25:51.836> then<00:25:52.241> we<00:25:52.500> flew,<00:25:53.535> eventually<00:25:54.020> we<00:25:54.182> flew<00:25:54.489> into<00:25:55.217> United<00:25:55.476> States<00:25:55.719> and<00:25:55.881> we<00:25:56.026> entered<00:25:56.285> United<00:25:56.722> States<00:25:57.741> in<00:25:57.790> September.

00:25:59.754 --> 00:26:13.683
But<00:25:59.868> I'm<00:26:00.095> very<00:26:00.420> thankful<00:26:00.907> for<00:26:01.232> the<00:26:01.378> U.S.<00:26:01.622> government<00:26:02.060> for,<00:26:02.710> for<00:26:03.968> for<00:26:04.194> hosting<00:26:04.678> us,<00:26:04.920> for<00:26:06.551> their<00:26:06.713> hospitality,<00:26:07.827> and<00:26:07.989> for<00:26:09.377> saving<00:26:09.846> us<00:26:10.104> from<00:26:10.330> Afghanistan<00:26:11.315> and<00:26:11.460> from<00:26:11.719> the<00:26:12.286> Taliban.

00:26:13.732 --> 00:26:16.446
Have<00:26:13.895> you<00:26:13.992> been<00:26:14.155> able<00:26:14.805> to<00:26:15.065> speak<00:26:15.373> with<00:26:15.520> your<00:26:15.617> family<00:26:16.104> since?

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Yes.

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.715
Okay.

00:26:22.655 --> 00:26:24.550
The<00:26:22.752> story<00:26:23.157> is<00:26:23.303> not<00:26:23.497> sad<00:26:24.193> at<00:26:24.436> all.

00:26:24.776 --> 00:26:32.233
So<00:26:25.975> we<00:26:26.072> are<00:26:26.234> grateful<00:26:27.129> because<00:26:28.775> God<00:26:29.104> is<00:26:29.252> being<00:26:30.357> really<00:26:30.854> merciful<00:26:31.432> to<00:26:31.640> all<00:26:31.816> of<00:26:32.041> us.

00:26:32.442 --> 00:26:38.713
And<00:26:33.340> the<00:26:33.420> way<00:26:33.645> he<00:26:33.757> saved<00:26:34.222> me,<00:26:34.687> um,<00:26:35.409> that<00:26:35.505> God<00:26:35.682> saved<00:26:35.987> my<00:26:36.147> parents<00:26:36.628> as<00:26:36.853> well<00:26:38.056> and<00:26:38.216> my<00:26:38.312> family.

00:26:39.114 --> 00:26:58.329
So<00:26:40.012> my<00:26:40.381> parents,<00:26:41.183> um,<00:26:41.985> my<00:26:42.146> family,<00:26:42.948> because<00:26:43.204> it<00:26:43.349> was<00:26:43.782> my<00:26:44.086> parents<00:26:44.872> and<00:26:45.129> my<00:26:45.706> small<00:26:46.091> brother,<00:26:47.519> uh,<00:26:48.321> they<00:26:48.433> moved<00:26:49.123> from<00:26:49.459> Kabul<00:26:50.245> to<00:26:50.919> Mazar,<00:26:52.266> another<00:26:52.748> Afghanistan<00:26:53.373> province,<00:26:54.656> in<00:26:54.752> a<00:26:54.768> safe<00:26:55.137> houses<00:26:55.779> that<00:26:55.939> was<00:26:56.420> being<00:26:56.677> hosted<00:26:57.158> by<00:26:57.479> the<00:26:57.575> Morcri<00:26:58.121> One.

00:26:58.602 --> 00:27:08.204
Organization,<00:27:00.047> and<00:27:00.208> they<00:27:00.272> eventually<00:27:01.091> being<00:27:01.332> evacuated<00:27:02.295> from<00:27:02.520> Afghanistan<00:27:03.258> through<00:27:03.804> charter<00:27:04.125> flights<00:27:05.410> in<00:27:05.747> United<00:27:07.417> Arab<00:27:07.690> Emirates.

00:27:08.461 --> 00:27:17.613
And<00:27:08.621> then<00:27:09.424> eventually,<00:27:10.227> a<00:27:10.243> few<00:27:10.484> months<00:27:10.725> ago,<00:27:11.110> they<00:27:11.222> made<00:27:11.511> it<00:27:11.608> to<00:27:11.672> United<00:27:12.089> States,<00:27:13.438> and<00:27:14.016> they<00:27:14.097> are<00:27:14.257> right<00:27:14.498> now<00:27:15.140> living,<00:27:15.863> uh,<00:27:16.585> in<00:27:16.810> Pennsylvania.

00:27:18.111 --> 00:27:20.728
And<00:27:18.191> I'm<00:27:18.352> super<00:27:19.781> grateful<00:27:20.262> and<00:27:20.343> happy.

00:27:21.788 --> 00:27:23.875
And<00:27:21.852> have<00:27:21.948> you<00:27:22.045> seen<00:27:22.301> them<00:27:22.510> since<00:27:22.767> they've<00:27:22.928> been<00:27:23.024> in<00:27:23.088> the<00:27:23.169> United<00:27:23.441> States?

00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:31.370
I<00:27:25.994> just<00:27:26.298> seen<00:27:26.523> them<00:27:26.700> one<00:27:27.021> day<00:27:27.598> for<00:27:28.305> a<00:27:28.465> very<00:27:28.866> short<00:27:29.749> period<00:27:30.070> of<00:27:30.150> time,<00:27:30.455> for<00:27:30.568> a<00:27:30.632> few<00:27:30.937> hours.

00:27:32.156 --> 00:27:44.803
I<00:27:32.237> did<00:27:32.542> not<00:27:32.782> get<00:27:32.943> the<00:27:33.039> chance<00:27:33.505> to<00:27:34.500> stay<00:27:34.885> with<00:27:35.045> them<00:27:35.366> and<00:27:36.153> kind<00:27:36.409> of<00:27:38.560> be<00:27:38.720> with<00:27:38.897> them<00:27:39.443> and<00:27:39.619> again<00:27:40.004> feel<00:27:40.341> like<00:27:40.566> we<00:27:40.662> are<00:27:40.807> being<00:27:41.144> reunited<00:27:41.850> and<00:27:42.749> we<00:27:42.893> are<00:27:43.471> living<00:27:44.033> as<00:27:44.113> a<00:27:44.177> family.

00:27:45.702 --> 00:27:49.104
But<00:27:46.360> at<00:27:46.440> this<00:27:46.681> point,<00:27:46.938> I'm<00:27:47.082> super<00:27:47.403> grateful<00:27:47.868> that<00:27:48.029> they<00:27:48.189> are<00:27:48.526> safe.

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They<00:27:49.473> are<00:27:49.505> in<00:27:49.570> the<00:27:49.618> United<00:27:49.842> States.

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:56.998
Stayed,<00:27:51.738> and<00:27:52.063> I'm<00:27:52.306> planning<00:27:52.712> to<00:27:52.809> go<00:27:53.037> and<00:27:53.134> see<00:27:53.378> them<00:27:53.865> in<00:27:54.027> December<00:27:54.758> once<00:27:55.975> my<00:27:56.072> studies<00:27:56.624> are<00:27:56.706> over.

00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:01.303
So<00:27:58.596> where,<00:27:59.885> where,<00:28:00.127> who<00:28:00.223> are<00:28:00.449> you<00:28:00.546> staying<00:28:00.868> with<00:28:01.093> now?

00:28:01.657 --> 00:28:07.312
And<00:28:02.060> I<00:28:02.157> know<00:28:02.398> you're<00:28:02.705> enrolled<00:28:03.349> in,<00:28:03.913> uh,<00:28:04.880> college,<00:28:05.379> you're<00:28:05.540> in,<00:28:05.846> uh,<00:28:06.507> university<00:28:07.055> right<00:28:07.232> now.

00:28:08.263 --> 00:28:09.697
What<00:28:08.424> are<00:28:08.666> you,<00:28:09.085> what<00:28:09.230> are<00:28:09.310> you<00:28:09.407> doing?

00:28:09.810 --> 00:28:14.144
What<00:28:10.035> is<00:28:10.196> it<00:28:10.535> like<00:28:10.857> being,<00:28:11.485> uh,<00:28:12.468> in<00:28:12.613> the<00:28:12.694> United<00:28:13.048> States<00:28:13.499> and<00:28:13.596> living<00:28:13.918> here?

00:28:16.290 --> 00:28:23.425
Uh,<00:28:17.392> as<00:28:17.559> I<00:28:17.643> can<00:28:17.844> say,<00:28:18.161> it's<00:28:20.123> It's<00:28:20.284> super<00:28:20.748> exciting,<00:28:21.486> super,<00:28:22.543> super<00:28:23.008> happy.

00:28:23.745 --> 00:28:32.591
I'm<00:28:23.905> super<00:28:24.210> happy<00:28:24.530> to<00:28:24.610> be<00:28:24.771> in<00:28:24.851> United<00:28:25.235> States,<00:28:26.597> and<00:28:27.479> I'm<00:28:27.655> trying<00:28:28.056> to<00:28:28.152> make<00:28:28.456> the<00:28:28.617> most<00:28:29.322> out<00:28:29.498> of<00:28:29.658> this<00:28:30.540> amazing<00:28:30.956> opportunity<00:28:31.661> that<00:28:31.838> I'm<00:28:32.062> being<00:28:32.302> given.

00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:37.879
It's<00:28:33.440> a<00:28:33.664> kind<00:28:33.921> of<00:28:34.065> a<00:28:34.081> second<00:28:34.530> chance<00:28:34.786> in<00:28:34.946> life<00:28:35.892> to<00:28:35.988> live<00:28:36.212> your<00:28:36.453> life<00:28:36.950> to<00:28:37.094> the<00:28:37.190> best<00:28:37.510> of<00:28:37.735> it.

00:28:38.776 --> 00:28:44.545
And<00:28:39.818> I<00:28:39.994> am<00:28:40.779> currently<00:28:41.821> studying<00:28:42.382> fintech<00:28:43.279> and<00:28:43.504> big<00:28:43.680> data<00:28:43.904> analytics.

00:28:45.350 --> 00:28:52.691
With<00:28:45.752> an<00:28:45.913> intended<00:28:46.396> minor<00:28:46.734> in<00:28:46.959> computer<00:28:47.298> science<00:28:48.086> in<00:28:48.505> University<00:28:49.052> of<00:28:49.455> Virginia<00:28:50.018> Tech<00:28:51.065> in<00:28:51.387> the<00:28:51.725> state<00:28:51.966> of<00:28:52.127> Virginia.

00:28:53.174 --> 00:28:55.321
And<00:28:53.319> I'm<00:28:54.059> right<00:28:54.220> now<00:28:54.446> in<00:28:54.527> university<00:28:55.191> too.

00:28:56.812 --> 00:28:57.654
Yeah,<00:28:57.022> that's<00:28:57.217> incredible.

00:28:57.703 --> 00:28:58.610
Why<00:28:57.865> did<00:28:58.027> you<00:28:58.108> choose<00:28:58.432> that?

00:28:58.675 --> 00:29:02.499
Why<00:28:58.772> did<00:28:58.983> you<00:28:59.064> choose<00:28:59.404> fintech<00:29:00.117> and<00:29:00.198> computer<00:29:00.538> programming<00:29:01.657> and<00:29:01.835> that<00:29:02.062> type<00:29:02.256> of<00:29:02.370> stuff?

00:29:02.564 --> 00:29:03.340
That's<00:29:02.790> fascinating.

00:29:05.069 --> 00:29:05.522
Thank<00:29:05.393> you.

00:29:06.670 --> 00:29:14.232
I,<00:29:07.397> um,<00:29:09.418> first<00:29:09.661> of<00:29:09.822> all,<00:29:09.984> because<00:29:10.194> I'm<00:29:10.324> very<00:29:10.631> passionate<00:29:11.148> about<00:29:11.601> it,<00:29:11.859> but<00:29:12.836> Why<00:29:12.916> I'm<00:29:13.237> passionate<00:29:13.670> about<00:29:14.136> it?

00:29:14.280 --> 00:29:23.204
Because,<00:29:15.163> uh,<00:29:16.206> I<00:29:16.302> grew<00:29:16.463> up<00:29:16.640> in<00:29:16.768> Afghanistan,<00:29:17.570> and<00:29:17.731> Afghanistan<00:29:18.373> do<00:29:18.469> not<00:29:18.694> have<00:29:19.352> a<00:29:19.432> stable<00:29:19.914> financial<00:29:20.556> market<00:29:21.840> or<00:29:21.984> a<00:29:22.080> financial<00:29:22.642> system.

00:29:23.749 --> 00:29:40.216
All<00:29:23.910> we<00:29:24.070> have<00:29:24.552> is<00:29:24.729> called<00:29:25.194> Hawala<00:29:25.547> system,<00:29:26.959> and<00:29:27.601> it<00:29:27.778> was<00:29:28.083> one<00:29:28.243> of,<00:29:28.580> uh,<00:29:28.917> it's—<00:29:29.848> Hawala<00:29:30.185> has<00:29:30.442> existed<00:29:30.988> since<00:29:31.453> 8th<00:29:31.550> century<00:29:32.834> and<00:29:32.978> is<00:29:33.138> a<00:29:33.700> really<00:29:34.021> corrupted<00:29:34.438> system,<00:29:35.401> and<00:29:36.204> the<00:29:36.429> way<00:29:36.750> the,<00:29:37.247> the<00:29:37.809> money<00:29:38.066> moves<00:29:38.515> is<00:29:38.836> on<00:29:38.932> the—<00:29:39.478> based<00:29:39.718> on<00:29:39.895> trust.

00:29:41.242 --> 00:29:53.354
And<00:29:41.724> it's<00:29:42.622> kind<00:29:42.879> of<00:29:43.167> illegal<00:29:44.467> because<00:29:44.868> the<00:29:44.964> government<00:29:45.509> do<00:29:45.590> not<00:29:45.830> have<00:29:46.071> any<00:29:46.456> control<00:29:46.953> over<00:29:47.338> it,<00:29:48.140> and<00:29:49.504> it<00:29:49.664> can<00:29:49.841> be<00:29:50.402> used<00:29:50.803> by<00:29:51.044> the<00:29:51.188> terrorist<00:29:51.686> groups<00:29:52.151> like<00:29:52.311> the<00:29:52.472> Taliban<00:29:52.969> used<00:29:53.274> it.

00:29:53.915 --> 00:30:09.106
They<00:29:54.076> transferred<00:29:54.637> their<00:29:54.814> money<00:29:55.536> through<00:29:55.760> Hawala<00:29:56.113> system<00:29:56.562> inside<00:29:56.963> Afghanistan<00:29:57.701> and<00:29:57.781> then<00:29:58.407> distributed<00:29:59.370> among<00:29:59.690> their<00:29:59.931> militia,<00:30:00.493> and<00:30:01.006> eventually<00:30:02.097> over<00:30:02.353> time<00:30:02.658> they<00:30:02.754> get<00:30:03.781> power<00:30:04.198> and<00:30:04.359> power<00:30:04.760> and<00:30:05.482> Finally,<00:30:05.868> in<00:30:06.045> 2021,<00:30:06.851> they<00:30:06.996> managed<00:30:07.495> to<00:30:07.592> seize<00:30:07.833> the<00:30:07.978> power<00:30:08.365> in<00:30:08.462> Afghanistan.

00:30:09.992 --> 00:30:25.471
And<00:30:10.137> then<00:30:10.394> the<00:30:10.620> other<00:30:12.247> is,<00:30:13.213> it's<00:30:14.502> basically<00:30:15.069> the<00:30:15.231> whole<00:30:15.377> system<00:30:16.042> is<00:30:16.528> the<00:30:16.674> base<00:30:16.998> for<00:30:17.176> corruption,<00:30:18.408> for<00:30:18.635> money<00:30:18.959> laundering,<00:30:19.770> for<00:30:20.094> human<00:30:20.483> trafficking,<00:30:22.625> for<00:30:22.997> all<00:30:23.094> other<00:30:23.886> kind<00:30:24.145> of<00:30:24.290> crimes<00:30:24.614> that<00:30:24.775> you<00:30:24.872> can<00:30:25.034> imagine.

00:30:27.022 --> 00:30:50.866
And<00:30:27.187> this,<00:30:27.761> I'm<00:30:28.074> hopeful<00:30:28.419> that<00:30:28.911> what<00:30:29.076> I'm<00:30:29.240> studying<00:30:29.733> and<00:30:30.045> when<00:30:30.291> I<00:30:30.390> graduate,<00:30:31.283> I<00:30:32.263> managed<00:30:33.773> to<00:30:33.933> develop<00:30:34.656> a<00:30:34.817> modern<00:30:35.138> financial<00:30:35.684> system<00:30:36.809> using<00:30:38.094> the<00:30:38.175> computer<00:30:38.592> science,<00:30:39.299> most<00:30:39.556> importantly<00:30:40.681> the<00:30:41.629> artificial<00:30:42.110> intelligence,<00:30:43.412> and<00:30:43.637> make<00:30:44.601> a<00:30:44.617> modern<00:30:45.099> system,<00:30:45.741> financial<00:30:46.143> system,<00:30:46.946> so<00:30:47.107> that<00:30:47.749> the<00:30:47.910> government<00:30:48.617> can<00:30:49.099> have<00:30:49.356> control<00:30:50.304> over<00:30:50.480> it<00:30:50.705> more.

00:30:51.525 --> 00:30:59.282
And<00:30:51.669> then<00:30:51.846> we<00:30:51.926> can<00:30:52.585> see<00:30:52.970> the<00:30:53.131> transfer<00:30:53.693> of<00:30:53.838> money<00:30:54.095> or<00:30:54.256> the<00:30:54.400> movement<00:30:54.818> of<00:30:54.979> money<00:30:55.300> and<00:30:55.461> to<00:30:55.621> avoid<00:30:56.665> corruptions<00:30:57.388> or<00:30:57.790> mis—<00:30:58.272> misuse<00:30:58.753> of<00:30:58.977> money.

00:30:59.714 --> 00:31:06.255
And<00:30:59.795> then<00:31:00.019> when<00:31:00.275> we<00:31:00.436> have<00:31:01.157> a<00:31:01.173> stable<00:31:01.638> financial<00:31:02.103> system,<00:31:03.081> we<00:31:03.241> can<00:31:03.866> create<00:31:04.523> eventually<00:31:05.389> a<00:31:05.421> stock<00:31:05.870> market.

00:31:06.607 --> 00:31:08.900
At<00:31:06.704> this<00:31:06.928> point,<00:31:07.152> we<00:31:07.249> do<00:31:07.345> not<00:31:07.633> have<00:31:08.034> one<00:31:08.210> in<00:31:08.371> Afghanistan.

00:31:09.413 --> 00:31:16.610
And<00:31:09.573> then<00:31:10.198> people<00:31:10.599> will,<00:31:11.176> will<00:31:11.336> intend<00:31:11.737> to<00:31:11.977> more<00:31:12.378> invested<00:31:13.164> in<00:31:13.260> the<00:31:13.581> inside<00:31:13.949> the<00:31:14.045> country<00:31:14.526> versus<00:31:15.264> investing<00:31:15.729> outside<00:31:16.065> the<00:31:16.145> country.

00:31:16.706 --> 00:31:21.916
And<00:31:16.867> then<00:31:18.325> more<00:31:18.614> investment<00:31:19.832> leads<00:31:20.137> to<00:31:20.554> economic<00:31:21.179> prosperity.

00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:35.738
And<00:31:22.221> then<00:31:23.118> people<00:31:23.439> will<00:31:24.225> have<00:31:24.641> better<00:31:25.042> income,<00:31:25.507> people<00:31:25.908> will<00:31:26.228> going<00:31:26.405> to<00:31:26.485> have<00:31:26.709> a<00:31:26.789> better<00:31:27.110> life,<00:31:27.447> and<00:31:28.008> the<00:31:28.072> overall<00:31:28.729> living<00:31:29.050> standards<00:31:29.547> of<00:31:29.691> Afghanistan<00:31:30.092> Afghanistan<00:31:30.901> will<00:31:31.063> eventually—<00:31:32.114> people<00:31:32.357> of<00:31:32.454> Afghanistan<00:31:33.328> will<00:31:33.473> eventually<00:31:34.039> grow<00:31:34.460> and<00:31:35.188> will<00:31:35.350> get<00:31:35.512> better.

00:31:35.932 --> 00:31:38.958
So<00:31:36.240> that's,<00:31:36.968> that's<00:31:37.275> what<00:31:37.453> I<00:31:37.583> envision<00:31:38.165> for<00:31:38.343> Afghanistan.

00:31:39.055 --> 00:31:44.225
And<00:31:39.136> of<00:31:39.297> course<00:31:39.943> for<00:31:40.186> post-Taliban<00:31:40.832> Afghanistan,<00:31:41.656> because<00:31:41.979> I<00:31:42.060> don't<00:31:42.222> believe<00:31:42.528> that<00:31:42.690> they<00:31:42.787> are<00:31:43.029> capable<00:31:43.433> of<00:31:43.595> any<00:31:43.756> improvement.

00:31:46.376 --> 00:31:49.429
Azma,<00:31:46.858> you<00:31:46.954> are<00:31:47.179> the<00:31:47.340> most<00:31:47.742> incredible<00:31:48.401> person<00:31:48.786> I've<00:31:48.963> ever<00:31:49.188> met.

00:31:49.847 --> 00:31:56.584
That<00:31:50.233> is<00:31:50.570> your<00:31:50.956> vision<00:31:52.322> and<00:31:52.579> what<00:31:52.804> you<00:31:52.965> want<00:31:53.126> to<00:31:53.286> do<00:31:53.527> for<00:31:53.768> your,<00:31:54.347> for<00:31:54.443> your<00:31:54.733> home<00:31:54.990> country<00:31:55.480> is<00:31:55.911> so<00:31:56.256> beautiful.

00:31:57.761 --> 00:32:00.097
And<00:31:58.491> man,<00:31:58.815> it<00:31:59.075> is<00:31:59.237> so<00:31:59.561> inspiring.

00:32:00.356 --> 00:32:03.632
I'm<00:32:00.599> actually<00:32:00.843> like<00:32:01.167> almost<00:32:01.410> at<00:32:01.491> a<00:32:01.572> loss<00:32:01.913> for<00:32:02.059> words<00:32:02.464> for<00:32:02.708> what<00:32:02.870> you<00:32:02.967> just<00:32:03.129> said<00:32:03.437> there.

00:32:04.183 --> 00:32:09.590
That<00:32:04.346> is<00:32:04.427> so<00:32:04.670> beautiful,<00:32:05.156> the<00:32:05.238> way<00:32:05.465> you<00:32:05.546> want<00:32:05.627> to<00:32:06.926> improve<00:32:07.820> and<00:32:08.226> change<00:32:08.875> your<00:32:09.119> country.

00:32:12.150 --> 00:32:18.769
Where<00:32:12.214> does—<00:32:12.650> where<00:32:12.811> do<00:32:12.892> you<00:32:13.054> think<00:32:13.376> the<00:32:13.538> courage<00:32:14.038> came<00:32:14.361> from<00:32:15.734> that<00:32:16.218> those<00:32:16.847> days<00:32:17.203> getting<00:32:17.574> out<00:32:17.671> of<00:32:17.816> Afghanistan?

00:32:18.946 --> 00:32:20.770
And<00:32:19.043> where<00:32:19.221> do<00:32:19.350> you<00:32:19.511> think<00:32:19.689> it's<00:32:19.834> coming<00:32:20.157> from<00:32:20.415> right<00:32:20.641> now?

00:32:20.883 --> 00:32:26.232
You<00:32:20.980> could<00:32:21.126> easily<00:32:21.464> just,<00:32:22.334> you<00:32:22.446> know,<00:32:22.833> never<00:32:23.155> go<00:32:23.381> back<00:32:23.735> and<00:32:23.816> never<00:32:24.186> think<00:32:24.363> about<00:32:24.686> your,<00:32:25.153> your<00:32:25.394> home<00:32:25.571> country<00:32:25.974> again.

00:32:26.296 --> 00:32:36.750
But<00:32:26.457> the<00:32:26.538> fact<00:32:26.860> that<00:32:26.957> you're<00:32:27.743> working<00:32:28.224> towards<00:32:28.610> building<00:32:28.931> a<00:32:28.947> new<00:32:29.172> financial<00:32:29.734> system<00:32:30.311> and<00:32:31.259> a<00:32:32.720> legitimate<00:32:33.426> currency<00:32:34.004> and<00:32:34.149> a<00:32:34.229> legitimate<00:32:34.791> government<00:32:35.369> in<00:32:35.449> Afghanistan<00:32:36.172> is<00:32:36.252> so<00:32:36.412> beautiful.

00:32:37.376 --> 00:32:38.612
Where,<00:32:37.777> where<00:32:37.938> does<00:32:38.082> that<00:32:38.259> come<00:32:38.483> from?

00:32:39.045 --> 00:32:41.068
What,<00:32:39.463> what,<00:32:39.704> where's<00:32:40.185> your<00:32:40.266> motivation<00:32:40.908> here?

00:32:41.213 --> 00:32:43.669
Your<00:32:41.389> courage<00:32:42.417> is<00:32:42.818> off<00:32:42.995> the<00:32:43.075> charts.

00:32:44.022 --> 00:32:45.146
Um,<00:32:44.504> unbelievable.

00:32:46.511 --> 00:32:48.293
Okay,<00:32:47.169> thank<00:32:47.474> you<00:32:47.506> so<00:32:47.956> much.

00:32:48.518 --> 00:32:56.529
Uh,<00:32:49.497> well,<00:32:50.380> I,<00:32:50.846> I<00:32:50.926> have<00:32:51.087> a<00:32:51.247> long<00:32:51.649> path<00:32:51.905> to<00:32:52.050> go<00:32:52.949> and<00:32:53.110> manage<00:32:53.511> to<00:32:53.671> like<00:32:53.976> build<00:32:54.876> this<00:32:55.036> system<00:32:55.437> eventually<00:32:56.064> in<00:32:56.144> the<00:32:56.176> future.

00:32:57.268 --> 00:33:02.518
But<00:32:57.380> hopefully,<00:32:58.665> no<00:32:58.809> matter<00:32:59.050> how<00:32:59.275> long<00:32:59.452> will<00:32:59.596> it<00:32:59.692> takes,<00:33:00.800> I<00:33:00.816> will<00:33:01.539> manage<00:33:01.924> to<00:33:02.021> do<00:33:02.197> that.

00:33:03.610 --> 00:33:15.139
Um,<00:33:04.750> it's<00:33:05.216> honestly<00:33:05.698> a<00:33:05.714> difficult<00:33:06.195> question<00:33:06.661> to<00:33:06.757> say<00:33:07.544> where<00:33:08.524> I<00:33:08.845> gained<00:33:09.712> the<00:33:09.808> courage<00:33:10.755> or,<00:33:11.960> uh,<00:33:12.682> this<00:33:13.886> resilience.

00:33:16.375 --> 00:33:27.399
And<00:33:16.777> if<00:33:16.937> I<00:33:17.981> reflect<00:33:18.800> on<00:33:18.960> how<00:33:19.281> I<00:33:19.442> grew<00:33:19.747> up<00:33:19.908> in<00:33:20.004> Afghanistan,<00:33:21.048> I<00:33:21.112> have<00:33:21.353> to<00:33:21.433> say<00:33:21.674> I'm<00:33:22.252> I'm<00:33:22.316> extremely<00:33:23.134> grateful<00:33:24.336> to<00:33:24.433> my<00:33:24.641> parents,<00:33:25.379> to<00:33:25.475> my<00:33:25.619> father<00:33:26.004> and<00:33:26.421> my<00:33:26.517> mother.

00:33:28.105 --> 00:33:45.007
And<00:33:29.789> importantly,<00:33:30.510> my<00:33:30.735> mom,<00:33:32.034> she<00:33:32.435> was<00:33:32.820> on<00:33:32.980> her<00:33:33.221> last<00:33:33.477> semester<00:33:34.359> to<00:33:34.520> graduate<00:33:35.001> from<00:33:35.305> Kabul<00:33:35.706> University,<00:33:36.284> and<00:33:36.428> she<00:33:36.588> was<00:33:36.765> majoring<00:33:37.326> in<00:33:37.871> Persian<00:33:38.288> literature<00:33:40.277> when<00:33:40.437> the<00:33:40.533> Taliban<00:33:40.886> seized<00:33:41.271> the<00:33:41.415> power<00:33:43.243> in<00:33:43.340> Afghanistan<00:33:44.238> for<00:33:44.414> the<00:33:44.526> first<00:33:44.847> time.

00:33:45.745 --> 00:33:56.063
They<00:33:45.905> closed<00:33:46.290> the<00:33:46.386> universities<00:33:47.413> and<00:33:47.653> they<00:33:49.033> The<00:33:49.177> women<00:33:49.514> were<00:33:49.675> not<00:33:49.900> allowed<00:33:50.237> to<00:33:50.381> go<00:33:50.622> and<00:33:50.862> get<00:33:51.039> an<00:33:51.135> education,<00:33:52.227> and<00:33:53.366> my<00:33:53.463> mom<00:33:53.848> never<00:33:54.169> get<00:33:54.329> the<00:33:54.409> chance<00:33:54.714> to<00:33:54.811> graduate<00:33:55.292> from<00:33:55.517> university.

00:33:57.058 --> 00:34:12.032
And<00:33:57.218> she<00:33:57.459> was<00:33:57.619> about,<00:33:58.647> like,<00:33:58.823> you<00:33:59.240> know<00:33:59.529> how,<00:33:59.786> how,<00:34:00.332> how<00:34:00.974> painful<00:34:01.295> it<00:34:01.455> is<00:34:01.696> to<00:34:01.792> study<00:34:02.210> for<00:34:02.434> like<00:34:02.916> 3<00:34:03.156> and<00:34:03.237> a<00:34:03.301> half<00:34:03.622> years<00:34:04.023> but<00:34:04.184> never<00:34:04.440> managed<00:34:04.761> to<00:34:04.906> graduate<00:34:05.403> because<00:34:05.885> of<00:34:06.591> this,<00:34:07.313> the<00:34:07.394> entire,<00:34:08.276> um,<00:34:09.737> Taliban<00:34:10.218> and<00:34:10.363> their<00:34:10.475> system<00:34:10.940> that<00:34:11.085> happened<00:34:11.486> to<00:34:11.550> Afghanistan.

00:34:12.931 --> 00:34:25.285
And<00:34:13.027> then<00:34:13.332> the<00:34:13.428> way<00:34:13.669> we<00:34:13.974> grew<00:34:14.215> up<00:34:14.937> was<00:34:15.435> somehow<00:34:16.239> reflecting<00:34:16.801> that<00:34:16.978> experience<00:34:17.589> that<00:34:17.749> my<00:34:17.942> mom<00:34:18.247> had<00:34:18.729> and<00:34:19.292> the<00:34:19.436> way<00:34:19.774> that<00:34:19.934> she<00:34:20.175> gives<00:34:20.561> importance<00:34:21.381> to<00:34:21.541> the<00:34:21.606> education<00:34:22.650> and<00:34:23.791> the<00:34:23.871> empowerment<00:34:24.771> of<00:34:24.980> women.

00:34:25.494 --> 00:34:32.387
So<00:34:26.747> to<00:34:26.844> get<00:34:27.069> an<00:34:27.262> education<00:34:27.888> and<00:34:28.113> degree<00:34:28.370> from<00:34:28.611> university<00:34:29.415> was<00:34:29.575> kind<00:34:29.832> of<00:34:30.298> a<00:34:30.379> requirement<00:34:31.664> in<00:34:31.761> our<00:34:31.905> family.

00:34:32.869 --> 00:35:15.068
We<00:34:32.950> raised<00:34:33.994> in<00:34:34.155> a<00:34:34.235> very<00:34:34.717> academic-focused<00:34:36.083> environment,<00:34:37.352> and<00:34:37.593> she<00:34:37.690> was<00:34:37.915> pushing<00:34:38.316> us<00:34:39.280> that<00:34:39.538> we<00:34:39.714> need<00:34:40.020> to<00:34:40.646> get<00:34:40.808> educations<00:34:43.171> because<00:34:44.044> once<00:34:44.287> we<00:34:44.530> are<00:34:44.627> educated,<00:34:45.355> we<00:34:45.517> will,<00:34:45.743> we<00:34:45.905> will<00:34:46.067> be<00:34:46.164> able<00:34:46.407> to<00:34:46.957> help<00:34:47.216> ourselves,<00:34:48.008> but<00:34:48.186> not<00:34:48.348> to<00:34:48.898> just<00:34:49.222> limit<00:34:49.449> to<00:34:49.577> ourselves<00:34:50.045> or<00:34:50.109> our<00:34:50.286> family,<00:34:50.689> but<00:34:50.866> we<00:34:51.011> will<00:34:51.172> be<00:34:51.962> a<00:34:52.139> productive<00:34:52.783> member<00:34:53.186> of<00:34:54.652> a<00:34:54.797> community,<00:34:55.989> a<00:34:56.005> society,<00:34:57.052> and<00:34:57.214> that<00:34:57.455> way<00:34:57.616> we<00:34:57.761> can<00:34:57.922> help<00:34:58.326> others,<00:34:59.622> others,<00:35:00.432> others<00:35:00.999> people<00:35:01.501> as<00:35:01.663> well,<00:35:01.987> but<00:35:02.149> not<00:35:02.376> just<00:35:02.862> others,<00:35:03.202> but<00:35:03.510> particularly<00:35:04.239> other<00:35:04.563> women<00:35:05.470> in<00:35:05.551> Afghanistan<00:35:06.118> because<00:35:06.552> Some<00:35:06.793> of<00:35:06.938> those<00:35:07.340> women<00:35:08.223> are,<00:35:08.866> or<00:35:09.284> do<00:35:09.364> not<00:35:09.605> have,<00:35:10.248> the<00:35:10.344> opportunities<00:35:11.035> that<00:35:11.919> I<00:35:12.015> had,<00:35:12.980> or<00:35:13.060> my<00:35:13.221> sisters<00:35:13.687> had,<00:35:14.024> or<00:35:14.104> my<00:35:14.265> family<00:35:14.731> had.

00:35:15.261 --> 00:35:31.715
So<00:35:15.711> this<00:35:15.936> was<00:35:16.097> how<00:35:16.820> she<00:35:16.981> was<00:35:17.157> raising<00:35:17.559> us,<00:35:17.784> that<00:35:18.443> do<00:35:18.523> not<00:35:18.989> always<00:35:19.326> be<00:35:19.584> self-centered,<00:35:22.299> be<00:35:23.006> a<00:35:23.247> valued<00:35:24.292> member,<00:35:25.111> and<00:35:25.352> be<00:35:25.513> someone<00:35:25.979> that<00:35:27.120> others<00:35:27.682> can<00:35:27.907> rely<00:35:28.244> on<00:35:28.405> you<00:35:28.726> and<00:35:28.887> be<00:35:29.465> able<00:35:29.690> to<00:35:29.851> like<00:35:30.012> serve<00:35:30.638> others<00:35:31.040> who<00:35:31.120> are<00:35:31.217> around<00:35:31.683> you.

00:35:32.658 --> 00:35:37.157
And<00:35:33.803> that's<00:35:34.190> how,<00:35:34.771> that's<00:35:35.480> how<00:35:35.658> the<00:35:35.738> mentality<00:35:36.464> I<00:35:36.609> grew<00:35:36.851> up<00:35:37.028> in.

00:35:37.996 --> 00:35:44.621
And<00:35:38.157> then<00:35:38.399> now<00:35:38.706> I'm<00:35:38.964> thinking<00:35:39.367> back,<00:35:41.802> and<00:35:42.221> about<00:35:42.592> Afghanistan<00:35:43.252> or<00:35:43.655> about<00:35:43.977> the<00:35:44.122> way<00:35:44.299> I<00:35:44.460> grew.

00:35:45.185 --> 00:35:47.425
The<00:35:45.346> way<00:35:45.491> I<00:35:45.669> left<00:35:45.975> Afghanistan<00:35:46.716> was<00:35:47.118> horrific.

00:35:49.022 --> 00:35:56.135
And<00:35:49.605> especially<00:35:50.383> I'm<00:35:50.788> from<00:35:51.047> Hazara<00:35:52.100> ethnicity,<00:35:52.991> and<00:35:53.137> we<00:35:53.234> are<00:35:53.494> the<00:35:53.575> minority,<00:35:54.190> we<00:35:54.369> are<00:35:54.514> being<00:35:54.758> massacred<00:35:55.260> every<00:35:55.519> day<00:35:55.649> in<00:35:55.746> Afghanistan.

00:35:58.929 --> 00:36:21.732
Somehow<00:35:59.891> some<00:36:00.195> parts<00:36:00.612> of<00:36:00.836> me<00:36:01.092> still<00:36:01.637> believes<00:36:02.423> like<00:36:03.080> I<00:36:03.160> need<00:36:03.400> to<00:36:03.560> do<00:36:03.737> something<00:36:04.426> to<00:36:04.522> make<00:36:04.698> a<00:36:04.826> difference<00:36:05.900> so<00:36:06.204> that<00:36:06.429> no<00:36:07.550> woman,<00:36:08.047> no<00:36:08.288> girl,<00:36:08.993> no<00:36:09.233> Hazara<00:36:11.492> person<00:36:11.973> in<00:36:12.117> Afghanistan<00:36:12.694> forced<00:36:13.239> to<00:36:13.335> flee<00:36:13.976> from<00:36:14.281> a<00:36:14.377> country<00:36:15.242> because<00:36:15.563> the<00:36:15.723> country<00:36:16.140> is<00:36:16.380> being<00:36:16.620> led<00:36:16.941> by<00:36:17.181> terrorists,<00:36:18.367> because<00:36:18.607> the<00:36:18.704> country<00:36:19.168> is<00:36:19.264> being<00:36:19.809> led<00:36:20.130> by<00:36:20.931> wrong<00:36:21.267> people.

00:36:22.389 --> 00:36:36.974
So<00:36:22.694> to<00:36:22.934> empower<00:36:23.591> those<00:36:23.880> to<00:36:24.456> empower<00:36:25.017> those<00:36:25.194> individuals,<00:36:26.540> I<00:36:27.261> think<00:36:28.880> it's<00:36:29.345> my<00:36:29.457> sole<00:36:29.986> responsibility<00:36:30.948> to<00:36:31.108> work<00:36:31.989> to<00:36:32.070> make<00:36:32.791> this<00:36:33.031> vision<00:36:33.544> into<00:36:33.849> a<00:36:34.009> reality<00:36:35.211> and<00:36:35.371> make<00:36:35.548> a<00:36:35.676> difference<00:36:36.093> into<00:36:36.397> their<00:36:36.573> life.

00:36:37.952 --> 00:36:40.468
Is<00:36:38.096> it<00:36:38.817> just<00:36:39.218> enough<00:36:39.619> for<00:36:39.763> Afghanistan?

00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:41.478
No,<00:36:40.981> it's<00:36:41.286> not.

00:36:41.782 --> 00:36:49.139
But<00:36:42.007> this<00:36:42.488> is<00:36:42.664> my<00:36:42.904> contributions<00:36:44.187> to<00:36:44.267> the<00:36:44.347> future<00:36:44.747> of<00:36:44.892> Afghanistan,<00:36:46.030> to<00:36:46.110> the<00:36:46.270> post-Taliban<00:36:48.578> Afghanistan.

00:36:49.940 --> 00:37:02.259
And<00:36:50.197> hopefully<00:36:51.062> I<00:36:51.383> will<00:36:51.559> do<00:36:51.784> it<00:36:51.960> one<00:36:52.200> day<00:36:52.264> and<00:36:52.505> I<00:36:52.601> will<00:36:53.391> I<00:36:53.472> will<00:36:53.569> be<00:36:53.731> able<00:36:53.957> to<00:36:54.038> save<00:36:54.458> those,<00:36:54.927> those<00:36:55.186> individuals<00:36:55.833> and<00:36:55.914> those<00:36:56.157> ethnicities<00:36:56.884> and<00:36:57.046> those<00:36:57.289> who<00:36:57.515> are<00:36:57.612> at<00:36:57.839> risk<00:36:58.809> or<00:36:58.987> those<00:36:59.294> who<00:36:59.375> are<00:36:59.472> being<00:37:00.330> mistreated<00:37:01.568> in<00:37:01.648> Afghanistan.

00:37:03.883 --> 00:37:14.626
How<00:37:04.060> have<00:37:04.301> you<00:37:04.462> noticed<00:37:05.410> the<00:37:05.668> culture,<00:37:07.259> cultural<00:37:07.758> differences<00:37:09.370> between,<00:37:10.244> uh,<00:37:10.421> living<00:37:10.745> Afghanistan,<00:37:11.699> the<00:37:11.796> Afghanistan<00:37:12.378> you<00:37:12.524> grew<00:37:12.766> up<00:37:12.993> in<00:37:13.332> and<00:37:13.559> living<00:37:13.898> in<00:37:13.979> America<00:37:14.480> now?

00:37:20.974 --> 00:37:29.037
I<00:37:21.134> would<00:37:21.247> say<00:37:21.713> there<00:37:21.937> are<00:37:22.114> a<00:37:22.339> lot<00:37:22.500> of<00:37:22.660> cultural<00:37:23.222> differences<00:37:24.909> and<00:37:26.451> to<00:37:27.013> one<00:37:27.254> extent<00:37:27.656> that<00:37:27.816> we<00:37:27.961> cannot<00:37:28.298> compare<00:37:28.844> it.

00:37:29.503 --> 00:37:29.808
Yeah.

00:37:29.969 --> 00:37:34.868
But<00:37:30.451> I'm<00:37:32.796> very<00:37:33.021> happy<00:37:34.145> in<00:37:34.225> United<00:37:34.482> States.

00:37:36.233 --> 00:37:46.384
It's<00:37:36.490> really<00:37:36.715> diverse<00:37:38.161> and<00:37:38.498> it's<00:37:38.819> really,<00:37:44.682> they<00:37:44.843> had<00:37:45.148> like<00:37:45.324> cultural<00:37:45.806> differences.

00:37:46.593 --> 00:37:59.535
But<00:37:47.251> the,<00:37:47.637> the<00:37:47.717> only<00:37:47.974> point<00:37:48.696> that<00:37:48.857> I<00:37:49.001> like<00:37:49.242> about<00:37:49.483> United<00:37:49.804> States,<00:37:50.366> regardless<00:37:50.944> of<00:37:51.185> which,<00:37:52.052> um,<00:37:52.951> group<00:37:53.513> you<00:37:53.658> are<00:37:53.979> representing,<00:37:54.782> which<00:37:54.958> community<00:37:55.585> you<00:37:55.761> are<00:37:55.825> representing,<00:37:57.190> you<00:37:57.271> will<00:37:57.431> be<00:37:57.672> always<00:37:58.073> be<00:37:58.250> heard<00:37:58.716> in<00:37:58.748> the<00:37:58.973> United<00:37:59.374> States.

00:37:59.695 --> 00:38:21.837
So<00:38:00.418> there<00:38:00.578> is<00:38:00.803> like<00:38:01.140> a<00:38:01.220> strong<00:38:01.622> government,<00:38:02.328> there<00:38:02.505> is<00:38:02.650> a<00:38:02.682> strong<00:38:03.131> constitution<00:38:04.978> that<00:38:05.170> is<00:38:05.459> governing<00:38:06.118> the<00:38:06.423> country,<00:38:07.081> and<00:38:07.788> no<00:38:07.964> one<00:38:08.992> is<00:38:09.393> allowed<00:38:10.116> to<00:38:10.212> mistreat<00:38:10.919> you<00:38:11.320> or<00:38:11.657> to<00:38:11.898> allow<00:38:12.283> to<00:38:12.444> like<00:38:12.765> prosecute<00:38:13.424> you<00:38:13.584> or<00:38:14.371> to<00:38:14.547> like<00:38:15.109> to<00:38:15.655> treat<00:38:16.137> you<00:38:16.394> in<00:38:16.490> an<00:38:16.699> unfair<00:38:17.422> way<00:38:18.401> because<00:38:18.802> there<00:38:19.108> is<00:38:19.268> a<00:38:19.364> government,<00:38:19.926> there<00:38:20.103> is<00:38:20.232> a<00:38:20.264> system<00:38:20.713> that<00:38:20.954> supports<00:38:21.677> you.

00:38:21.917 --> 00:38:25.386
You<00:38:21.998> can<00:38:22.255> go<00:38:22.495> and<00:38:22.656> claim<00:38:23.138> and<00:38:23.298> then<00:38:24.181> get<00:38:24.406> your<00:38:24.583> rights<00:38:25.065> back.

00:38:25.883 --> 00:38:35.084
So<00:38:26.269> it's<00:38:26.750> more<00:38:27.072> of,<00:38:27.537> um,<00:38:29.464> how<00:38:29.641> to<00:38:29.737> say,<00:38:31.166> the<00:38:31.391> juridical<00:38:31.969> system<00:38:32.756> is<00:38:33.639> very<00:38:33.880> fair<00:38:34.313> in<00:38:34.458> this<00:38:34.618> country.

00:38:35.727 --> 00:38:37.582
And<00:38:35.808> I<00:38:35.969> really<00:38:36.695> liked<00:38:37.114> about<00:38:37.518> it.

00:38:38.308 --> 00:38:51.110
And<00:38:38.470> then,<00:38:40.664> and<00:38:40.744> there's<00:38:41.132> a<00:38:41.228> lot<00:38:41.470> of<00:38:42.035> opportunities<00:38:42.842> for<00:38:43.148> women,<00:38:43.552> of<00:38:43.729> course,<00:38:44.052> in<00:38:44.132> the<00:38:44.181> United<00:38:44.455> States<00:38:44.778> than<00:38:44.923> it<00:38:45.100> was<00:38:45.230> back<00:38:45.441> in<00:38:45.571> Afghanistan,<00:38:46.318> even<00:38:46.626> before<00:38:46.870> the<00:38:46.968> Taliban,<00:38:48.170> which<00:38:48.283> is<00:38:48.429> why<00:38:48.738> I<00:38:48.900> like<00:38:49.079> being<00:38:49.956> in<00:38:50.135> the<00:38:50.297> United<00:38:50.850> States.

00:38:52.462 --> 00:38:58.511
And<00:38:52.769> yes,<00:38:55.269> the<00:38:55.366> challenging<00:38:55.930> part<00:38:56.253> is<00:38:56.398> of<00:38:56.575> course<00:38:57.124> the<00:38:57.220> language<00:38:57.785> and<00:38:57.946> other<00:38:58.204> stuff.

00:38:59.140 --> 00:39:02.220
Asma,<00:38:59.479> let<00:38:59.575> me<00:38:59.704> tell<00:38:59.882> you,<00:39:00.204> you<00:39:00.462> speak<00:39:00.995> English<00:39:01.495> better<00:39:01.737> than<00:39:01.882> I<00:39:02.059> do.

00:39:02.763 --> 00:39:05.139
Your<00:39:03.405> English<00:39:03.871> is<00:39:04.336> wonderful.

00:39:05.428 --> 00:39:06.552
Thank<00:39:06.456> you.

00:39:06.697 --> 00:39:08.174
Like,<00:39:07.082> I'm<00:39:07.275> going<00:39:07.371> to<00:39:07.484> keep<00:39:07.725> saying<00:39:08.046> this.

00:39:08.223 --> 00:39:11.675
I've<00:39:08.367> never<00:39:08.769> even<00:39:09.507> interviewed<00:39:09.925> or<00:39:10.069> talked<00:39:10.310> to<00:39:10.374> anyone<00:39:11.274> like<00:39:11.579> you.

00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:19.801
You<00:39:11.916> are<00:39:12.318> such<00:39:12.558> an<00:39:12.639> inspiration<00:39:14.068> and<00:39:14.550> a<00:39:15.112> living<00:39:15.449> hero<00:39:16.477> and<00:39:17.151> someone<00:39:17.537> who's<00:39:17.761> really<00:39:18.018> made<00:39:18.243> your<00:39:18.340> family<00:39:18.821> and<00:39:18.966> your<00:39:19.062> people<00:39:19.383> proud.

00:39:20.347 --> 00:39:21.792
And<00:39:20.411> I'm<00:39:20.572> sure<00:39:20.716> you'll<00:39:20.909> continue<00:39:21.310> to<00:39:21.391> do<00:39:21.551> that.

00:39:22.194 --> 00:39:26.819
Like,<00:39:22.419> I<00:39:22.515> see<00:39:22.836> you<00:39:23.061> as<00:39:23.157> like<00:39:23.398> the<00:39:24.185> future<00:39:24.603> president<00:39:25.550> of<00:39:26.032> Afghanistan.

00:39:27.638 --> 00:39:29.709
Asma,<00:39:28.071> I<00:39:28.119> think<00:39:28.312> it's<00:39:28.698> incredible<00:39:29.163> what<00:39:29.324> you're<00:39:29.484> doing.

00:39:30.408 --> 00:39:31.323
Uh,<00:39:30.504> let<00:39:30.568> me<00:39:30.745> ask<00:39:30.906> you<00:39:31.066> this.

00:39:31.613 --> 00:39:40.424
What<00:39:31.854> can<00:39:32.191> we<00:39:32.593> do,<00:39:34.184> um,<00:39:34.601> as<00:39:34.746> Americans<00:39:35.389> and,<00:39:35.549> and,<00:39:35.630> you<00:39:35.662> know,<00:39:35.951> everyone<00:39:36.513> else<00:39:36.706> who<00:39:36.835> watches<00:39:37.317> this,<00:39:37.799> um,<00:39:38.538> or<00:39:38.683> listens<00:39:39.020> to<00:39:39.181> this<00:39:39.587> around<00:39:39.981> the<00:39:40.145> world?

00:39:40.473 --> 00:39:41.540
How<00:39:40.719> can<00:39:40.900> we<00:39:41.130> help<00:39:41.458> you?

00:39:41.704 --> 00:39:42.837
How<00:39:41.885> can<00:39:42.049> we<00:39:42.197> help<00:39:42.345> Afghanistan?

00:39:45.668 --> 00:39:54.865
Well,<00:39:46.460> um,<00:39:47.834> thank<00:39:48.012> you<00:39:48.093> so<00:39:48.335> much<00:39:48.578> from<00:39:48.885> you<00:39:49.127> for<00:39:49.289> having<00:39:49.628> me<00:39:49.887> on<00:39:50.032> your<00:39:50.259> show<00:39:50.517> and<00:39:50.679> for<00:39:51.147> all<00:39:51.228> of<00:39:51.325> your<00:39:51.632> audience,<00:39:52.521> whoever<00:39:52.941> is<00:39:53.168> listening<00:39:53.733> or<00:39:53.895> watching<00:39:54.235> this<00:39:54.461> interview.

00:39:55.863 --> 00:39:58.856
There<00:39:56.108> are<00:39:56.272> many<00:39:56.583> ways<00:39:56.844> that<00:39:56.991> you<00:39:57.090> can<00:39:57.319> help<00:39:57.744> in<00:39:57.907> Afghanistan.

00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:22.473
First<00:40:02.150> of<00:40:02.361> all,<00:40:03.333> I<00:40:03.495> want<00:40:03.997> everyone<00:40:04.629> watching<00:40:05.115> this<00:40:05.375> interview<00:40:06.574> or<00:40:07.076> any<00:40:07.384> other<00:40:07.579> interviews<00:40:09.815> to<00:40:12.066> ensure<00:40:12.532> that<00:40:12.709> we<00:40:12.870> will<00:40:13.192> not<00:40:13.739> recognize<00:40:14.961> the<00:40:15.106> government<00:40:15.701> of<00:40:15.910> Taliban<00:40:16.972> as<00:40:17.117> an<00:40:17.358> official<00:40:17.840> government<00:40:18.419> of<00:40:18.564> Afghanistan<00:40:20.108> in<00:40:20.510> any<00:40:20.819> other<00:40:20.968> country<00:40:21.414> or<00:40:21.646> in<00:40:21.812> United<00:40:22.176> States.

00:40:23.057 --> 00:40:25.849
Because<00:40:23.635> we<00:40:23.795> should<00:40:24.036> not<00:40:24.276> give<00:40:24.533> them<00:40:25.079> legitimacy.

00:40:26.202 --> 00:40:40.145
If<00:40:26.282> we<00:40:26.523> give<00:40:26.747> them<00:40:26.924> the<00:40:27.068> legitimacy,<00:40:28.352> we<00:40:28.512> accept<00:40:29.154> the<00:40:29.331> violence,<00:40:30.277> the<00:40:30.438> corruptions,<00:40:31.641> and<00:40:33.807> the<00:40:33.904> terrorists<00:40:35.267> to<00:40:35.412> be<00:40:36.166> a<00:40:36.936> part<00:40:38.878> of<00:40:39.359> a<00:40:39.439> legal<00:40:39.696> system.

00:40:40.338 --> 00:40:46.066
So<00:40:40.482> it's<00:40:41.124> not<00:40:41.445> just<00:40:41.750> about<00:40:42.087> Afghanistan,<00:40:42.873> it's<00:40:43.049> about<00:40:43.595> our<00:40:43.852> morality<00:40:44.975> in<00:40:45.280> all<00:40:45.440> around<00:40:45.697> the<00:40:45.777> world.

00:40:46.595 --> 00:40:50.478
Something<00:40:47.205> that<00:40:47.366> we<00:40:47.686> all<00:40:48.007> value<00:40:48.649> is<00:40:48.826> freedom<00:40:49.628> and<00:40:49.788> democracy.

00:40:51.056 --> 00:40:55.143
And<00:40:51.312> everyone<00:40:51.713> should<00:40:51.953> be—<00:40:52.594> everyone's<00:40:53.075> born<00:40:53.380> equal<00:40:53.860> and<00:40:53.941> should<00:40:54.181> be<00:40:54.277> treated<00:40:54.758> equal.

00:40:55.559 --> 00:41:03.941
So<00:40:55.784> giving<00:40:56.040> them<00:40:56.344> legitimacy<00:40:57.242> is<00:40:57.803> like<00:40:58.123> we<00:40:58.204> violating<00:40:58.925> that,<00:40:59.389> our<00:41:00.688> moral<00:41:01.088> responsibility,<00:41:02.515> our<00:41:02.755> morality.

00:41:04.630 --> 00:41:07.643
So,<00:41:05.159> and<00:41:05.255> there<00:41:05.720> are<00:41:06.121> other<00:41:06.361> ways<00:41:06.697> to<00:41:06.858> help<00:41:07.178> as<00:41:07.403> well.

00:41:07.899 --> 00:41:33.941
And<00:41:08.220> if<00:41:08.444> you're,<00:41:09.983> if<00:41:10.047> you<00:41:10.127> can<00:41:10.303> get<00:41:10.464> in<00:41:10.608> touch<00:41:11.025> with<00:41:11.329> Afghans,<00:41:12.146> Afghan<00:41:12.467> women<00:41:13.028> in<00:41:13.172> particular,<00:41:14.534> they<00:41:14.630> can,<00:41:15.015> you<00:41:15.095> can<00:41:16.313> mentor<00:41:16.874> them,<00:41:17.115> you<00:41:17.195> can<00:41:17.419> help<00:41:17.740> them<00:41:17.916> to<00:41:18.060> get<00:41:18.236> educations<00:41:18.958> because<00:41:19.839> as<00:41:19.999> you<00:41:20.144> can<00:41:20.256> see,<00:41:21.603> They<00:41:21.828> closed<00:41:23.193> the<00:41:23.290> schools,<00:41:24.398> the<00:41:24.478> universities<00:41:25.217> for<00:41:25.442> women,<00:41:26.342> and<00:41:26.487> we<00:41:26.583> have<00:41:26.760> a<00:41:26.840> massive<00:41:27.467> amount<00:41:27.804> of<00:41:28.013> girls<00:41:28.431> and<00:41:28.575> Afghan<00:41:28.912> women<00:41:29.234> that<00:41:29.394> are<00:41:29.941> out<00:41:30.182> of<00:41:30.294> school<00:41:31.387> and<00:41:31.628> they're<00:41:31.869> being<00:41:32.270> left<00:41:33.491> alone.

00:41:34.198 --> 00:41:38.921
They're<00:41:34.439> being<00:41:34.696> left<00:41:35.724> by<00:41:35.901> themselves<00:41:36.544> and<00:41:36.688> no<00:41:36.785> one<00:41:36.897> around<00:41:37.652> the<00:41:37.733> world<00:41:37.990> even<00:41:38.295> cares<00:41:38.536> about<00:41:38.857> them.

00:41:39.034 --> 00:41:49.860
So<00:41:39.982> anything<00:41:40.303> you<00:41:40.464> can<00:41:40.640> do<00:41:41.187> to<00:41:41.283> make<00:41:41.540> an<00:41:41.685> improvement<00:41:42.327> in<00:41:42.472> their<00:41:42.713> lives<00:41:43.291> or<00:41:43.516> make<00:41:43.693> them<00:41:44.657> even<00:41:45.203> to<00:41:45.765> like<00:41:46.247> to<00:41:46.408> rise<00:41:46.729> their<00:41:46.890> voices,<00:41:48.031> that's<00:41:48.512> That's<00:41:48.817> a<00:41:48.978> great<00:41:49.234> thing<00:41:49.475> to<00:41:49.635> do.

00:41:50.502 --> 00:41:52.893
So<00:41:51.063> thank<00:41:51.304> you<00:41:51.400> for<00:41:51.641> taking<00:41:51.946> your<00:41:52.122> time<00:41:52.347> and<00:41:52.443> doing<00:41:52.748> that.

00:41:53.711 --> 00:42:04.525
And<00:41:54.192> of<00:41:54.369> course,<00:41:55.251> when<00:41:55.412> it<00:41:55.492> comes<00:41:55.877> to<00:41:55.909> me,<00:41:56.615> I'm<00:41:56.775> still<00:41:57.096> struggling<00:41:57.738> to<00:41:57.883> raise<00:41:58.139> funds<00:41:58.460> for<00:41:58.556> my<00:41:58.701> education<00:42:00.145> and<00:42:00.305> to<00:42:00.386> be<00:42:00.546> able<00:42:00.867> to<00:42:01.428> change<00:42:01.749> this<00:42:03.113> vision<00:42:03.578> into<00:42:03.819> a<00:42:03.915> reality.

00:42:05.263 --> 00:42:06.691
And<00:42:05.584> I<00:42:05.664> do<00:42:05.761> need<00:42:06.081> your<00:42:06.242> support.

00:42:06.884 --> 00:42:15.355
So<00:42:07.205> if<00:42:07.349> you're,<00:42:08.231> if<00:42:08.328> you're<00:42:09.355> willing<00:42:09.676> to<00:42:09.836> help,<00:42:11.136> I'm<00:42:11.296> sure<00:42:11.601> that<00:42:12.820> my<00:42:13.061> donation<00:42:13.607> link<00:42:13.783> to<00:42:13.879> my<00:42:14.104> donation<00:42:14.489> will<00:42:14.649> be<00:42:14.810> posted<00:42:15.211> there.

00:42:15.404 --> 00:42:16.591
So<00:42:15.692> you're<00:42:16.094> most<00:42:16.334> welcome.

00:42:16.832 --> 00:42:18.856
To<00:42:16.992> donate<00:42:17.314> it<00:42:17.394> towards<00:42:17.780> my<00:42:17.940> education<00:42:18.503> fund.

00:42:19.627 --> 00:42:21.186
And<00:42:20.206> thank<00:42:20.447> you<00:42:20.527> so<00:42:20.848> much.

00:42:21.957 --> 00:42:22.696
Yes,<00:42:22.278> absolutely.

00:42:22.776 --> 00:42:23.997
We'll<00:42:22.921> put<00:42:23.097> the<00:42:23.242> link<00:42:23.435> out<00:42:23.660> there.

00:42:24.206 --> 00:42:27.082
And<00:42:24.527> again,<00:42:24.929> Asma,<00:42:25.331> I<00:42:25.427> just<00:42:25.572> want<00:42:25.684> to<00:42:25.748> thank<00:42:25.909> you<00:42:25.989> so<00:42:26.150> much<00:42:26.375> for<00:42:26.471> coming<00:42:26.793> on.

00:42:27.596 --> 00:42:30.938
We'll<00:42:27.741> follow<00:42:28.078> up<00:42:28.223> with<00:42:28.335> you<00:42:28.560> here<00:42:28.881> too<00:42:29.203> as,<00:42:29.749> as<00:42:29.845> your<00:42:29.990> journey<00:42:30.311> continues.

00:42:31.050 --> 00:42:34.858
But,<00:42:31.356> um,<00:42:32.561> you<00:42:32.802> are,<00:42:33.380> you<00:42:33.541> are<00:42:33.701> a<00:42:33.782> hero,<00:42:34.569> Asma.

00:42:34.970 --> 00:42:41.349
Thank<00:42:35.228> you,<00:42:35.613> uh,<00:42:35.790> for<00:42:36.256> everything<00:42:36.738> you<00:42:36.834> did<00:42:37.155> and,<00:42:38.023> um,<00:42:38.264> are<00:42:38.425> doing,<00:42:39.067> uh,<00:42:39.405> for<00:42:40.047> your<00:42:40.353> people<00:42:40.754> and<00:42:40.835> your<00:42:40.995> family.

00:42:41.413 --> 00:42:46.637
It's,<00:42:41.734> it's,<00:42:42.040> it's<00:42:42.200> absolutely<00:42:42.618> wonderful<00:42:43.341> and<00:42:44.122> Um,<00:42:44.863> I'm<00:42:45.073> sure<00:42:45.492> they're<00:42:45.718> all<00:42:45.879> very<00:42:46.137> proud<00:42:46.443> of<00:42:46.540> you.

00:42:48.217 --> 00:42:49.088
Thank<00:42:48.394> you<00:42:48.491> so<00:42:48.797> much.

```