Famous Afghan Writers

Rumi lived most of his life under the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, producing works and teachings as an Islamic scholar and mystic. He inherited the position of Islamic molvi from his father, becoming an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas, and giving sermons. Rumi's public life began after he practiced Sufism as a disciple of a mentor until the mentor's death. He traveled to Damascus and had a transformative meeting with Shams-e Tabrizi, leading him to focus on asceticism and spiritual teachings.

Nūr ad-Dīn 'Abd ar-Rahmān Jāmī was a Sunni poet-theologian and scholar renowned for his prolific contributions to mystical Sufi literature. As a prominent figure in the school of Ibn Arabi and a Khwājagānī Sũfī, he was recognized for his eloquence and profound insights into metaphysics, particularly regarding mercy. Jami's professional life centered around his role as a writer, producing famous poetic works such as Haft Awrang, Tuhfat al-Ahrar, Layla wa Majnun, and others, while also being a member of the Naqshbandi Sufi order.

Homeira Qaderi is an Afghan writer, women's rights advocate, and professor of Persian literature. She currently holds the position of Robert G. James Scholar Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Research, Harvard University. With a focus on promoting women's rights and advancing the field of Persian literature, Qaderi has established herself as a prominent figure in academia and activism. Her work at Harvard University showcases her dedication to research and scholarly pursuits in the pursuit of gender equality and cultural understanding.

Nadia Anjuman was a prominent poet from Afghanistan known for her powerful and evocative writing. She made significant contributions to Persian literature, especially in the genre of poetry. Anjuman's work often explored themes of love, loss, and the struggles faced by women in Afghan society. She gained recognition for her unique poetic style and ability to capture complex emotions in her verses. Anjuman's impact on the literary world continues to be felt through the enduring relevance of her works.

Sakena Yacoobi is an Afghan activist renowned for her advocacy in promoting education accessibility for women and children. She holds the positions of founder and executive director at the Afghan Institute of Learning, a women-led NGO. Yacoobi's remarkable contributions have been globally acknowledged, with prestigious awards such as the 2013 Opus Prize, the 2015 WISE Prize, and the 2016 Harold W. McGraw Prize in Education. Additionally, she has been granted an honorary degree from Princeton University, solidifying her impactful presence in the field of education and human rights.

Nadia Ghulam led a unique professional life, spending a decade disguised as a boy to work and provide for her family under the Taliban's oppressive regime. Her courage and determination led her to share her experiences in the book "El secret del meu turbant," co-authored with Agnès Rotger in 2010. This compelling narrative earned her the prestigious Prudenci Bertrana Prize for fiction, showcasing her talent as a writer and storyteller who shed light on the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan.

Amir Jan Sabori is a multi-talented artist from Herat, Afghanistan, known for his skills as a singer, musician, composer, and poet. After a significant hiatus in his career, he made a comeback in 2005 with the release of his album "This Is Life." Sabori's contributions to the music industry extend beyond his own work, as he has also been involved in music production for emerging talents like Tawab Arash. His story is captured in the documentary "Golden Dream," shedding light on his artistic journey and impact.

Chékéba Hachemi is an Afghan feminist, writer, and diplomat. In 2001, she made history as the first Afghan woman to become a diplomat. She is the President and founder of the NGO Afghanistan Libre, where she works to advance the rights and empowerment of Afghan women. Hachemi's professional life is characterized by her dedication to advocating for gender equality and social justice in Afghanistan. Through her work as a diplomat and activist, she has made significant contributions to the advancement of women's rights in her country.

Fereshteh Forough is a prominent figure in the tech industry, known for her significant contributions to empowering women in coding. Initially studying literature, she transitioned to computer science and established Afghanistan's first all-female coding school, Code to Inspire. Fereshteh is a respected speaker for organizations like Peace is Loud and TED Talk, advocating for gender equality and tech education. She also serves as a mentor for Google's Made With Code initiative, guiding and inspiring young women in pursuing careers in technology.

Zohre Esmaeli is a prominent figure in the fashion industry, known for her work as a model, designer, and author. Originally from Afghanistan, she currently resides in Berlin, Germany. Esmaeli gained recognition as the sole international top model representing Afghanistan in 2014. Her professional endeavors showcase her versatility and talent within the fashion world. With a successful career spanning various creative fields, Esmaeli continues to make a significant impact with her unique perspective and contributions to the industry.

Nāzo Tokhī, known as Nāzo Anā, was an esteemed Afghan poet and writer in the Pashto language. Her professional life was marked by her significant contributions to Pashto literature through her poetic works. She was a prominent figure in the cultural landscape of Afghanistan, revered for her literary prowess and courage. Nāzo Tokhī's legacy as a talented poet, along with her fearless spirit as a woman warrior, has solidified her place in Afghan history as the "Mother of the Afghan Nation".

Ustad Awalmir was an influential Afghan composer, musician, singer, and poet who made significant contributions to Pashto music. He started his musical journey as a teenager, learning from various teachers and eventually performing on radio broadcasts. With over 250 songs to his name, he gained recognition for his talent and received the title of Ustad from the Ministry of Culture and Information. Awalmir's songs often celebrated Afghanistan, with notable pieces like "Da Zamong Zeba Watan" reflecting his love for his homeland.

Maryam Mahboob is an Afghan author known for her insightful writings on Afghan migrants and patriarchy within Afghan society. She embarked on her professional journey by completing her secondary education in Kabul and furthering her studies at Tehran University for her Master's degree. Following the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, Mahboob relocated to Pakistan and then Delhi, India, where she co-founded the journal Gahnama to voice cultural resistance. Eventually settling in Canada, she continued to produce impactful fiction works focusing on women's oppression and societal norms.

Maryam Durani is a prominent Afghan women's rights activist known for her dedication to empowering women in Afghanistan. Her impactful work led to her receiving the prestigious International Women of Courage Award in 2012. That same year, Durani was recognized in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World list. In addition to these accolades, she has also been honored with the Simorgh International Peace Prize for her contributions to promoting peace and gender equality in her community and beyond.

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a revered Sufi saint and poet in South Asia. Born in Marwand, he eventually settled in Sindh, where he gained a significant following among the local Sindhi population. Through his mystical teachings and poetry, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar promoted love, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment. He became known for his deep spiritual insights and devotion to God, inspiring many followers to seek a more profound connection with the divine. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's legacy continues to be honored and celebrated in the region.

Youssof Kohzad was a multi-talented Afghan artist with a diverse professional background. He was known for his work as a writer, painter, playwright, poet, actor, and art consultant. Kohzad was an influential figure in the arts community, showcasing his creativity and talent across various mediums. His artistic contributions extended to the stage, canvas, and written word, leaving a lasting impact on those who experienced his work. Kohzad's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists and art enthusiasts around the world.

Akram Osman was an accomplished Afghan short-story writer, novelist, and intellectual with a diverse professional background. He held a PhD in Law and political science, worked in various roles at Afghanistan's Radio and Television, including as head of the Art and Literature Department. He was a member of the Science Academy of Afghanistan, serving as head of the History and Law Institutes. Osman also held positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as president of Afghanistan's Writers Association. Additionally, he was recognized for his contributions to Afghan literature and received honors for his work.

Elham Yaghoubian is an Iranian political activist and prolific author. She is the founder of the social-media group turned non-profit organization, Iran-Israel Alliance of Nations. Yaghoubian is known for her novels, including Ashk-e Sham and Tondbad e Sarnevesht, which focus on the experiences of Persian women. Through her writing and activism, she sheds light on important social and political issues, advocating for change and empowerment. Yaghoubian's professional life is characterized by a dedication to promoting dialogue, understanding, and the rights of women in Persian society.

Ayesha Durrani, also known as Aisha-i-Durani, was an influential Afghan poet who gained prominence in the late 18th century. She was a prolific writer of qasidas and ghazals and was well-versed in Arabic, Persian literature, and Islamic law. Durrani is credited with founding the first school for girls in Afghanistan, a groundbreaking achievement in her time. Her poetry continued to be celebrated even after the collapse of the Durrani Empire, with a renewed interest in her works during the Barakzai-ruled Emirate of Afghanistan in the 19th century.

Sayyida Makhfi-Badakhshi was a renowned poet from Afghanistan known for her ghazals. She began her professional career with the publication of her first work in a monthly magazine in 1992. In the 1990s, she released her first collection of poetry in Faizabad, Afghanistan. Throughout her career, only a few of her works were translated into English, limiting her international recognition. Makhfi-Badakhshi's talent and dedication to poetry earned her the admiration of contemporaries like poet Khalilullah Khalili.

Layla Sarahat Rushani, an Afghan poet, gained recognition for her numerous poetry collections, predominantly featuring modern Persian poems. She was compelled to flee Afghanistan due to the persecution of women by the Taliban and resettled in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, Rushani continued her literary endeavors by founding and publishing a well-received literary journal called "Eve in Exile." Her work as a poet and publisher in both Afghanistan and the Netherlands showcased her talent and commitment to literature.

Spôjmaï Zariâb, an Afghan author, gained recognition for her short stories and has been living in exile in France since 1991. Having started her career as a translator at the French embassy in Afghanistan, she was forced to flee to France due to the Russian invasion. Zariâb is best known for her works such as "The Man from Kabul" and "Babylon Reconquered." Her professional life has been dedicated to writing impactful stories that resonate with readers and highlight her unique perspective and experiences.