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The shadow of forced marriage
Life in Afghanistan can play out in heart-wrenching ways. Only thirteen years old Layla's was forced to marry. Her father married her off to an older man who was a well-known religious figure in the city, a Quran reciter. Her childhood suddenly vanished from her grasp.
she found herself living under the shadow of forced marriage. From then, life became almost entirely about taking care of the house and feeding people. As if this was not enough to end growing up, at the same age she became a mother of two daughters.
Having become a mother, even more pressure came from the high reputation of her husband; she had to respect him with the same gravity. Everyone came to him for prayer, to follow his teaching, and her family expected her to do exactly what her husband said, repeatedly reminding her that doing so would ensure Allah loved her.
Escaping to India
Eventually the oppression became too much, and Layla fled from home with her two daughters, traveling as far as India for a few years, where she could not be found. It was much easier for her to find peace and live in a dignified way in New Dehli.
Even though it was hard and exhausting living there, Layla felt free because no one was forcing her to follow a religion. This was the beginning of a completely different life, a life where hope began to shine again.
Soon, Layla began training classes to improve her skillset for work. Little by little everything started to take shape. When she met one of her neighbors called Yasmin, her world changed again, but for the better. They became best friends, and after a while she realized her friend was a Christian convert from Islam.
One of the first things that impressed her about Christianity was how women are seen and treated. Unlike her experience, women are given dignity, respect, and rights. From seeing new light in the difference Jesus makes in people, Layla became a Christian and began studying and attending church with her friend.
The narrative could not be more different from living in a shadow of oppression, robbed of freedom to choose, she was free to follow Jesus and to choose who she married. As she continued to learn, after some time in church Layla met Hadi who was also at church. Shortly after they were married.
Returning to Afghanistan,
After they both eventually returned to Afghanistan, Layla shared what happened in India and her sister also became a Christian. However, once her husband realized this, he divorced her. This is devastating for Afghan women, since they cannot work. Having been disowned, she found refuge in Layla and Hadi’s home.
Not long after this dramatic turn of events, the atmosphere suddenly changed again for everyone, when the Taliban came in. They found themselves facing great danger for their beliefs, since their neighbors, friends and relatives were all aware they were Christians.
In the first weeks and months of the Taliban regime, Layla, Hadi and her sister all found themselves hiding in the shadows, to avoid being found. The threat of being killed and for the women, forced to marry a Taliban fighter was very real. For more than six months they tried changing homes
Shai Fund’s evacuation
Just before it became completely unbearable, Shai Fund contacted Layla and her family. As they endured living under the extremely harsh oppression, Layla described their situation, saying:
“Now that the Taliban have been here for six months, we have neither comfort nor tranquility. Everyone's lives are in danger, we have not been able to leave the house for six months now.”
Thankfully, Shai Fund stepped in to evacuate them from Afghanistan and assist with their relocation to a safe country. As a result of this, they can dream and plan again, building their lives in freedom to practice their faith, without the fear of being persecuted by the Taliban.
This dramatic but true story illustrates the incredible resilience of Afghan Christians. Yet there are still many Christians and women in Afghanistan who need help and assistance, escaping where they can live, work and worship with freedom conscience, unhindered by fear of oppression.
Written by Joshua Bellingham, Shai Fund Communications