Friends of the American University of Afghanistan

Education First

Donate
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Our Leadership
    • The American University of Afghanistan
  • Contact
  • Student and Alumni Profiles
    • Breshna Musazai ’18
    • Samir Mousavir ’22
  • Latest News & AUAF Highlights
    • November 14, 2019
    • November 28, 2019

November 21, 2019Leave a Comment

Breshna Musazai ’18

Bachelor of Arts and Law

You can hear Breshna’s story, firsthand, by clicking here.

In August 2016, the American University of Afghanistan was
subject to two terrorist attacks: a kidnapping of two of its professors and a gunfire explosion which claimed the lives of fifteen students, professors, and first responders. Dozens more were left injured. You were one of those students. Can you tell us about that day?

I was waiting in the prayer hall for my ride home. When I opened the door to leave; chaos, mayhem, and destruction began. Gunmen were everywhere, so I returned inside the hall to hide. I thought I was safe behind the locked doors, until the wall behind me collapsed. I waited until I heard silence and fled to the next building, thinking it was over. I came across a man who appeared in the dimly lit hallway to be a police officer. I stared at him with a sigh of relief. He immediately opened fire, shooting my “good leg” –one that was not affected by a case of childhood polio. I laid in the hallway for six hours, afraid and unable to move. Eventually the police discovered me, and I was transported to a hospital.

What inspired you to return to AUAF?

When AUAF opened its doors again in March of 2017, it had higher enrollment than before the attack took place. I was hesitant to return, as I knew each moment I spent on campus would remind me of the trauma. Students began writing around campus “Education will Prevail.” As scared as I was to go back, I knew this was true. I had to keep pursuing my dreams, for myself and for Afghanistan.  On my graduation day in the spring of 2018, I was still in my wheelchair, though I was committed to crossing the graduation stage as I had
originally imaged doing so years ago. For the first-time since the attack, I walked the length of the stage to receive my degree. I will never forget the standing ovation I received from my peers and professors. To this day, it gives me courage when I need it most.

How do you plan to use your AUAF degree?

I studied law at AUAF, an undergraduate program taught by Stanford Law School professors, and am pursuing a master’s degree so that I can advocate for the disabled in Afghanistan.

Tweet
PinIt

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Newsletter

Latest News

  • AUAF November 28, 2019 Highlights
  • 6327
  • AUAF November 2019 Highlights

Our Focus

Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) is a registered nonprofit. We are committed to supporting higher education in Afghanistan. Our goal is to prepare future leaders to meet the needs of the region through world class education.

Read More

Donate Generously

Mission Statement

Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) is dedicated to support higher education in Afghanistan through entities such as American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), Afghanistan’s only independent, private, not for profit, non-sectarian, coeducational institution of higher learning.

Latest News

  • AUAF November 28, 2019 Highlights
  • 6327
  • AUAF November 2019 Highlights

Newsletter

Copyright © 2019 Friends of the American University of Afghanistan | All Rights Reserved | Maintained by Gfxpixels