That same day, together with other members of our team, we began making the first preparations. Our goal was never to support any political party. Our goal was to peacefully raise awareness about the situation of women in Afghanistan and to send a clear message against the normalization of the Taliban.

The First Challenge

We registered our demonstration for 11 July 2026.

For weeks, we worked on every detail.

We prepared the program, designed posters and flyers, informed the public, coordinated with local authorities, and organized our speakers.

Then something happened that none of us had expected.

Only 48 hours before the event, we had to cancel it.

Many Afghan participants withdrew their participation at the last minute.

The reason was fear.

Fear for family members still living in Afghanistan.

Fear of possible consequences.

Fear of being publicly identified.

For our entire team, it was an incredibly difficult moment.

We had invested so much time, energy, and passion into this event.

Of course, we were disappointed.

But at the same time, we realized even more clearly why our demonstration was necessary.

If people living in a democratic country are still afraid to raise their voices, how much greater must the fear be for women who are still living in Afghanistan?

So we made one decision:

We will not give up.

A New Beginning

Only a few days later, we started planning again, with the support of Mr. Rolf Berger from Flüchtlingshilfe Kehl e.V.

We applied for a new demonstration permit, updated our program, and once again reached out to supporters.

Many people encouraged us to continue.

And so, on 25 July 2026, we were finally able to hold our demonstration successfully in Kehl's market square.

The Demonstration

After the official welcome, our program continued with several speeches.

As one of the organizers, I spoke about the current situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. I also addressed the long-term consequences this oppression will have for the country's future and spoke about what I see as a double standard in international policy toward the Taliban. Human rights should never depend on political interests.

Sadaf Ehsami then explained why we had been forced to cancel the first demonstration. She spoke openly about the fears shared by many Afghans and explained why giving up was never an option. Her message was clear: when people are intimidated into silence, it becomes even more important to remain peacefully visible.

Erich Jais supported our initiative with an inspiring speech, reminding everyone that human rights are universal and do not stop at national borders.

Rolf Berger also addressed the audience and emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.

We had also planned a live musical performance. Unfortunately, the singer had to cancel only about two hours before the event. We therefore adjusted our program at short notice and played music through a playback system instead.

Afterward, Margarita Koshyl from Flüchtlingshilfe Kehl e.V. delivered a speech highlighting the importance of civil society, solidarity, and supporting those whose voices are being silenced.

The final speech was given by Sunam Kohistani, another member of the Afghan Community Group in Kehl. She explained why, in her view, the Taliban are not legitimate partners for normalization and why the voices of Afghan women must continue to be heard.

Throughout the event, visitors also had the opportunity to sign our petition in support of the rights of women in Afghanistan.

A Message That Was Heard

We were especially pleased that both the Kehler Zeitung and the Badische Zeitung reported on our demonstration.

Thanks to this media coverage, our message reached far beyond the market square in Kehl.

The photographs included in this article are from the reporting by Kehler Zeitung.

My Thanks

An event like this is never the achievement of just one person.

I would therefore like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this demonstration possible.

My special thanks go to Sadaf Ehsami, who first suggested organizing this demonstration and worked tirelessly throughout the planning process.

I also thank Sunam Kohistani, Nilab Ehsami, Zainab Kohistani, and Yalda Sultan for their dedication and support during the entire preparation.

I would also like to thank Erich Jais, Rolf Berger, and Margarita Koshyl from Flüchtlingshilfe Kehl e.V. for their solidarity, their support, and their valuable contributions as speakers.

My deepest personal thanks go to my wife, Raihana Ghafuri. After we had to cancel the first demonstration, I was disappointed and uncertain whether we should start all over again. She never stopped believing in our cause. Through her encouragement, support, and confidence in me, she gave me the strength and courage to continue and organize the demonstration a second time. For that, I will always be grateful.

I also thank all our volunteers, marshals, the City of Kehl, the police, everyone who attended the demonstration, and everyone who signed our petition and helped spread our message.

Without all of you, this demonstration would not have been possible.

My Personal Reflection

When we had to cancel the first demonstration, I was deeply disappointed.

Today, I look back on that day with gratitude.

Not because everything went perfectly.

But because we proved that fear does not have to have the final word.

Our demonstration did not solve the many problems facing Afghanistan.

But it was a symbol.

A symbol that women's rights are universal human rights.

A symbol that solidarity can cross borders.

And a symbol that silence is never the answer.

As long as women and girls in Afghanistan continue to be deprived of their freedom, education, and dignity, I will continue to peacefully raise my voice alongside many others.

For women's rights. Against the normalization of the Taliban.

📅 Date: July 29, 2026

✍ Author: Mohammad Akbar Mahmoody