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Queen Soraya Tarzi, queen of Afghanistan, from Syria Queen Soraya Tarzi, Queen of Afghanistan was a voice for feminism

Did you know women in Afghanistan got the right to vote before women in countries like USA, France, Ireland, UK and Sweden? It was one of the first reforms King Amanullah and Queen Soraya put into action, after declaring Afghanistan’s independence in 1919. The young Royal Couple were eager and enthusiastic to build their new nation; a nation where women should be equal to men. With the Queen as Minister of Education; secular schools for girls and boys were built, also a hospital for women in Kabul and a theatre.
King Amanullah of Afghanistan
King Amanullah of Afghanistan

A women’s magazine and a women’s organization to protect girls/women from abuse and domestic violence were also founded by Queen Soraya, the Muslim world’s first feminist, who also arranged for young Afghan men and women to take higher education abroad.

Queen Soraya of AfghanistanQueen Soraya of Afghanistan was the first feminist of the Arab world

The King and Queen gave Afghanistan its first Constitution in 1923; where slavery and child marriage were forbidden. Women should have the right to choose their own husband, so forced marriage was outlawed. Polygamy and use of veil and burka head coverings were discouraged. Afghanistan’s promising start lasted only a decade. The liberal reforms were not received kindly by the ultra-conservative Islamists; who orchestrated a widespread rebellion in 1928. In order to spare the country and people from the horrors of a long civil war; the King abdicated and went into exile with his family in 1929. The picture below is one of their beautiful daughters; Princess Adela.
Princess Adela of Afghanistan
Princess Adela of Afghanistan, the daughter of Queen Soraya and King Amanullah

Who was Queen Soraya?

Queen Soraya Tarzi of Afghanistan was born on November 24, 1899 in Damascus, Ottoman-ruled Syria and she played a significant role as the Queen of Afghanistan from February 28, 1919, to January 14, 1929. She was the daughter of Asma Rasmiya and Mahmud Tarzi, a prominent intellectual and politician advocating for the modernization of Afghanistan. From the Pashtun Barakzai tribe, Queen Soraya received her education from her forward-thinking father, setting the stage for her future as a trailblazer.

The Tarzi family’s return to Afghanistan coincided with the ascension of Amanullah Khan to the throne in 1919. Amanullah Khan’s father, Amir Habibullah Khan, had called upon Afghan exiles to return to their homeland. It was during this time that Queen Soraya met Amanullah Khan and they were married in 1913. This union marked the beginning of a powerful partnership that would shape the destiny of Afghanistan. Queen Soraya, unlike her predecessors, emerged as a true partner to her husband.

As King Amanullah Khan led the nation through a period of transformation, Soraya stood by his side at various events, from national gatherings to hunting parties and cabinet meetings. Notably, she broke new ground as the first Muslim wife to appear publicly with her husband.

Her influence extended beyond Afghanistan, capturing the attention of the entire Muslim world. In 1928, Queen Soraya received an honorary degree from Oxford University, highlighting her global recognition and the respect she garnered in academic circles. Despite her achievements, the rapid modernization efforts spearheaded by the monarchy faced resistance in more traditional provinces.

Fearing rebellion, King Amanullah Khan made the difficult decision to abdicate, leading the royal family into exile in Rome, Italy. Their last daughter alive, Princess India, daughter of King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya, died at 94 in 2023 in Rome. If you look around a Rome you may find the grand-children of King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya.

Princess India, of Afghanistan
Princess India, the youngest daughter of the Afghanistan royal family who died in 2023

Queen Soraya continued her advocacy for women’s rights and education during the exile, remaining a compassionate and dedicated figure. Her efforts, however, were overshadowed by the challenges faced by the modernization initiatives in Afghanistan. The queen passed away at the age of 68 in Rome, leaving behind a legacy of progressive ideals and dedication to her nation.

Today, Queen Soraya Tarzi is remembered as a pioneering queen who played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s journey towards modernization. Her burial in the Bagh-e-Shaheed mausoleum in Jalalabad, alongside King Amanullah Khan, serves as a reminder of their enduring impact on Afghan history.

This is in stark contrast to Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad. Asma al-Assad, from London, England, is known for being the Queen of Captagon.

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