Khada’s brave faith in Afghanistan four years after Taliban takeover

Friday 15 August marks four years since the Taliban took back power in Afghanistan. Since then, Christians have been forced even further underground. It’s a desperate situation, yet believers like Khada are still seeing God at work.

Today (Friday 15 August) marks four years since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, forcing Christians even further underground in a country that was already incredibly dangerous for them.  

But brave believers like Khada* – whose story we first shared in July last year – are continuing to live out their faith. She gave the following interview about what life is like in Afghanistan now, and how she is still seeing God at work.  

Q: How are you coping since the loss of your husband? 

Khada: My life as a widow in my country is a blend of deep suffering and precious spiritual experiences. Losing my husband left a deep wound in my heart, yet my faith in Christ, prayer and God’s presence within me brought meaning and peace in the midst of hardship.  

Today, I run a small business and can support myself and my children. All my hope is in Jesus Christ. 

Q: What changes have you seen in the country over the last year? 

Khada: Compared to last year, the situation in the country has become somewhat calmer. Perhaps we’ve become accustomed to the presence of the Taliban, but this ‘habit’ does not mean acceptance. For me, it was a year of bitter experiences under difficult conditions, where women were not allowed to work outside the home, girls were not permitted to attend school, and universities were closed to females.  

Yet at the same time, I tasted the sweetness of God’s presence in my heart. I learned that God is not just a distant observer. He is a constant companion. In nights full of tears, He was with me; and in dark days, He lit up hope in my heart. I was not a weak woman, just a broken hearted one. But now I continue on, stronger, more independent, and with a deeper faith. 

• What is life like for Christians in Afghanistan? 

Q: Have you noticed any change in people’s attitudes towards women and government policies? 

Khada: The policies have become more restrictive, but the minds of some people are waking up. Some still see women only in traditional roles, but a group of young people, especially educated girls, are seeking change. 

We widows have been hurt in two ways: by the loss of our husbands and by increased social pressure. Yet I’ve come to understand that God created us with dignity, and I am not just surviving, I am truly living. 

Q: Have people accepted this situation or are they resisting it? 

Khada: Some have remained silent out of fear, but their hearts are full of protest. On the other hand, many brave women in the country are raising their voices through protests, underground education and social media. 

I believe that although danger exists, silence in the face of oppression is the same as siding with it. We must, cautiously but firmly, keep our voices alive. 

Q: What’s the current situation for women? 

Khada: Women have been practically erased from public life. Girls beyond the sixth grade cannot attend school, and only families with financial means can afford private tutors. Without a male guardian (mahram), women are not allowed to enter markets or travel. Parks, public baths and gyms are all off-limits to women. This is not just restriction, it’s a gradual erasure of women from society. 

Q: How are women coping with these restrictions? 

Khada: Afghan women are creative, brave and resilient. They use many ways to survive the restrictions placed on them. They write poems, memoirs and articles to record their voices. 

Q: Do you have any stories of people coming to faith? 

Khada: Coming to faith in this land is always accompanied by suffering. Many people, from the depths of doubt and despair, move towards true faith. When their prayers in their former religion go unanswered, they search for a light that leads to Jesus Christ. I have witnessed sceptics become beacons of faith after experiencing the love and protection of the Holy Spirit. 

I met Maryam* a few months ago. She was a woman marked by deep pain. After I shared my story with her, she grew close to me and began to open up about her own life. Maryam has several children. Her husband was killed in a war. He had been a cruel man who oppressed many people, and because of that, Maryam suffered deeply. After his death, she often wondered if God would forgive her, since she had been the wife of a cruel man. 

After she shared this, I prayed for her. I spoke about God’s forgiveness from the Holy Bible. When she heard this, Maryam wept deeply, hugged me tightly and said, “When I heard that God could forgive me, I felt free.” Today, Maryam is a strong believer. Faith finds its way in, even in the darkest times. 

Q: How can we pray for you? 

Khada: We truly need your prayers. Please remember us in the following areas: 

• The reopening of schools for our daughters 
• The safety and lives of our children 
• The breaking down of fear and oppression 
• The return of hope to our hearts 
• The achievement of social and legal justice 
• Patience, comfort and peace for our minds and souls. 

Whenever you pray for us, know that a new flame of hope is kindled in our hearts. In a world that often forgets us, just knowing that someone, somewhere, is praying with a bright heart for us means that we are seen. And to us, that means everything. 

*Names changed for security reasons