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'They loved books' - Kabul graveyard library dedicated to 2 cousins seeks to inspire Afghan schoolgirls03:37

'They loved books' - Kabul graveyard library dedicated to 2 cousins seeks to inspire Afghan schoolgirls

Afghanistan, Kabul
March 18, 2023 at 12:28 GMT +00:00 · Published

Family members of cousins Hajar and Marzia Mohammadi who were killed during an attack at an education centre in Dasht-e-Barchi said a graveyard library set up at the graves of the schoolgirls aims to inspire other Afghan girls to dream big.

Footage recorded on Friday in Kabul shows drawings created by both cousins, as well as their graveyard on the outskirts of the Afghan capital.

"They loved books,” said Zahra Mohammadi, Mariza’s sister who added despite a faulty education system in the country, the 16-year-olds were able to dream big just by reading more books.

"We placed those books in this library to share those books with other girls, or to create goals from it, or to know that women and girls can also reach high positions" she added.

On September 30, 2022, 53 students were killed following a suicide bomb attack at a Kaaj education centre in Dasht-e-Barchi, a predominantly Shia Muslim and Hazara ethnic minority neighbourhood. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the affiliate of the ISIL (ISIS) armed group in Afghanistan, the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), has targeted places where Hazaras worship, study and work.

'They loved books' - Kabul graveyard library dedicated to 2 cousins seeks to inspire Afghan schoolgirls03:37
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Family members of cousins Hajar and Marzia Mohammadi who were killed during an attack at an education centre in Dasht-e-Barchi said a graveyard library set up at the graves of the schoolgirls aims to inspire other Afghan girls to dream big.

Footage recorded on Friday in Kabul shows drawings created by both cousins, as well as their graveyard on the outskirts of the Afghan capital.

"They loved books,” said Zahra Mohammadi, Mariza’s sister who added despite a faulty education system in the country, the 16-year-olds were able to dream big just by reading more books.

"We placed those books in this library to share those books with other girls, or to create goals from it, or to know that women and girls can also reach high positions" she added.

On September 30, 2022, 53 students were killed following a suicide bomb attack at a Kaaj education centre in Dasht-e-Barchi, a predominantly Shia Muslim and Hazara ethnic minority neighbourhood. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the affiliate of the ISIL (ISIS) armed group in Afghanistan, the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), has targeted places where Hazaras worship, study and work.