By Bruce Green
Afghan Coalition Board Member
From Left to Right: Teri Lindgren, Rona Popal, Dr. Mohammad Qayoumi, Hamid Nekrawesh, Bruce Green and Qasim Tarin
In 1979 two events shook the world: The Iranian Revolution and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. These events caused millions of refugees to scatter around the globe thereby creating the cultures of the Diaspora. Thirty years later the California State University East Bay (CSUEB) hosted the first Global Knowledge Conference where scholars gathered to present research and discuss the dynamics of this Diaspora.
The historic event took place October 22 – 24, 2009. The venue at CSU East Bay was appropriate for two reasons: First, the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the largest communities of Afghans and Iranians and secondly, the president of CSUEB, Dr. Mohammad Qayoumi, is a member of this Diaspora from Afghanistan.
The opening evening reception featured art and music from accomplished members of the Diaspora such as sculptor Sami Nadi and master of the Rubab, Homayun Sakhi. Friday’s dinner featured the Shahrzad Dance Academy performing traditional Persian dances. Original verses were recited by poets Najia Karim and Nosratollah Nooh.
This was a conference for both the head and the heart, featuring scholarly presentations as well as emotional personal narratives.
As the host of this noble gathering, Dr. Qayoumi set the stage with his presentation on the ancient history of Persia. Scholarly workshops from CSUEB faculty covered topics such as “How to Meet the Informational Needs of Afghan Women” by Dr. Valerie Smith and “Causes of High Divorce Rates among Diaspora Afghans” by Dr. Farid Younos, and the results of an extensive survey on “Health and Well-Being of Afghans in Northern California” presented by Dr. Carl Stempel.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Alam Payind, the director of the Middle East Studies Center, Ohio State University, who had just returned two days previously from Afghanistan to bring a fresh report of conditions and attitudes there. Dr. Shafiq Shamel from Stanford University shared his insights concerning “New Directions in Afghan and Iranian Scholarship.” The wrap-up plenary session featured Rona Popal, executive director of the Afghan Coalition and journalist Mizgon Zahir-Darby, discussing “Emerging Issues within the Diaspora.” The final emphasis was on the needs of the new generation, who represent both challenges and great potential for blessing.
The entire conference was videotaped and hopefully will be available for viewing on the CSUEB website in the near future. A published form of the conference will also be produced so the lessons can be passed on to others and the benefits of this effort can be multiplied.
Links:
Presentation by Afghan Coalition Board Member Teri Lindgren, Ph.D., UCSF, “Impact of Sept. 11 on Afghan Women’s Community Participation”
Presentation by Afghan Coalition partner Carl Stempel, Ph.D., CSUEB, Social and Experimental Influences on the Health and Well-Being of First Generation Afghans in Northern California”
Presentation by Afghan Coalition partners Aida Shirazi, Ph.D and Mehra Shirazi, Ph.D., UCB, “Afghan Immigrant Women’s Breast Health Knowledge and Behaviors”
For links to other wonderful presentations from the conference, please click here.
Presenter Biographies
