When you help one man, you help the entire Universe, finalist of Aurora Prize 2017, Jamilia Afghani, stated on Friday, speaking during the meeting at the American University of Armenia (AUA). 

Referring to her work experience with imams in Afghanistan, she noted that it is very hard to be involved in communication with religious imams.

According to Afghani, they claim that according to Islam, a woman should obey a man and do what the latter says. “But I started learning Arabic and reading Quran. I saw that Quran doesn’t discriminate between men and women, and underscores the importance of education. Then I realized the strategic importance of work with imams,” the finalist stressed.

Jamilia Afghani  is the Chairperson of the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organization, Afghanistan. She is a polio victim who accidentally received the gift of reading and has since then dedicated her life to bringing reading and education to girls and women. She also works with Muslim leaders of faith.