St. Louis is a special city. In so many ways, it is a classic American city. You can learn...
Shamsia Hassani, born in April 1988, is Afghanistan’s first female graffiti artist and a trailblazer in the world of contemporary art...
The Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant Competition offers Aghan refugees, immigrants, asylees, and green card holders who...
To whoever is reading this – let me start off by saying, I am glad you are here. St. Louis is a special city. In so many ways, it is a classic American city. You can learn a lot about the history of the United States by learning about the history of the city itself. But the reason I am writing this article today is not to talk about the past, but to share why I am so excited about the future of St. Louis and this place I call home.
To give you some background on myself, I grew up in the St. Louis area, but on the other side of the Mississippi River in Illinois in a small city called Alton (which has its own rich history that I would encourage anyone to visit!). When I was a kid, I would often go to Cardinals baseball games, Blues hockey games, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Science Center, the Magic House, the City Museum, and many more of the other attractions that
make this a great place to raise a family. But by the time I reached high school, I was committed to moving away from St. Louis. My dream was to move to the one of the coasts for greener pastures. And I did. After graduating college, my girlfriend at the time (who is now my wife) and I moved to Boston and moved into a small 400 square foot apartment in the city’s North End neighborhood. I was living my dream, living on the east coast and starting my career in the city’s tech startup scene, but yet I was so unhappy. My family was still located in the St. Louis area as well as many of my friends and we would often come to visit. When we did, we would do day trips into the city – visiting Forest Park, going to the Loop, grabbing BBQ in Midtown. Then one day, while we were in town for a friend’s wedding, my wife and I were sitting at the Anheuser Busch brewery eating fried pickles when I brought up the idea of moving to St. Louis city. To my surprise, she said yes, and we moved to St. Louis a few months after.
It was after moving back to St. Louis when I started to realize how special this city really is. This is one of the rare cities in America where the American Dream can still be achieved. You don’t need to be a doctor or a lawyer or a successful tech entrepreneur to own your own home to raise your family or to experience world-class amenities. I often tell my friends when I moved from Boston to St. Louis, it’s because I could find everything I liked about Boston in St. Louis, usually at a third of the cost. We have world class amenities including Forest Park, the Zoo, the Art Museum,
the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Missouri Historical Society. We have major sports team in soccer, baseball, and ice hockey. We have the world-renowned St. Louis Symphony and the Muny. And most of these amenities are FREE. In fact, we have the most free attractions outside of Washington D.C. With the combination of affordability, food, music, art, architecture, parks, and more, I believe St. Louis is the most underrated city in the United States.
But what I love most about St. Louis is the people. It is the kindness of my neighbors who look out for one another, or the friendly face at the coffee shop that leads to a long unexpected conversation. It is the little interactions like these along with the relationships that make up the culture of a city, and I want anyone reading this to know that you are a part of that culture, that I am excited to call you my neighbor, and that I hope we have a chance to run into each other soon.
Austin Gentry
austingentry49@protonmail.com
Shorwa is a traditional and widely enjoyed dish in Afghanistan, holding a special place in the hearts of its people. It is not time-consuming to prepare, and while it may remain relatively unknown outside of Afghanistan, it is a staple in Afghan households, often part of the weekly meal rotation. This hearty, broth-based dish is especially beneficial during the cold winter months.
Each person prepares Shorwa according to their own preferences, but the basic ingredients typically include: beef, oil, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, cilantro, garlic, fresh chili peppers, salt, and various spices, all used in the desired amounts. Some people substitute chickpeas with other vegetables, such as turnips, while others may stick to just meat and potatoes. Shorwa comes in different varieties, such as chicken Shorwa, head and feet Shorwa, beef Shorwa, lamb, goat, or vegetable Shorwa.
To prepare Shorwa, start by adding oil to a pot and heating it. Once the oil is hot, add chopped onions and fry them until they turn a golden brown or reddish color. Then, add the meat, followed by garlic, and sauté for a few minutes. Allow the meat to cook for about twenty minutes until it becomes tender. After that, add tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, and salt, and let everything simmer together for a few minutes. Next, add the carrots and potatoes, stirring them in thoroughly so that they mix well with the other ingredients. Then, add the necessary amount of water, followed by coriander seeds and chickpeas. Let the mixture simmer until all the ingredients are fully cooked.
Shorwa typically served with vegetables and freshly baked or warm bread, making it a satisfying and comforting meal.
Mahvash Adeli
Sami Hamed, born in 1969 in Badakhshan, is one of Afghanistan’s leading contemporary poets and intellectuals. He studied medicine in Balkh and learned Persian literature privately. Beyond poetry, he has worked in television directing, painting, satire, music composition, and theater. During the first Taliban regime, Hamed fled to Pakistan and then Denmark but returned to Afghanistan after their fall. Today, like many Afghans, he is displaced again after the Taliban’s return.
Hamed has published over 50 books, including Poetry of Resistance and There Was Once a Terrorist. His works have won multiple national and international awards. His deeply meaningful poetry, which speaks to the pain of Afghan people, has been adapted into songs by renowned Afghan musicians such as Dawood Sarkhosh, Aryana Sayeed, and Farhad Darya.
Sami Hamed is a poet who has made working with children and children’s literature a significant part of his life. He has held poetry and song recitation programs that are well-known among the people of Afghanistan. From children’s programs
on Tolo TV to the “Sa Group” programs associated with Marefat School in West Kabul, these are projects in which he has played a role or brought to completion. Additionally, songs under his supervision have been composed for children, including:
Turn the page, turn the page, turn in the name of the Truth, Open the book and start a new lesson
Go to school, study hard, my dear daughter, Afghanistan needs you, my dear daughter
Congratulations, congratulations, little Aboobe has joined school, How beautifully he recites the alphabet! or
The school bell is the key to our doors, In its voice, we are the new breath
All these songs carry messages of his struggle and perseverance against the adversities of Afghanistan, reflecting his efforts to uphold values and the education system, which became a soothing melody for thousands of students.
Shamsia Hassani, born in April 1988, is Afghanistan’s first female graffiti artist and a trailblazer in contemporary art. Raised in Kabul, she has emerged as one of the most influential and recognizable figures in Afghan art. Her work is not only groundbreaking for the art form she has chosen—graffiti, a medium rarely embraced in Afghanistan—but also for the powerful messages she conveys about women’s rights, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Growing up in a country plagued by years of war and conflict, Hassani faced numerous challenges. Despite these, she pursued her passion for art, studying painting and visual arts at Kabul University, where she later became a professor. Her artistic journey took a new turn when she was introduced to graffiti in 2010 during a workshop in Kabul by British artist Chu. From that moment on, the streets of Kabul became her canvas, and she began using graffiti as a way to bring color, beauty, and awareness to her wartorn city.
Hassani’s art often depicts Afghan women in bold, vibrant colors, symbolizing strength, resilience, and defiance. Her signature character is a faceless woman, sometimes holding a musical instrument, representing the silenced voices of Afghan women. Through her murals, Hassani challenges the deeply ingrained societal norms that limit women’s roles and seeks to redefine the perception of Afghan women as strong, ambitious, and capable of creating change.
Her work also transcends national boundaries, as she has gained international recognition for her activism through art. Exhibiting in countries such as the United States, Germany, and Italy, Hassani has become a global ambassador for Afghan art, using her platform to spark conversations about women’s rights, social justice, and the power of creativity.
Beyond her own artistic contributions, Hassani is committed to mentoring young Afghan artists, particularly women, encouraging them to express themselves and break barriers through art. Her influence has inspired a new generation of artists to use their creativity as a tool for activism and change.
In a society where art is often undervalued and women’s voices are frequently silenced, Shamsia Hassani has carved out a space where both can thrive. Through her art, she offers a vision of a brighter future for Afghanistan, one where women are empowered, and where art plays a crucial role in shaping society. Hassani’s life and work demonstrate that even in the darkest times, art has the power to inspire change, foster understanding, and build bridges across cultures and communities.
Sara Gholami Kouhi
I began my Sunday morning with a plan to visit the National Archive of Kabul. Armed with my camera, notebook, and pen, I set out, eager for what promised to be an exciting and enriching day. Exploring historical places, especially in the country of your birth, carries a special significance. Every step in such a journey feels like a connection to a deeper history. This time, I chose to visit one of Kabul’s historic neighborhoods—Murad Khani. Murad Khani is an ancient part of Kabul, dating back over 300 years. This area still features mud-brick houses built in traditional architectural styles, with wooden doors and windows adorned with intricate designs.
Walking through the narrow, charming streets of Murad Khani, I encountered old mud houses, bustling markets, goldsmith and engraving shops, and traditional restaurants. The ambiance takes you back in time, immersing you in Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage.
Murad Khani is not only home to these historic houses, but also two mosques, a Tekieh Khana (religious gathering place), an old bathhouse, the “Puli Yak Paisagi” bridge, a small market, and a well-known historic restaurant. The shops in this market sell traditional clothes and Hazara jewelry. A distinctive feature of this neighborhood is the bird markets, especially pigeons, reflecting the locals’ fondness for these birds.
Over the centuries, various ethnic groups have blended in Murad Khani, adopting one another’s customs and traditions. This melding has created a unique cultural identity for the neighborhood, one that has added richness and color to Kabul, fostering a sense of unity and warmth.
TheTransformation of Murad Khani(left shows restoration efforts over the last 100 years. right depicts what the Original Mural Khani area looked like upon construction in the 1700s)
Kabul is a city known for the kindness and hospitality of its people. The residents are genuine, respectful, and deeply welcoming to visitors. The men are brave and honorable, and the women are beautiful and resilient, never bowing to adversity. They have always worked for a brighter future. Kabul’s youth, both boys and girls, are industrious and diligent, having made significant contributions throughout history. In the fields of science and art, they have especially excelled, making the name of Afghanistan known to the world. As I explored Murad Khani, I marveled at the ancient artifacts and manuscripts that encapsulate the artistry and intellect of our ancestors. These artifacts reveal how our forebears valued learning and creativity. They deeply respected education and the written word, viewing architecture as a form of cultural preservation.
The decorated walls and chain-hung wooden doors reflect a proud heritage, a reminder of how seriously our ancestors took the craft of traditional architecture. These historic works, written by different people across time, capture
the thoughts and issues of their era, preserving them for us to understand today. Murad Khani’s beauty reminds us of Afghanistan’s rich history, from its famous kings and rulers to its festivals, celebrations, and pivotal decisions. My visit to Murad Khani was a deeply meaningful experience. I conversed with the local residents, was warmly invited into their homes, and treated to tea and sweets with generous hospitality. I met young students on their way to school and learned from their perspectives. I took valuable photos and filled my notebook with observations. This historical journey, alongside others, holds great significance for me—offering insights that I couldn’t find elsewhere.
Murad Khani, with its narrow streets and ancient charm, beautifully captures the essence of Kabul’s old culture, preserving it for future generations to appreciate.
Elyas Mirzaee
From Afghanistan
City Museum Located in downtown St. Louis, the City Museum is an extraordinary space built from recycled architectural and industrial objects. Unlike traditional museums, it invites visitors to touch, climb, and explore, making it perfect for both children and adults.
Opened in 1997 by artist Bob Cassilly, the museum transforms a former shoe factory into a creative wonderland. Visitors can explore MonstroCity, an outdoor playground with steel tunnels and a school bus on the roof, or dive into the Enchanted Caves, a maze of tunnels and secret passages. The Skateless Park offers a skatepark-style area for running and sliding, and the Rooftop features slides, a dome to climb, and a Ferris wheel with stunning views of the city.
One of the most unique aspects of City Museum is its emphasis on repurposing materials. Nearly every part of the museum is built from salvaged or recycled objects, from bridges to mosaics, creating a sustainable, artistic environment. This gives the museum its distinctive charm and adds a deeper layer of meaning to the experience as visitors explore the beauty of reuse and creativity.
Designed for all ages, City Museum offers adult-only nights for grown-up adventurers, and the museum is constantly evolving with new art and exhibits. A visit here is an unforgettable experience of creativity, exploration, and play—a must-see for anyone in St. Louis.
In summer 2024, the International Institute of St. Louis received funding for a new program within the Workforce Solutions Department titled EMPOWER. As a first-of-its-kind program within the agency, EMPOWER looks to directly connect two departments and programs to provide key, holistic services to clients.
The EMPOWER Program works with local workforce to further train and educate new arrivals in order to best reach their employment goals. Between the Workforce Solutions Department and Education Department at International Institute of St. Louis, EMPOWER looks to offer the following:
• GED Classes focused on English Language learners
• Computer Literacy Classes in a new state-of-the-art computer lab
• Driver’s Education Classes with an English language learning focus and access to driving simulator
• Career Development Coaching to connect clients to regional training and apprenticeship opportunities
• Access to EnGen, an online English language learning platform that focuses on industry-specific skill development
• Remote access to Job Readiness Classes
Individuals who are eligible for EMPOWER include refugees, asylees, parolees in the United States for under 5 years, Cuban/Haitian entrants, SIVs, and victims of trafficking.
For more information and to enroll in EMPOWER Program offerings, contact Employment Support Coordinator, Sayed Akram Sayedi at 314-773-9090 ext 204 or via email at sayedis@iistl.org.
Carrie Brickey
The Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant Competition offers Aghan refugees, immigrants, asylees, and green card holders who arrived after August 2021 a chance to receive up to $30,000 to start or expand a business.
Eligibility to participate in the grand competition:
-Afghan refugee, immigrant, asylee, green card holder, or parolee.
-Arrived after August 2021.
-Start-up or business expansion based in St. Louis.
Requirements:
Business license, EIN, and detailed business plan with financials. Comprehensive budget for how the grant will be used.
Apply by October 31, 2024
Visit www.iistl.org/afghan-entrepreneurship-fund to apply!
