Afghan artist who is currently a refugee discusses the predicament of women

Thousands of Afghans left the country when the Taliban took back control in August 2021 out of concern for restrictions on their freedoms. One of them was the cartoonist Sayed Muhammad Hussainy.

The 29-year-old artist, who has sought asylum in Germany, expressed concern that the Taliban might target him because of his involvement with President Ashraf Ghani's previous, Western-backed administration.

Thousands of Afghans left the country when the Taliban took back control in August 2021 out of concern for restrictions on their freedoms. One of them was the cartoonist Sayed Muhammad Hussainy.

The 29-year-old artist, who has sought asylum in Germany, expressed concern that the Taliban might target him because of his involvement with President Ashraf Ghani's previous, Western-backed administration.

Despite being the only Islamic nation that forbids women from obtaining higher education, the group has claimed that the crackdown is consistent with how it interprets Islamic law. Most nations with a majority of Muslims have criticized the Taliban for placing restrictions on women.

Sayed's artwork had Disney-like features before the Taliban took control, with inventive characters beaming with contagious smiles and wide-eyed gazes. Often dressed in the red, green, and black colors of the Afghan flag used under the previous West-backed government, he would paint ladies with optimism and a sure sense of purpose. A new flag has been chosen by the Taliban.

Sayed's once bold and unapologetically political art is now sunk in muted features staring blankly back at the viewer as the pandemonium envelops them, as represented by heavy downpours of rain or frightening figures filling the entire area.

Sayed remarked, "You can tell the difference between my art before and after the Taliban took control. "It's like day and night."

A woman is surrounded by numerous males in one of the sketches that the artist posted to Instagram in April of last year and has more than 18,000 followers. They violently cover her with a veil while holding firearms in their hands. The woman's vibrant colors and tint stand in stark contrast to their subdued tones. Despite her sadness, she maintains a firm and unwavering hold on her books.

Sayed, who created the image from a secret location in Afghanistan while fully aware that his life was in danger as a result of his acts, is aware that his direct depictions may be upsetting to some viewers. But he asserts that it is his responsibility to support people in Afghanistan raising their voices in support of women's rights and unrestricted access to education.

Sayed's psychological challenges to comprehend the reality of what people in Afghanistan are going through now, including rising levels of poverty and food insecurity, are also reflected in the artwork.

I attempt to convey such emotions in my art because I feel my country's anguish and hurt, he said.

Sayed claimed that the Afghan women are heroines who possess the strength of resistance and perseverance despite the overpowering sense of helplessness conveyed in his image.

Sayed stated, "I want to raise the voices of Afghan women and convey the reality of what is occurring to women in my country."