It’s back to zero’ for an Afghan women’s advocate quarantining in a Toronto hotel

More than 500,000 signatures from 34 provinces adorned a large banner for peace on display at the summit. No one in attendance had even a thought that the Taliban would take over. People had hope, said Jamal.

Less than a week ago — which feels a lifetime — Jamal and her colleagues were in the final stages of planning an Aug. 19 Afghan Independence Day flag-raising celebration in Kabul, involving hundreds of people. Particularly, women. Jamal, who plans to work remotely while in Canada, was ready to tune in by video.

Because of the Taliban, it never happened. And the Taliban removed the national flag from the Green Zone, home to embassies.

Canada has pledged to accept 20,000 Afghans into the country, and on Sunday at a press conference, Ottawa said 1,100 Canadians and Afghans had been flown out on 12 flights and, in an “air bridge” agreement, is positioned to use coalition aircraft in addition to its own planes.
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