In early 1999, I was watching TV, when I came across a story on Afghanistan. It was a story about the Taliban and the restrictions they were imposing on the Afghan people, most notably women. At some point in the story, there was a casual reference to them having banned the game of kite fighting. This detail struck a personal chord with me, as I had grown up in Kabul flying kite with my friends.

Dr. Bashiri, if I ever want to put a curse in someone, I say, 'May God give you a restaurant.

And suddenly, just like that, hope became knowledge. I was going to win. It was just a matter of when.

There [in Afghanistan ] is a tremendous need for selter. So I am focusing most of the efforts of the foundation to building shelters for refugees in northern Afghanistan and we have already begun doing so.

If America taught me anything, it's that quitting is right up there with pissing in the Girl Scouts' lemonade jar.

My father and I did work for a while at the flea market and there really are rows of Afghans working there, some of whom I am related to.

Writing fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth.