All my life, she gave to me a shovel and said, Fill these holes inside of me, Pari.

She was the trembler of knees, the spiller of teacups.

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.

Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.

I think he loved us equally, but differently.

In many parts of the world, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. But I think we need women to solve the problems that men create.

I did see [in Afghanistan] plenty that reminded me of my childhood. I recognised my old neighbourhood, saw my old school, streets where I had played with my brother and cousins.