Eid Mohammad Sultani was living in Kabul with his family when the Taliban seized power exactly two years ago today (Picture: AFP/Reuters/Eid Mohammad Sultani)
A man who fled Afghanistan has spoken of the ‘disastrous’ day the Taliban took over exactly two years ago, and of how his family were ‘saved’ by coming to the UK.
Eid Mohammad Sultani, 40, was still living in Kabul on August 15, 2021, when the Taliban seized control of the country following the lightning withdrawal of UK and US forces.
Two years later, he still finds it a difficult and painful memory.
He said: ‘Everybody was screaming, shops were being closed, banks were being closed, offices were empty. It was such a hard day, it is hard to think about, especially for those who witnessed it.
‘I don’t want to call what they have a government – it’s actually a terrorist group that has taken power.’
Leaving his job in automotive management services, Mr Sultani and his family fled two months later for Islamabad, Pakistan, before arriving in Oxford in November.
Remembering their arrival, he said: ‘That was actually the happiest day for us, [the day] we got saved. The UK was only a picture for us in the past life for years and years on the screen, but when I moved things changed.
‘I had to leave my home and wanted to stand on my feet – I didn’t like to be on government benefits, but it was also sad because we had been through such dark days and there was such a short time for me to get a job.’
Afghanistan is currently under the control of the Taliban, lead by Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada (Picture: Reuters)
Alongside taking care of his family, Mr Sultani now works part-time for Ocado, as well as volunteering with community interest company Bridge to Unity.
He also participates in Finding Your Own Accommodation, which helps Afghans find their own housing.
He said: ‘We have travelled to many cities and been encouraging and helping Afghans to find their own homes.
Mr Sultani currently lives in Oxfordshire, where he works part-time for Ocado and volunteers with programs to help Afghans who have settled in the UK (Picture: Eid Mohammad Sultani)
‘I know my Afghans – some of them are pretending to be happy, but they want to be able to work and pay their own rent.’
Mr Sultani added that most Afghans in the UK still live in fear for the fate of their loved ones who stayed behind.
Like so many others, Mr Sultani said: ‘I’ve got my brothers over there, my nephews, my nieces and my brothers-in-law who I am really concerned about.
Approximately 25,000 Afghans have fled to Britain after the lightning withdrawal of UK and US troops two years ago today (Picture: AFP)
‘They have to keep changing locations and are constantly seeking help and we stay in touch two to three times a week, it’s the worst situation for them to be in.
He also expressed concern at the government’s imposition of a deadline at the end of August for Afghans who have travelled to the country to leave so-called ‘bridging hotels.’
More: Trending
In the week before the two-year anniversary of the Taliban takeover, which has since seen more than 25,000 Afghans flee the country for the UK alone, the Home Office has faced considerable criticism over the death of six migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats.
This in addition to the uproar after asylum seekers had to be evacuated from a floating accommodation vessel in Dorset just days after boarding, when Legionella bacteria was discovered in the boat’s water supply.
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Eid Mohammad Sultani was living in Kabul with his family when the Taliban seized power two years ago today.