2018.07.12 Meeting with Hon. Governor of Hiroshima and Key Speaker at the UNITAR “Women’s Leadership Programme for Afghanistan” Graduation Ceremony

Meeting with Hon. Governor of Hiroshima and Key Speaker at the UNITAR “Women’s Leadership Programme for Afghanistan” Graduation Ceremony.

December 7, 2018: H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat honor of meeting with the Hon. Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture at the Hiroshima Prefectural Government Offices.

H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked Hon. Mr. Yuzaki for making the time to meet with him. Further, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, he expressed sincerest thanks and appreciation for the steadfast and benevolent support of the friendly people and noble nation of Japan over the years to Afghanistan as it has strived for peace and prosperity. In return, Hon. Mr. Yuzaki thanked H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for meeting with him as well as for his kind words. Further, he assured him that the people of Hiroshima well understood the hardships of war and devastation such as the people of Afghanistan have been suffering for decades, and wished a quick and enduring peace to come to Afghanistan and the world.

Just prior to his visit with Hon. Mr. Yuzaki, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of attending the UNITAR “Women’s Leadership Programme for Afghanistan” Graduation Ceremony where he was a featured speaker. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat commended the women for the efforts in the program and encouraged them to keep striving for enlightenment and to serve as role models and beacons of light to other women and girls of Afghanistan, that through their achievements, they might help others feel empowered, confident, and clear their paths in order that women may have an equal role in society, and most especially, in the peace making process.

Original Page

2018.22.3 UNITAR Hiroshima Women's Empowerment and Leadership Training for Afghanistan and Iraq Luncheon

UNITAR Hiroshima Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training for Afghanistan and Iraq Luncheon

March 22, 2018; H.E. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat had the honor of welcoming the participants from UNITAR Hiroshima Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training for Afghanistan and Iraq. The embassy held a luncheon for the women, all professionals from either Iraq or Afghanistan. Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary for the embassy, greeted the guests to the hall and facilitated the ceremonies. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat gave a speech reaffirming Afghanistan’s commitment to women’s education.

The Head of Hiroshima UNITAR Office, Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, also spoke about women’s empowerment and the work UNITAR does in Afghanistan. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Hiroshima has been committed to training people from post-conflict zones. This 10 day training, held in Japan from March 20-30, focused on leadership, team work and communication skills for women. UNITAR’s assistance in Afghanistan has helped to increase the total number of women attending school to 3.5 million. Following the speeches, Afghan dishes prepared by the Embassy in honor of this special day, were served for all to enjoy. We sincerely wish all the best successes to the training participants and are very proud of their commitment to women’s leadership.

Original page

2017.22.03 Visit by Mrs. Hiroko Tanaka and Mrs. Keiko Kawai from the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

Visit by Mrs. Hiroko Tanaka and Mrs. Keiko Kawai from the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

22 March 2017: Board member Mrs. Hiroko Tanaka and Mrs. Keiko Kawai from the Women’s Federation For World Peace (WFWP) visited the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy and met with the First Secretary of Political Affair Mr. Basir Ahmad Hamdard. Mrs. Tanaka and Mrs. Kawai are close friends of Mr. Hamdard as they met during a homestay in 2008 when Mr. Hamdard was taking Japanese language courses and studied Japanese culture in Osaka.

The WFWP was established in 1991, and works to empower women to be peacebuilders and leaders in their communities around the world. They want to achieve this through education, advocacy, partnership, reconciliation and humanitarian service. Their Headquarters is in Tokyo, but the organization also has offices in South Korea and Taiwan with 10 000 members operating in 143 countries.

The WFWP have been working in Afghanistan in over 20 years, one of their more successful projects have been their sewing projects, where they have provided equipment’s like sewing machines for women to do tailoring work. The idea is to encourage self-employment.

Mr. Hamdard urged the WFWP to invest in more skilled labor projects in the future to help with the Afghan Women’s situation. Mrs. Tanaka and Mrs. Kawai said they would like to send teachers to Afghanistan to help the women there when the situation is better.

Original Post

2017.22.04 Mr. Hamdard Receives Special Award in the 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan.

Mr. Hamdard Receives Special Award in the 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan.

April 22, 2017: It was a pleasure for Mr. Basir Ahmad Hamdard, First Secretary and Political Affairs for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan to attend and compete in the “20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats in Japan” hosted by The Japan Foundation, Minato City Hall, and the Minato Sports, Community, Culture, and Health Foundation. Mr. Hamdard was the first contestant among the twenty to give a speech and his topic was “Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan” for which he was awarded the Award of Excellence from the Judges.

This contest, the twentieth of its kind, was designed to provide foreign diplomats with an opportunity to present their ideas in Japanese and promote exchanges with local people, according to organizers. During the three-hour presentation, before an audience of about 300, the participants delivered speeches in Japanese about topics relevant to their home countries, many offering insights into Japanese culture through diplomats’ eyes.

Following the Awards Presentation, Mr. Hamdard spoke with the various hosts of the event and thanked them not only for their invitation to compete but also for supporting an event like this where a bridging of cultures and relations can be fostered. Mr. Hamdard also spoke with Hon. Mr. Kazunori Tanaka, Member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the International Bureau, Mr. Daisuke Okabe, Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division for MOFA Japan, Mr. Abulla Jassim Al-Zeyara, Counsellor Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Qatar in Japan, Mr. Kazuhisa Kawafune, Director of NPO Foreign Embassies Friendship Association, Ms. Masayo Hasebe, Director of Medical Corporation Ijinkai, and Mr. Koh Aoki, Representative of Active Middle International Association with whom he exchanged greetings and discussed topics of mutual interest.

To see Mr. Hamdard receive his award, please click the photo and then press play.

Original Post