'Stand With Afghan Women' Benefit Will Be Held Thursday in Bridgehampton

The United States-based Paper Fig Foundation has dedicated itself to empowering and supporting women creators.

On Thursday, March 23, it will host “Stand With Afghan Women” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork Meeting House in Bridgehampton, in an effort to support families and artisans impacted by turmoil in the region. The event will highlight Afghan art and culture, including traditional music.

Temur Zamani was born in Afghanistan, and those earliest years of his childhood and the stories passed down from his father are infused with a sense of beauty. “There was an open, free society where men and women were working and had the freedom to study,” he said.

But war and political strife forced his family from their country long ago.

“I feel our culture has been hijacked by extremists using religion as an excuse,” said Zamani.

Still, he was hopeful during the years of the American presence in Afghanistan. Schools were being built. Girls were being educated. The beautiful, peaceful identity that Temur remembered from his childhood was beginning to strengthen again, albeit slowly.

Then, in August 2021, American troops withdrew from Afghanistan. The American-backed leader fled with a fistful of cash, and the Taliban reclaimed power.

Schools were shuttered. Girls were banned from getting an education. Women lost their jobs and were forbidden from leaving the house without a male chaperone. And those who had been leaders in the American-supported revival of Afghan culture suddenly found themselves targets of the Taliban.

Those who could, fled.

Arzoo, a mentee of the organization the Paper Fig Foundation, got as far as Islamabad with her three children. That’s where she remains, waiting on a prayer that her refugee status will come through and she’ll be able to travel to the United States.

It is people like Arzoo whom Thursday’s benefit in Bridgehampton will directly support.

“Arzoo was the original Paper Fig mentee,” said Laurie DeJong, a founder of the organization. “She exemplified our mission of empowering other women through fashion, and she was a leader in her community in Kabul. We couldn’t leave her there to become a target.”

It was a harrowing escape that took many months and many failed attempts, but Arzoo eventually got out of the country. Many others were not so lucky. They remain in Afghanistan, unable to go to school or work, barely able to sustain themselves.

Zamani and the Paper Fig Foundation both give directly to Afghan families trying to survive the oppression. And Zamani decided he wanted to introduce the East End to the beauty of Afghan culture in the interest of raising funds for these families. He’s more than qualified, with experience putting on cultural events for the White House under the Obama administration, representing Afghanistan through food, textiles and the arts.

“I want to bring people together to celebrate Afghan culture, because I want to show and share the beautiful side of the culture,” said Zamani.

He called on his longtime friend Milad Yousofi, who plays the rubab, the national instrument of Afghanistan. Yousofi agreed to fly from London to attend “Stand With Afghan Women,” and his playing will bring a deeper understanding of the Afghan people.

“The rubab is deeply ingrained in the history and identity of Afghanistan,” said Yousofi. “It’s always been an important symbol of Afghan culture and heritage and is used to express the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the Afghan people. The rubab’s survival and resilience through a difficult history represent the strength and perseverance of the Afghan people.”

As the people of the East End gather in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork’s Meeting House, the music will be a window to another world. That’s exactly what the Reverend Kimberly Quinn-Johnson, leader of UUCSF, had hoped her congregation could help provide.

“The UUCSF is really excited to be able to offer a space for this event,” she said. “This kind of cultural sharing and appreciation of the richness that comes from a celebration of our differences is central to our Unitarian Universalist values. And the particular opportunity to support women and girls in their journey toward liberation is dear to my own heart.”

Through food, drink, art and music, the evening will give those in attendance an immersive experience.

“I think it boils down to emotional connection and emotional release,” said Yousofi. “Be it spiritual, joyous, sad, nostalgic, hopeful, or a combination, music has a magic way of touching people. As a musician, I wish for listeners to connect with their inner thoughts and feelings. At the same time, I want them to get a sense of the history, traditions, art and culture of Afghanistan.”

“Stand With Afghan Women” takes place on Thursday, March 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork, 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. Tickets are by donation. For more information, visit eventbrite.com/e/stand-with-afghan-women-tickets-570987518037.