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Farangis Najibullah

Farangis Najibullah is a senior correspondent for RFE/RL who has reported on a wide range of topics from Central Asia, including the region’s ongoing struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact. She has extensively covered efforts by Central Asian states to repatriate their citizens who joined Islamic State in Syria and Iraq

Produced by Farangis Najibullah

April 03, 2020
Despite Zero Reported Cases, Coronavirus On Everyone's Mind In Tajikistan

Although Tajikistan hasn't reported a single coronavirus infection, many Tajiks say the virus is on everybody's mind and affecting people's everyday lives.
March 12, 2020
Afghans Brace For Coronavirus As Thousands Return From Iran

Afghanistan has so far reported seven confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. But the war-torn country is bracing for more as thousands of Afghans return home from Iran each day.
August 29, 2019
Pro-Government Afghan Commander Killed By His Own Son's Taliban Unit

A pro-government Afghan commander has been killed by a group of Taliban fighters that included his own son. Commander Baz Muhammad died just hours after telling RFE/RL about the need to end a war that pits "sons against fathers and brothers and against brothers."
August 27, 2019
Biometrics To End Fraud In Afghan Election May Discourage Some Women From Voting

Afghanistan is set to use a biometric voter-identification system in the upcoming presidential election that includes facial recognition. The change is raising concerns among female voters who say they don’t want to have their photos taken.
August 12, 2019
Tajik Man Emerges In Afghanistan As Leader Of IS Unit Of Central Asian Fighters

A UN report claims a 31-year-old Tajik national leads a Central Asian unit of an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan and actively recruits Tajik fighters for the terrorist group. Tajik officials say the man has been on their radar “for some time.”
May 30, 2019
#MyRedLine: The Afghan Women Who Won't Accept Taliban Peace At Any Cost

Thousands of Afghan women have joined the online campaign #MyRedLine to share the rights they would never give up for peace with the Taliban.
March 04, 2019
Uzbek Cops Given Six Months To Get Fit For Duty

Uzbekistan's president has told overweight police officers to shape up.
January 22, 2019
Hats Off To The Kalpak! Traditional Kyrgyz Cap Tipped For Official National Status

Kyrgyz lawmakers are considering raising the status of the kalpak, the traditional Kyrgyz hat, to that of a national cultural symbol.
November 05, 2018
Deserted Streets, Anxious Parents: The Tajik Town That Spawned The Cyclists Attack

Once a go-to town for the young and progressive, the southern Tajik town of Norak was introduced to the world as a terrorist hotbed following a midsummer attack on foreign cyclists.
September 15, 2018
Time's Up For Tajik Sex Pests

Catcallers in the Tajik capital might want to bite their tongue following the introduction of strict new measures against street harassment.
September 11, 2018
Uzbek Imam Fired After 'Deviating From The Script'

The imam of a Tashkent mosque has been relieved of his duties just hours after he posted a video appeal to the Uzbek president calling for greater religious freedom.
August 27, 2018
Surrogate Motherhood Thriving In Kyrgyzstan, Despite Society's Misgivings

Though it's not easy to live in Kyrgyzstan as a surrogate mother, many women decide the hardships of carrying someone else's baby are worth the big financial payoff.
August 12, 2018
Afghan Cricket Star Launches Charity To Help Country's Children

Afghan cricket star Rashid Khan has launched a charity foundation to help provide humanitarian assistance and education to orphans and impoverished children in the war-torn country.
May 31, 2018
Three Days Without Unprotected Sex -- A Rule, Not The Norm For Returning Tajik Migrants

Tajik authorities are preparing to order migrant laborers to have their blood tested upon their return, and that means no unsafe sex until the results are in.
April 26, 2018
An Islamic State Orphan Returns To Tajikistan

Ten-year-old Maryam, the only member of her family to have survived an attack on the Islamic State group, has been welcomed back to Tajikistan with open arms.
March 23, 2018
Nursing Afghan Student-To-Be Passes Test In The Global Eye

As images of Jahantab Ahmadi nursing her infant daughter while taking a university entrance exam in Afghanistan go global, the young mother and student looks to improve the lives of women in her home province.
March 15, 2018
'Counting The Days': Tajiks, Uzbeks Have Great Expectations After Landmark Border Deals

People in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan hope the landmark package of agreements signed between the two countries will bring many positive changes to their everyday lives.
January 29, 2018
Disparate Housewives: Tajikistan Says Government WAGs Must Labor Like Everyone Else

Top Tajik officials have been warned that they can get in trouble if their wives don't take part in volunteer work.
January 19, 2018
Political Rivals Sling Mud At Imran Khan's Marriage Plans

Cricket legend Imran Khan, a strong contender to be Pakistan's next prime minister, has googly eyes for his spiritual adviser -- and his political rivals are throwing it back in his face.
January 11, 2018
Barb-Tossing Bard: Mysterious Poet Roils Sleepy Tajik Village

A bounty is out on a mysterious poet who uses the pen to lash out at fellow villagers and their daily routines.

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