In brief
Razia Jan, who founded the Zabuli Education Center in rural Afghanistan after 9/11, has passed away at the age of 81. Despite challenges, her school continued to educate girls during Taliban rule, highlighting her unwavering commitment to female education.
Razia Jan, an inspiring figure and Afghan-born U.S. citizen, who established an enduring school for girls in Afghanistan post-September 11, has died at the age of 81 in Los Angeles due to congestive heart failure. The founder of the Zabuli Education Center, Jan returned to her homeland after spending over three decades in the United States, where she had built a successful dry-cleaning business.Following the attacks on 9/11, Jan felt compelled to contribute positively to her birthplace. She began as an unofficial ambassador for Afghanistan, explaining its culture in her new community and supporting 9/11 victims by creating fleece blankets for emergency workers. She soon realized that girls' education was crucial in Afghanistan, leading her to fundraise and establish an educational institution that would grant girls access to schooling, a right stripped away under Taliban rule.In 2005, Jan launched the Zabuli Education Center, which began with just over 100 girls in kindergarten through fourth grade and grew to support a larger student body as educational levels expanded. Overcoming local skepticism and cultural barriers, she engaged village elders through dialogue and negotiation to champion girls' education. Jan’s innovative methods included encouraging young students to learn how to write their father's names to win over illiterate parents.Her persistence also involved navigating complex social dynamics, allowing girls to remain in school even if they faced engagement or marriage as teenagers. As conditions tightened under the Taliban's return in 2021, Jan had to close secondary education efforts but remained committed to expanding the primary school, which saw a significant enrollment increase.Born on June 5, 1944, in Quetta, Pakistan, Jan came from a wealthy, landowning family. She pursued higher education in early childhood education and began her journey in the United States to create a better life for her family. In addition to her humanitarian work, Jan gained recognition when she was honored as a CNN Hero in 2012 for her extraordinary efforts in promoting education for Afghan girls.Razia Jan's spirit and determination have left an immeasurable impact on the lives of hundreds of female students, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of education and rights in Afghanistan. She is survived by her son, brothers, and granddaughter.
