Arshad Heelaman
| Arshad Heelaman | |
|---|---|
| File:Arshad Heelaman Afghan Gujar Rights Activist.jpgArshad Heelaman Afghan Gujar Rights Activist.jpg Arshad Heelaman, Afghan Gujjar activist, during an interview on an Afghan television channel | |
| Native name | ارشاد هیله من |
| Born | Arshad Heelaman 1993 Afghanistan |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | Afghanistan |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Afghan Gujjar Rights Activist |
| 🌐 Website | x |
Arshad Heelaman (Pashto: ارشاد هیله من ) (born 1993)[1][2] is an Afghan social activist and community organizer. He is the founder of the Gujjar Minority Tribe Youth Council in Afghanistan and has been active in advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities, particularly the Gujjar community, as well as women’s rights and educational access for children.[1][3][4][2]
Early life and background
Heelaman was born in 1993 in Afghanistan and is from the Gujjar ethnic minority.[1][4][2] Information about his early education and upbringing is limited in public sources.
Heelaman is a member of the Gujjar ethnic group, a historically marginalized group in Afghanistan. The Gujjars have lived in Afghanistan for centuries and are estimated to number approximately 1.5 million people.[5][6][7] They are primarily found in the northeastern and eastern provinces, including Kapisa, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Khost.[5][6][8]
Although historically recognized as one of Afghanistan’s 14 ethnic groups,[7] Gujjars have often faced social and political exclusion. Many live in poverty, and some have experienced displacement due to conflict and militia activity — for example, incidents reported in Takhar province in 2018.[9] During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Gujjar communities lacked access to formal healthcare, leading to the use of traditional practices, including the controversial use of Andak meat, despite religious objections.[8]
Gujjar leaders and activists, including Heelaman, have publicly called for increased government support in the form of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and scholarship opportunities for Gujjar youth. As the founder of the Gujjar Minority Tribe Youth Council, Heelaman has worked to raise awareness of these issues and advocate for greater representation and services for his community.
Activism and public work
Since 2015, Heelaman has worked on a range of social issues in Afghanistan, including:
Ethnic minority advocacy
- As the head of the Gujjar Minority Tribe Youth Council, he has focused on raising awareness about the Gujjar community’s lack of political representation and access to services.[4][10]
Women's and girls’ education
- Heelaman has supported initiatives aimed at increasing educational opportunities for girls and promoting gender equality in education.[11][12][13][14]
Humanitarian aid
- He has been involved in local charitable efforts, including food distribution and support for orphans and displaced families, primarily in eastern provinces such as Kunar, Laghman, and parts of Kabul.[15][16][17]
Government engagement
During the presidency of Ashraf Ghani, Heelaman participated in youth-related forums and met with government officials, including President Ghani and former Vice President Amrullah Saleh, to discuss issues affecting minority groups and rural communities.[18][19]
Media appearances
Heelaman has appeared on Afghan television and online platforms where he has spoken about social and human rights issues, with a focus on education and ethnic inclusion. Several videos of his public statements and community work are available on YouTube and local media channels.[20][21][22][23][24]
Positions
- Founder and Head: Gujjar Minority Tribe Youth Council (established 2015)[2]
- Member: Youth Parliament of Afghanistan (previous)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Heelaman, Arshad. "Arshad Heelaman X". X.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2025-04-20). Mother tongue refers to the first language a person learns from birth. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2023-02-21). At 2020 year I hed conference about Afghan ministry Gujjer Tribe. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hamdard, Azizullah (2021-01-13). "Gujars use Andak meat for coronavirus treatment". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 News, Pajhwok Afghan (2021-01-04). "Govt has long ignored our problems, needs: Gujars". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bezhan, Frud (2021-04-01). "Afghanistan Recognizes Long Forgotten Ethnic Tatar Community". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hamdard, Azizullah (2021-01-13). "Gujars use Andak meat for coronavirus treatment". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ عزيز, زلمى (2018-02-06). "Gujar tribesmen forcibly evicted from Takhar homes". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-03-09). living conditions of the Gujri minority in Afghanistan are worse than ever before. This is a family!. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-12-21). 2021 our human and moral responsibility to provide education to women, girls and orphans at society. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-12-21). 2020 our human and moral responsibility to provide education to women, girls and orphans at society. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-12-21). 2021 our human and moral responsibility to provide education to women, girls and orphans at society. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-12-21). 2020 our human and moral responsibility to provide education to women, girls and orphans at society. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-03-14). 2021! We helped the family that some time ago we gave them food for humanitarian aid related kunar!. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-02-13). 2020! A few years ago today , we cooperated for the orphans in the Lagman Kach area. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2023-09-23). This is our class of orphans in Kabul Qala Zaman Khan area in 2021. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-10-17). Many years, we have fought for women's minorities & human rights, Our goal to serve humanity... Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2024-05-29). President Ghana had invited academic،successful youngs people from all country about peace country. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2020-09-20). Arshad heelaman Afghanistan Head of Afghan Gujjar Youths tribs leaderارشاد هیله من. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2020-02-02). Head& founder of Afghanistan Gujjar youths General Tribe leader Arshad Heelaman. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2020-01-30). Arshad heelaman chief and founder of Afghan Gujjar Tribe youths General council &leaderارشاد هيله من. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2020-01-27). Head & founder Afghanistan Gujjar Tribe youths council &leaderارشاد هیله من. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Arshad heelaman ارشاد هیله من (2020-01-27). Arshad Heelaman Head& founder of Afghan Gujjar Tribe Youths Council &leaderارشاد هيله. Retrieved 2025-05-25 – via YouTube.
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