Last Saturday, the Afghan Student Association held a free banquet in celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year in the New University Union on campus. Along with speeches about Afghan culture, the ASA provided food, music, and games while accepting donations to aid women’s literacy in Afghanistan.

The banquet was hosted by ASA president, Shuaib Amiri, who worked with the Hayward-Ghazni Sister City Committee in administrating this event in hopes of demonstrating both cultural triumphs and issues that Afghans and Afghan Americans face today.

“We are here to celebrate with friends and family, and to show that there is more to the culture of Afghanistan than war and devastation,” explained Amiri, “Hayward and Fremont have one of the largest Afghan populations, so I felt it was important to sponsor the Sister City Committee.”

Assemblyman Bill Quirk, and chairman of the HGSCC Bruce Green spoke on behalf of the committee, speaking about the importance of not only the large Afghan population in the Bay Area, but the importance of improving relations and friendships with the people still living in Afghanistan. New efforts have been started to create a sister city relationship between San Jose and Herat, a major city in Afghanistan.

“[Travelling to Ghazni] was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done, I really got to learn and understand a culture,” said Quirk accompanied by Green’s video depicting the Ghazni region.

Periodic breaks from speakers were filled with performances of traditional Afghanfolk music performed on keyboard and Dholak drum accompaniment. Food was provided, a three- course meal of salad, chicken and rice, and Firnee, a rose water and cardamom custard dessert.

Aref Yaqubi, BBC photojournalist born in Ghazni, was the first to speak chronicling his childhood exposure to gunfire but taking solace in the unity of his family and friends around the celebration of Nowruz.

“I am definitely a war child,” said Yaqubi, “We did not have a lot of excuses to be happy, but Nowruz was a beautiful time of celebration, where everyone came together.”

Nowruz directly translates to “New Day” in English and Yaqubi explained the significance that this name held. Yaqubi spoke of the games, dances, and songs they would sing in anticipation of the upcoming year, along with the prayers his family would have.

“Most people wished for peace and that is still what most hope for today,” told Yaqubi.

In an effort to aid the ASA and HGSCC’s charity that helps in providing classes to improve women’s literacy in Afghanistan, Yaqubi donated framed photos that were raffled off to the attendees.

The final speakers of the night were Dr. Nilofar Sami and CSUEB Sociology Associate professor Dr. Carl Stempel. The two introduced their upcoming survey of young-adult Afghan Americans in efforts to learn about the experiences and needs of Afghan people in the Bay Area. The survey is open to California residents of Afghan decent, ages 18-35, and who have come to America by age 12.

The banquet came to a close with one last musical performance and a game played by children in Afghanistan called “Egg Fight,” where kids try to break each other’s hard boiled eggs to see which one is the hardest. The children participating appeared to be having a lot of fun.

“It is important to bond the ties culturally between Afghanistan and the U.S.” explained Amiri about the goals of this celebration of new beginnings.