A woman who was the target of an assassination attempt by the Taliban has spoken of her life since moving to Oldham.

Marzia Babakarkhail, a judge, activist and refugee has spoken of her turmoil at having to leave Afghanistan and start life in the UK.

“There are thousands of people like me who don’t want to leave their country. They have to leave because they have no other choice. I had a good life in Afghanistan, and I had a good education and a good job, my family and friends.

“I never dreamt of seeking asylum in a different country. The Taliban forced me to leave the country I love.

“I was a social activist from a young age. At the age of 24 I set up a small shelter for women.

“I continued with this type of work and I spoke up against the treatment of women in Afghanistan “But it was these activities that made me the target for the Taliban.”

Marzia, who now lives in Oldham, spoke of the attempt made on her life. “It was after I had set up a foundation for educating girls that they came after me.

“They tried to kill me by car in a high speed hit-and-run when I was visiting my sick mother in hospital.

“Although the Taliban failed, I had to spend 6 months recovering from the attack.”

Even though Marzia survived, the Taliban went on to send a menacing message to her office: “Marzia you have received our gift. It is a good gift.”

Marzia fled Afghanistan against her wishes and was forced to start life again at the age of 42 in the UK in 2008.

“I lost everything.

“It is not easy to leave everything you have behind you. It has been so difficult.

“Being a refugee is hard.

“Sometimes I found life so difficult, I used to think the Taliban should have just finished me off in Afghanistan.

“Imagine being someone who had everything to suddenly having nothing, arriving in a country where you know nobody.

“You don’t know the custom or the language.

“All because I was fighting for justice and for women’s rights.

“As a refugee and asylum seeker, what am I? I am nothing.

“But I am alive for my beliefs.

“My story of having been an asylum seeker and refugee in Oldham is just one of many hundreds of thousands of similar stories in the world today.

“I want to help people understand what it is like to have to leave everything behind you and escape from your country when your life is in danger.

“This was not my choice. It was a matter of life and death.”

Marzia managed to escape from Afghanistan by wearing a Burkha and going straight to the airport and she caught a flight to the UK. Upon arrival she was sent to Oldham.

She subsequently joined Oldham College to learn English which she describes as being her ‘oxygen.’ Whilst being actively involved in campaigning, lobbying and mentoring, Marzia is also raising awareness to promote rights and freedoms for gender equality and is involved at grassroots level with organisations concerned with social cohesion and refugees.

“I know the power of education. The power to speak and to be counted.

“Without an education you can’t help improve lives for other people.

“I also wanted to make my contribution here in this country. I am proud to call Oldham my home.

“This country has a long tradition of providing refuge to people seeking safety.”