The Afghanistan junior women's national football team thought they were going on a day of sight-seeing at the Belém Tower in Portugal. They had recently settled as refugees in the area after escaping their home country during the Taliban's takeover in August.
Instead, they were met by a crowd of media and
Farkhunda Muhtaj, soccer player-turned-humanitarian who was instrumental in getting them into European hands.
"They were shocked, extremely emotional. They started crying. They couldn't believe I was in front of them."
Muhtaj had no idea she would be in this position weeks ago.
"It's been an absolute whirlwind."
That description lends itself accurately to most spontaneous situations, but Muhtaj, former captain of the York University Lions women's soccer team and current Afghanistan women's national team captain, finds herself in an especially crazy one today. It has developed at a torrid pace as the recent current events unfolded in Afghanistan.
As the team captain of three years, Muhtaj was compelled to spring into action when her peers reached out as the situation in Afghanistan developed. She felt she needed to be part of the solution.
THE RESCUE
"When the Taliban took over, (the women's national team) reached out to me and said we need to get the junior national team out of the country immediately."
She was connected with the U.S. government agents and humanitarian divisions, and worked remotely from Canada on the logistics of getting the junior national team out of Afghan territory and into asylum.
"The rescue mission was all about providing the girls with a chance to play football again and providing them with a new chapter in their lives. A life of freedom. A life to dream, to aspire and to pursue what they wish."
Muhtaj calls the mission the most difficult thing she has ever done. And she's heard the same thing from government officials and humanitarians. Rescue plans had to be under constant re-evaluation due to the fluid political situation in Afghanistan. Checkpoints were changed often, and contingency planning was the norm. But in the end, they were successful.
SETTLING FOR THE FUTURE
Since landing in Portugal, the junior team, which features players under 20 years of age, has been housed in Lisbon suburbs. They have already begun working toward their football-inspired dreams.
There aren't many better cities to pursue soccer than Lisbon. They have been practicing at S.L. Benfica's facilities and played Benfica in a friendly last Sunday. Muhtaj herself has also been on the pitch practicing with the women's professional squad.
As far as settling efforts go, the process isn't over. But Muhtaj says the Portuguese government has been integral in the entire process, getting the girls integrated into their society and providing them with the necessary opportunities. That being said, she continues advocacy efforts on behalf of the Afghan refugees to ensure they receive the best possible support.
A trip that was originally slated to be four days long has become a multi-week affair, where Muhtaj is balancing her humanitarian efforts while simultaneously teaching virtually at her day job in Toronto as a science teacher.
Despite the fast pace of the trip, Muhtaj has managed to take some time to reflect.
"You never know the impact you can provide. You don't even need to change the world to have a substantial impact. If you can change the world for one person, or a group of young girls, that is an extremely meaningful thing."
