A captivating and emotionally-gripping documentary, Afghan Cycles captures the journey of the Women’s National Cycling Team. The young Afghan women cycle with exemplary courage around the country and the world, from Kabul to Bamyan, and even Nice, France. To many of them, biking is a metaphor for their quest for their freedom and rights despite daily struggles.
We had the opportunity to interview one of the extraordinary bicyclists, Masoma Alizada, about her journey. Masoma has participated and won first place in many domestic competitions, traveled throughout Afghanistan, and successfully joined international competitions, including in Kazakhstan, India, Bahrain, and France. She’s currently pursuing higher education in France.
Pary: How did you get involved with the Women’s National Cycling Team of Afghanistan?
Masoma: When we lived as refugees in Iran, my father taught me how to bike. When we returned to Afghanistan, there weren’t that many women biking and the social conditions were different so I wasn’t able to bike for several years. I did participate in other sports that were available in my school, including basketball and volleyball. I also went visited the National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan and started learning Taekwondo. When I was in 12th grade, the Afghan Cycling Federation organized a races for girls and I had the chance to participate in it for the first time. There I learned about the women’s team and I’ve been involved ever since. I couldn’t believe that there is a federation for girls’ cycling.
Pary: Masoma jan, what has the reaction of people around you been to you biking in Afghanistan?
Masoma: The use of bike by women and girls is a relatively new thing in Afghanistan. In every country when people see something new, they react to it; some may agree and some may oppose. Unfortunately, many people in Afghanistan consider women’s biking or participation in sports improper and shameful. It is still a taboo for women to bike. Many believe that it is against the tradition and culture of the Afghans, and on some occasions they think that it is harmful to girls. None of these reactions are logical. Biking is not an indoor sport. It takes place in open areas and for some people seeing girls in workout clothes and biking in public is strange. Some people react negatively or harass women who partake in this sport.
Pary: In addition to cultural barriers, we struggle with insecurity in Afghanistan. How has that impacted what you do?
Masoma: Many parents don’t let their daughters ride bicycle because of the unsafe security situation. Lack of security is one of the main reasons parents prevent their daughters from joining us. It is a cycle. If parents don’t allow their daughters to bike, there won’t be any female bikers. That leads to people believing that biking is only for men and not allow women to participate.
Pary: Who inspires you to keep pedaling after your dreams?
Masoma: My parents, especially my father, propelled me forward from illiteracy to being a student and athlete. When I was in seventh grade, I helped my family weave carpets. I was fine with doing housework and weaving carpets all day long and did not care much about going to school. Once I had an exam and pretended to be sick so I could stay home. I naively thought if I did not take the exam, I would not have to go to school anymore. My father wouldn’t have that. He changed my life by pushing me, believing in me and encouraging me. Whenever I was discouraged by obstacles, he showed me how to continue and never give up. If it wasn’t for my father’s love and support, I would not be where I am today. I am eternally grateful to him.
Pary: What are you studying in University? What are your future goals?
Masoma: I am studying computer science at the University of Lille in France. I hope to eventually advance my education with a master’s degree. Meanwhile, I am biking with two clubs. My long term goal is to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics or the one in Paris in 2024. It would mean so much to me to show the world a positive side of Afghanistan, especially how strong and resilient Afghan women are.
Pary: How do you envision the future of sports in Afghanistan, particularly for women?
Masoma: I think the future of sports in Afghanistan is complicated, but I have hope that it will gradually progress and get better. It would be great if men in Afghanistan could start by accepting biking as a means of travel and entertainment for women. In the old days, women rode horses and donkeys. What is the difference with the bike in modern day? I hope that biking will become normal for girls in Afghanistan and we’ll be able to do it freely and without harassment.
This interview was translated by Free Women Writers member Marzia Nawrozi.
Photos courtesy of Afghan Cycles.