Hydrablog

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30afghan.html
January 30, 2008
Afghan Women Protest Aid Worker’s Kidnapping
By TAIMOOR SHAH and CARLOTTA GALL
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — About 500 Afghan women gathered Tuesday in this southern city to protest the kidnapping of an American aid worker and her Afghan driver and to call for her release.
The kidnapped woman, Cyd Mizell, 49, works for the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation and was seized Saturday on her way to work in Kandahar, along with her driver, Abdul Hadi. Afghan officials said that they had no leads on who abducted them and that there had not been any contact with the kidnappers or demands by them.
In a strong show of support for Ms. Mizell, who has lived in Kandahar for six years, working on educational projects and women’s development, Afghan women’s associations called in speeches for officials, elders, ordinary citizens and young people to work for her release.
“This is against Islam, this is against Afghan culture, particularly against Kandahari custom, a woman’s abduction,” said the director of women’s affairs in Kandahar, Runa Tareen.
“Cydney Mizell was here to help Afghan women. She was living here and was proud and confident that Afghans have a nice culture that does not harm women.”
Soraya Barna, a member of the provincial council of Kandahar, said: “We are so sad and we want her to be released as soon as possible. We want officials and others to multiply their struggle to find her soon and hope she will be back safely.”
Taimoor Shah reported from Kandahar, and Carlotta Gall from Kabul.
Taimoor Shah reported from Kandahar, and Carlotta Gall from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company