About Us

We are a group of grassroots community organizers in the Afghan diaspora fighting for a better tomorrow.

Our Mission

To bring about transformative change for Afghans in the United States and beyond.

Our Vision

An equitable, peaceful future where Afghans and other marginalized working-class immigrant communities are uplifted for a better tomorrow.

OUR TEAM

Lida Azim

COFOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING, BOARD CHAIR
Lida is a second-generation Afghan American and community organizer based out of Washington D.C, where she received her master’s in Intercultural and International Communications from American University. A native of the Bay Area, she is the co-founder of the Afghan Diaspora For Equality and Progress (ADEP). Her current work focuses on combating Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry on a nationwide scale.
Arash Azizzada

COFOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Arash is a second-generation Afghan American, journalist, filmmaker, and community and labor organizer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-founder of the Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress (ADEP). He has spent the past 3 years focusing his work on ending the 20-year old US-led occupation of Afghanistan and promoting the voices of women and other marginalized groups in Afghanistan as peace talks and reconciliation efforts continue to take shape.
Mursel Sabir

PROJECT COORDINATOR
Mursel is a San Diego native with international aspirations. With an MA in International Relations, Mursel currently directs SWANA region studies at the Center For International Relations and International Security, and recently joined the Kawaakibi Foundation to support the Jamal Khashoggi Disinformation Monitor program. Through her work as the co-founder of Afghans Empowered, she supports community based projects in Afghanistan and Greece, and promotes ways for diaspora communities to connect, and get involved in their local communities.
Halema Wali

COFOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Halema is a second-generation Afghan American, tech professional, and community organizer based in New Jersey. Passionate about social justice & grassroots community organizing, she has been involved with strategizing and fundraising for Newark Water Coalition and volunteers as a Dari translator for newly settled Afghan refugees. She is also the co-founder of the Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress (ADEP) and Shia Racial Justice Coalition (SRJC).