5 questions with Mortaza Anwari ’27
The United States Air Force once described the C17, which ceased production in 2015, as the “most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force.” Part of the “cargo” this venerable airplane has lifted is a current UD first-year premed student, Mortaza Anwari, who, with his family, was evacuated from their native Afghanistan nearly three years ago.
1- Why a cargo plane? It was an emergency situation. My family had worked with the U.S. Army. It was a good experience. But since the Taliban controls the country, we had to evacuate. The plane was designed for military equipment and had no seats or seat belts. We sat on the floor.
2- How did you end up in Dayton and the University of Dayton? Suddenly coming to the U.S. was a culture shock. Ohio was a good place to come to. Affordable, Dayton was also home to three of my brothers, who came to the city in 2013, 2015 and 2017. (I have 10 siblings. There are large families in Afghanistan; a child is seen as a gift of God.) I started high school here in Ohio and picked Dayton’s Chaminade Julienne High School. During my senior year at Chaminade Julienne (where I went because I wanted to learn and come to know something about the faith of others), I went to the University of Dayton’s Christmas on Campus. I saw kind and welcoming people. I said, “I’m going to go there.” I had a full ride elsewhere but fell in love with UD.
3- I’ve read that your ethnic group has historically been one of the most persecuted in Afghanistan, including the massacre of half the population in the 19th century. Why the hatred? Perhaps because we look more Asian than other Afghan groups. Also, we are Shia Muslims; the majority of the country is Sunni. I’m from Bamiyan Province, a place with beautiful mountains. It’s the same province where the Taliban destroyed giant Buddhist statues that were carved into the cliffs in the sixth century because of religious beliefs. Recently, suicide bombings, mass killings and kidnappings have been reported — though the Taliban does not allow much news to be shared.
4- What have you become involved in at UD? I’m in premed, so I focused on balancing my workload in the first semester; I didn’t work that semester, though I’m interested in photography. I’m part of the Asian-American Association and involved in UD’s Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center. It’s fantastic. I go in every day and say “Hi” to everybody. I’ve made a lot of friends and connections. It’s better than just running into people. This summer, I will be an orientation leader for new students. And, hopefully, an RA.
5- Do you think about your past? Sometimes, I miss Afghanistan. It is my home; it is my country. But now the Taliban control it, and I cannot do anything. And they kill people who worked for the U.S. Army.