An artist and entrepreneur once voted Afghan businesswoman of the year has been granted asylum by the Home Office after being featured in the Guardian last week.
Samira Kitman, 32, who lives in Lancaster, had originally been refused asylum, but was due to appeal today. Late last week, Home Office officials changed their mind, saying they had not realised the extent of Kitman’s profile in Afghanistan and globally.
She had travelled widely before fleeing Afghanistan after a kidnap attempt and threats she believed came from the Taliban, visiting the US for a meeting with then secretary of state John Kerry and being featured in We Are Afghan Women, a book by the former first lady Laura Bush. Her calligraphy had been praised by Prince Charles and displayed in London’s V&A museum and the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
Her lawyer, Patrick Howe from Howe and Co Solicitors, told the Guardian on the weekend what the Home Office said: “They advised that after reviewing their decision, they hadn’t realised the extent of Samira’s profile in Afghanistan and internationally, and that due to her profile she would be at risk.”
Kitman is overjoyed at the result and looking forward to working and living an independent life in Lancaster, where she hopes to continue her art.
Jenny Natusch, an artist who has become a close friend of Kitman, told the Guardian: “Thank you a million trillion billion on behalf of Samira – we’re pretty sure it’s your article that has potentially saved her life.”
Howe said: “It is great news for Samira and she can finally start rebuilding her life. Unfortunately this is a prime example of the terrors people face all around the world and there are people who are in serious need of protection and have to go to great lengths to receive it.”