First American granted Afghan citizenship

KABUL—Debra Mariam Babakarkhail, resident of San Diego, California, has become the first American citizen to be granted Afghan nationality in compliance with orders from President Hamid Karzai. The 53-year-old Debra Mariam Babakarkhail had tied the knot with an Afghan named Babrak Babakarkhel - a dweller of Tangi Gharo village of Deh Sabz district - some 16 years back. Wrapped in a black hejab (veil) and wearing white shalwar kameez, Mariam came to the Deh Sabz district headquarters along with her Afghan spouse to collect her Afghan citizenship documents and national identity card (tazkira). While conferring the rights of an Afghan national on her, Deh Sabz district chief Barialay told Pajhwok Afghan News Mariam was issued with the NIC under directives from President Hamid Karzai.He said all formalities were met before the American lady was granted Afghan nationality. “This is an honour for us that an American has sought Afghan citizenship and we are gladly accepting her plea,” remarked the district chief. Mariam embraced Islam in 1986 before going down the isle with Babrak Babakarkhail in 1991. “I believe it (getting Afghan citizenship) is a great honour for me,” observed Mariam, flanking her husband and holding a copy of her newly-obtained tazkira or NIC. The American woman recalled she had come to Pakistan in the 1980s to work for the welfare of Afghan refugees. “It was during this period that I came to know the Afghan way of living and later wedded Babrak,” she added. For his part, Babrak Babakarkhail said while many Afghans were striving to get Western and European citizenship, Mariam had been struggling over the past five years to formally become an Afghan national. “Her features and habits already resembled those of an Afghan. She has formally become an Afghan citizen now,” continued Babrak, who thanked the Afghan government for giving his wife Afghan nationality.—Online