Nonprofits & Activism

My 105 Days in Taliban Prison — and a Call to Aid Afghanistan | Safi Rauf | TED

Sharing his experience of being held captive in a Taliban prison for 105 days, humanitarian Safi Rauf talks about his life’s mission to get food, medicine and other critical supplies to Afghans in need — and urges the world to bolster aid and establish a peaceful presence in the country during these extraordinarily difficult times.…

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Sharing his experience of being held captive in a Taliban prison for 105 days, humanitarian Safi Rauf talks about his life’s mission to get food, medicine and other critical supplies to Afghans in need — and urges the world to bolster aid and establish a peaceful presence in the country during these extraordinarily difficult times. (This talk was recorded on April 12, 2022)

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91 Comments

  1. am suscribing to anyone who subs to me

    September 2, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    Çongrats you who found this comment early

    Read my name

  2. ExaltedPlayz

    September 2, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    Doesn’t change the fact that the Taliban government should be recognised

    • Keshav Arya

      September 2, 2022 at 2:26 pm

      @Helix True but such massive land in hands of terrorists shouldn’t exist and there is sense of fear in citizens of that country that I don’t think they will be able to overcome without any external help. America should have conquered Afghanistan instead of handing it over to Taliban.

    • Keshav Arya

      September 2, 2022 at 2:32 pm

      This guy is saying to ‘negotiate’ with terrorists and give them validity like bruh truly a propaganda machine.

    • Tshah

      September 2, 2022 at 9:24 pm

      @Helix I hope you understand the difference between Afghan military and Afghans (citizens) before commenting on their unwillingness to fight. No one would ever want such a brutal situation in his/her motherland. Please stop the blame game!

  3. Scotty Yoch

    September 2, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    The West tried to aid for 20 years. How’d it go?

    • André Macedo

      September 2, 2022 at 1:40 pm

      “Tried to aid” lmao

  4. Prohodaction

    September 2, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    omg! super doe, goodbye!. man,

  5. Kevin Coakley

    September 2, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    Wow 🥺

  6. Chaz McGooski

    September 2, 2022 at 1:09 pm

    7 trillion$ already and there’s an encampment in every us city.

  7. Ela Laelasari UIN Jakarta

    September 2, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    God Bless you, Doctor

  8. Raza

    September 2, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Though i am not taking anything away from this mans.
    It sure is funny that news outlets never talk about what america has done to the middleeast for decades.
    E.g the drone b*mb used just american troops were going was said to have taken out enemy (taliban) forces and the American General stood by it only to later findout they blooded (took out) a man and a few children.
    That general was not convicted of war crimes.
    Us and global media barely even looked at it and buried the story.
    To garner sympathy for the Americans who came to middleeast is respectable but the leaders who misguided amd misused their own people for freedom (Oil) is something to think about.
    In the end these current powers are no better than the mongols or roman and greeks.
    Just more of the same with better tools of destruction

  9. Mirel goi

    September 2, 2022 at 1:27 pm

    Thank you for reminding the world not to forget the grave situation in Afghanistan. Shocking numbers. I want to share a book which has opened my eyes about the huge changes in the world and more importantly, what to do and how to prepare for them. It’s a free online book by Marshall Vian Summers: The Great Waves of Change – Navigating the Difficult Times Ahead. I truly recommend. It has been so helpful and As I’ve started to change my life, my fear and anxiety has lessened so much.

    • gardensofthegods

      September 2, 2022 at 2:00 pm

      Guess we’ll have to look it up … it would have been nice if you had told us a little bit more about this book and what changes are coming because they might be different than the changes we’re already worried about … but who knows .

    • Dravidiyan Unni

      September 4, 2022 at 11:24 pm

      Abugharib was.cruel too.

  10. Scott aye

    September 2, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    If we cant take care of ourselves what makes anyone think we can help others? Lol

    • Tshah

      September 2, 2022 at 9:43 pm

      Empathy and humanity?

  11. Bass Man

    September 2, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    World would be much better place if USA stopped meddling in other countries business and creating problems in the first place.
    So no, don’t you worry about Afghanistan, just leave them alone and shut down all USA military bases.
    And try to take care of millions of homeless and those in prison in USA.

    • 🌟WhatApp ME+𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟖𝟒𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟒𝟑𝟕

      September 2, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      *thanks ~~~~~

    • A Nasir

      September 3, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      American politicians and NATO are directly responsible for bringing Taliban in power and they are accountable for it no matter what. This doctor’s compassion is appreciated but he never ask the world Not to recognize Taliban regime and rather he asks the international community to have strong diplomatic relationships and start aiding people of Afghanistan!.
      My question is: How you guys send aid to poor people while the Taliban starve themselves from hunger?.
      He thinks that the Taliban would allow all these aid go to the poor prople?.
      As long as I know even 5% of the aid wouldn’t reach to needy people.
      The doctor shouldn’t lobbying for Taliban.
      That is really my concern.

  12. DJ GENIUS

    September 2, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    The people of Afghanistan needs to fight tye talibans, they tye only one who can overthrow them,,,

    • Omar Shinwari

      September 2, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      The people of afghanistan are the taliban. dont listen to this guys sob story

    • Tshah

      September 2, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      How do women fight when there is a constant threat to beat them even if they go out of their houses? Support is needed! International community can give that hope.

  13. Keshav Arya

    September 2, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    My take : An organization should be formed that comprises of millitarily and economically capable countries and then they should invade Afghanistan and free their people from Taliban govt. Govern the land until it is stable and then distribute it among themselves. Then they should balkanize Pakistan take their nuclear weapons and eliminate all the terrorists. But no one is willing to do that because Pakistan is the only country that can contain India in this age.

    • Zayed

      September 3, 2022 at 2:10 am

      Who is more capable economically and militarily than nato? 😄

  14. Michael McFeely

    September 2, 2022 at 2:22 pm

    Two decades of nation building accomplished nothing in Afghanistan. This complete failure by the experts drives my reluctance to get involved in other countries. I don’t trust the experts.

    • Bass Man

      September 2, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      What if that was the real goal from the beginning? To accomplish nothing and to prolong chaos and desperation to ordinary people of Afghanistan as much as possible?

    • No one star

      September 2, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      It wasn’t “for nothing”, but at a certain point, a country needs to stand up for ITSELF.

      The U.S. babysat for 20+ years. Very little aid was offered by others. Some progress was made, but enough was definitely enough. If Afghanistan didn’t learn to support, protect, and defend itself after 20 years… this is NOBODY’S fault except their own. End of story.

    • Hanzala Omar

      September 3, 2022 at 12:18 am

      @No one star Afghanistan defended itself and kicked the invaders out.

    • avarrous donk

      September 3, 2022 at 7:38 am

      @No one star yes I agree with you, to much resources Which is issued

  15. Mike Heavyheart

    September 2, 2022 at 2:31 pm

    My GOD, This makes me think about the J6 POLITICAL PRISONERS, AND JULIAN ASSANGE, my Heart is Heavy,

    • %WhatsApp+①⑧④⑨⑧⑦③⓪⑧⑨⑦

      September 3, 2022 at 12:38 am

      💗💕❣️💞🖤

    • %WhatsApp+①(②①⑧)⑧③①④⑨④①

      September 3, 2022 at 12:38 am

      💗💕❣️💞🖤

  16. Rocco Rubino

    September 2, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    Mr. Saudi we gave your country 20yrs of occupation and rivers of American and Afghani blood. What more can possibility be done? Afghanistan is not worth triggering WW3./

    • No one star

      September 2, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      At a certain point, the student must leave the classroom. In this case, the instructors (U.S.) spent 20+ years, and finally needed to retire from teaching the students (AFG).

      If a student claimed that they weren’t prepared for the real world after TWENTY YEARS… it’s a pretty good bet that the student wasn’t paying any regard for their own education.

    • Tshah

      September 2, 2022 at 9:32 pm

      Numbers do not justify the inhumanity people are facing today. Twenty years of what? The US neither understood the fundamentals of Afghans not their physchology. There’s a whole generation in that country that has seen nothing but terror and violence. Show empathy!

  17. Ligia Sommers

    September 2, 2022 at 3:31 pm

    Very emotional 🙏🏻✨

    • %WhatsApp+①⑧④⑨⑧⑦③⓪⑧⑨⑦

      September 3, 2022 at 12:38 am

      ↗️↗️↗️↗️

    • %WhatsApp+①(②①⑧)⑧③①④⑨④①

      September 3, 2022 at 12:38 am

      ↗️↗️↗️↗️

    • Viviane Dos Santos Costa

      September 3, 2022 at 12:40 am

      Yes

  18. Harry Vibes

    September 2, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    How can you stay in a prison for a 105 days?? He should of mentioned the type of food that he was given or if given any to make his “story” more believable. But now that I think of it, I think his story is fake.

    • %WhatsApp+①⑧④⑨⑧⑦③⓪⑧⑨⑦

      September 3, 2022 at 12:36 am

      ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

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      September 3, 2022 at 12:36 am

      ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

  19. Omar Shinwari

    September 2, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    This guy sounds like an Indian. Doesnt sound like an Afghan and also Taliban probably thought he was a spy

    • Diana

      September 2, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      You do realize that he was in Pakistan at a very young age, where its language is very similar to Indian

    • %WhatsApp+①⑧④⑨⑧⑦③⓪⑧⑨⑦

      September 3, 2022 at 12:35 am

      ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

    • %WhatsApp+①(②①⑧)⑧③①④⑨④①

      September 3, 2022 at 12:35 am

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      September 3, 2022 at 12:35 am

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      September 3, 2022 at 12:35 am

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  20. Frank Lauterbach

    September 3, 2022 at 1:20 am

    Only they fix their problems. Corruption holds back many countries like them

  21. peter dollins

    September 3, 2022 at 9:46 am

    The Taliban will not live up to their word. End.

    • %WatsApp+①⑧②⑨⑨②⑦⓪⑧⑦⑤

      September 3, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      ♥️💚💚

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      September 3, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      ♥️💚💚

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      September 3, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      ♥️💚💚

  22. raumkauf

    September 3, 2022 at 12:18 pm

    💯💯💯 world need to help Afghanistan first at all.

    • %WatsApp+①⑧②⑨⑨②⑦⓪⑧⑦⑤

      September 3, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      ♥️💚💚💚

    • %whatsapp+①⑧②⑨②⑥③①⑥⑤②

      September 3, 2022 at 1:05 pm

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      September 3, 2022 at 1:05 pm

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  23. ArtMusicandCulture

    September 3, 2022 at 5:41 pm

    Ukraine is were USA is focused😪

    • Momcilo Jabucilo

      September 3, 2022 at 11:14 pm

      Not because they care about Ukraine but cause they just want to mess with Russia

    • Anh Tuấn

      September 5, 2022 at 4:27 am

      You’re right. Momcilo

  24. Dj Wright

    September 3, 2022 at 9:55 pm

    My questions is why come to America for democracy. Why will people not stay and fight and bring change in your own countries. Democracy was built through people standing and actually fighting for it. The civil rights battle is a 20th & 21 at century blood bath. And the battle continues. So I don’t get it. I fight racism everyday. And I am a nobody. Most times don’t win. So why will u the immigrant not fight and die to make you countries better places. Maybe the Statue of Liberty needs to be returned to France. Maybe I need to not say anything. But truth is with my liberal self I realize something isn’t right and I like some non westerners to address these questions. Your countries won’t change it u keep running. America was built on the backs of both good and bad people dying. So why won’t u fight for yourselves and a better world? 🙏🏿🌹❤️😷😇🥹

    • DressionEP

      September 4, 2022 at 12:27 am

      Completely agree

  25. Glorify God

    September 4, 2022 at 3:12 am

    ✝️ Repent and believe in the gospel ✝️

    *And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.*
    Hebrews 9:27‭-‬28 NKJV

    The gospel of Jesus Christ
    ✝️
    *For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,*
    I Corinthians 15:3‭-‬4 nkjv

    • GAMER ZONE

      September 4, 2022 at 7:55 am

      God sending himself to sacrifice himself to himself to save us from himself is little bit irrational,don’t you think ?
      Why god needs to sacrifice himself to save us from sins? Why can’t he just forgive all of our sins without sacrificing himself?

    • Anh Tuấn

      September 5, 2022 at 4:20 am

      The fact is that people who believe in God are the most ki.llers

  26. GAMER ZONE

    September 4, 2022 at 7:56 am

    Every country has different Human rights, is he talking about US human rights standards?
    By other countries US also doesn’t live up to human rights standards by them .

  27. Invox

    September 4, 2022 at 9:01 am

    This is a weird Talk… Most prisioners come out detailing all the captive hardships they have endured, daily routine, stuff that happened to other cellmates, guard treatment, names of camps, roommates, guards, etc, etc… This one talk about 105 days, beating, and then advocate, advocate, advocate, “this is what we need to do in Afghanistan” just 10 DAYS after relase? In a written statement, no less.
    Afghanistan (like Ukraine) most definitelly needs the World’s help, but it almost feels like there is an agenda to be fulfilled here.
    I tried to find more about this story but all I saw was a CNN article/story and that’s it.

    • trong vo

      September 5, 2022 at 11:40 am

      this comment needs to be on top. glad somebody points it out

    • Caskett Solo

      September 5, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      I agree- expected a bit more information about his 104 day situation. Certainly threw insight into situation the Afghans have been facing and definitely he’s doing so much now and has become the hero his 4 year old self needed.

  28. jamela atef

    September 4, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    🟡🔴📣🎯Does anyone know how to contact this man or maybe the organization he founded because I have a lot of helpful ideas for this campaign

  29. VV

    September 4, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    Who cares about Afghanistan? Only Ukraine, Ukraine and again Ukraine matters… but what about other matters as an Afghan people? They are not people? Only Europe matters for you? Shame on everyone who considers like this.

  30. Idham Soamole

    September 5, 2022 at 2:20 am

    Thanks for motivation

  31. Anh Tuấn

    September 5, 2022 at 4:17 am

    You’ve done a job! Really well done.
    And now that the U.S’s propaganda is successfully carried out by the guys like you who are not Americans. What a wonderful plan!

  32. Anh Tuấn

    September 5, 2022 at 4:37 am

    The U.S messed up your country and now you’ve been chasing the American dream. That’s why the U.S is getting richer and richer, more and more powerful, and the countries like yours are getting poorer and poorer, weaker and weaker.

  33. avarrous donk

    September 5, 2022 at 6:36 am

    Hello USA # Don’t Forget # Taliban is Creating with You USA

  34. SAMAFALE MEDIA 24

    September 5, 2022 at 11:07 am

    Also Guantanamo uncriminals need this humanity😭

  35. Miski Hockn

    September 6, 2022 at 3:07 am

    Let’s not forget who empowered the Taliban and made them what they are today (:

  36. Roel11

    September 6, 2022 at 3:56 am

    Make a movie!

  37. Syed Muqadas

    September 6, 2022 at 4:31 am

    I must say – He is so inspiring and a champion oh humanity. My cousin died working with Int’l coalition and so many other are threatened and hiding

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