Ever since the Taliban recaptured Kabul and took over almost the whole of Afghanistan, there have been several heartrending images on social media of Afghanis, especially their women, trying to escape the country. There are also stories of people being killed for no reasons, women being told to stay at home and come out in the public only in the company of male members. Amid countries all this grim, tragic stories, there is one photo that has gone viral but for a good reason.
The photo is of an Afghani girl happily hopping and jumping on the tarmac of a Belgian airport after being evacuated. Taken by Reuters photographer Johanna Geron at Melsbroek military airport in Belgian, the image displays a family of four walking from the airplane. The photograph shows a little girl with a smile on her face jumping and following two adults walking ahead of her, who are most likely to be her parents.
Instantly, this photo became an online hit. It was also shared by former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt on his social media handle. “This is what happens when you protect refugees. Welcome to Belgium, little girl!” he captioned the photo.
As people hoped for the child’s better future in Belgium, others expressed their love to the little one. There were many who wished for peace in Afghanistan as the country was left shattered.
Bruce Bourgoine wrote, “May she seize the opportunity to go to school and grow up to lead a powerful international campaign that ends Taliban-like oppression of women on this planet forever.” Daniel states, “Anyone that is questioning or disputing refugees coming to your country for a safer life, look at this beautiful picture.” There were many such comments.
According to media reports, the girl and her family were among 1,400 people who were recently evacuated to Belgium, which was days before the country closed its operations with Afghanistan.