Hyder Akbar
Encyclopedia
Hyder Akbar is an author and former translator for US forces in Afghanistan.
Akbar, a citizen of both Afghanistan and the United States
, attended Diablo Valley College
and transferred to Yale University
. Akbar is from a political family, including Said Shamsoudin Majroh, who was the architect of Afghanistan's first constitution in 1964 and who had served as the Minister of Justice and Head of Tribal Affairs; Said Bahaoudin Majroh, who had served as Governor and was considered one of Afghanistan's leading intellectuals; and another influential member of the family was Shal Pacha, a tribal leader whose influence was particularly strong in the eastern region as well as the FATA areas of Pakistan. His father is Said Fazel Akbar, a former governor of the Kunar Province
of Afghanistan
.
While assisting US forces, Akbar encouraged an Afghan man, Abdul Wali, to turn himself in and assured Wali he would not be mistreated.
Akbar accompanied Wali to a US base, and served as a translator for David Passaro
, a former special forces
soldier, who the CIA hired, on contract, to serve as an interrogator—even though he had no background in interrogation. Akbar later described Passaro as "full of rage" and "a big a-hole". He said he had to stop translating because Passaro became too aggressive. After Akbar left, Wali was beaten by Passaro and later died from his injuries.
Based in part on Akbar's testimony and a letter from his father, who said Passaro created distrust and set back reconstruction efforts, Passaro was convicted of assault and sentenced to eight years and four months imprisonment on February 14, 2007.
Akbar later co-authored with Susan Burton a book about his experiences in Afghanistan, called Come Back to Afghanistan. The book received several honors: San Francisco Chronicle Book of the Year, New York Times Editor’s Pick, USA Today’s Top 10 Memoirs, ALA Top 10 Books for Young Readers.
Akbar has also made two documentaries for the Peabody-winning This American Life on NPR. The first documentary focused on life in Kabul in post-Taliban Afghanistan and the challenges that faced the central government. His second documentary was based on time spent in Kunar, Afghanistan – a volatile province on the border with Pakistan. Akbar’s work on NPR received a National Journalism Award, a Third Coast International Silver Prize and an Overseas Press Club citation.
Akbar has appeared on Morning Edition, PBS and BBC World News among others. He has also been featured in GQ, New York Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times and various other publications. Akbar has also authored articles for The New York Times and Slate.
Along with his work in the media, Akbar has also been involved with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in archiving and keeping records of Afghanistan’s current events.
Akbar was also the co-director of Wadan Afghanistan, an NGO that he founded to focus on quick impact reconstruction projects in his native province of Kunar. The NGO rebuilt schools and helped villages with access to water among other things.
Akbar is fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, Hindi, and Urdu.
While at Yale, Akbar became the subject of controversy when, along with two other students, he was arrested for arson when he burned an American flag. Akbar admitted to burning the flag and had to perform 50 hours of community service.
Akbar, a citizen of both Afghanistan and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, attended Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College is a two-year community college in Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County, California.DVC is one of three publicly supported two-year community colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District , and was first opened in 1949...
and transferred to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. Akbar is from a political family, including Said Shamsoudin Majroh, who was the architect of Afghanistan's first constitution in 1964 and who had served as the Minister of Justice and Head of Tribal Affairs; Said Bahaoudin Majroh, who had served as Governor and was considered one of Afghanistan's leading intellectuals; and another influential member of the family was Shal Pacha, a tribal leader whose influence was particularly strong in the eastern region as well as the FATA areas of Pakistan. His father is Said Fazel Akbar, a former governor of the Kunar Province
Kunar Province
Kunar is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the northeastern part of the country. Its capital is Asadabad. It is one of the four "N2KL" provinces...
of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
While assisting US forces, Akbar encouraged an Afghan man, Abdul Wali, to turn himself in and assured Wali he would not be mistreated.
Akbar accompanied Wali to a US base, and served as a translator for David Passaro
David Passaro
David Passaro is a former CIA contractor and U.S. Army Ranger who was charged with assault in connection with the June 21, 2003 death of Abdul Wali. Wali died in Afghanistan while in the custody of the United States government for questioning. Passaro was found guilty of one count of felony...
, a former special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
soldier, who the CIA hired, on contract, to serve as an interrogator—even though he had no background in interrogation. Akbar later described Passaro as "full of rage" and "a big a-hole". He said he had to stop translating because Passaro became too aggressive. After Akbar left, Wali was beaten by Passaro and later died from his injuries.
Based in part on Akbar's testimony and a letter from his father, who said Passaro created distrust and set back reconstruction efforts, Passaro was convicted of assault and sentenced to eight years and four months imprisonment on February 14, 2007.
Akbar later co-authored with Susan Burton a book about his experiences in Afghanistan, called Come Back to Afghanistan. The book received several honors: San Francisco Chronicle Book of the Year, New York Times Editor’s Pick, USA Today’s Top 10 Memoirs, ALA Top 10 Books for Young Readers.
Akbar has also made two documentaries for the Peabody-winning This American Life on NPR. The first documentary focused on life in Kabul in post-Taliban Afghanistan and the challenges that faced the central government. His second documentary was based on time spent in Kunar, Afghanistan – a volatile province on the border with Pakistan. Akbar’s work on NPR received a National Journalism Award, a Third Coast International Silver Prize and an Overseas Press Club citation.
Akbar has appeared on Morning Edition, PBS and BBC World News among others. He has also been featured in GQ, New York Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times and various other publications. Akbar has also authored articles for The New York Times and Slate.
Along with his work in the media, Akbar has also been involved with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in archiving and keeping records of Afghanistan’s current events.
Akbar was also the co-director of Wadan Afghanistan, an NGO that he founded to focus on quick impact reconstruction projects in his native province of Kunar. The NGO rebuilt schools and helped villages with access to water among other things.
Akbar is fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, Hindi, and Urdu.
While at Yale, Akbar became the subject of controversy when, along with two other students, he was arrested for arson when he burned an American flag. Akbar admitted to burning the flag and had to perform 50 hours of community service.
External links
- The Said Hyder Akbar sound recordings at the Hoover Institution Archives were the basis of his documentaries for National Public Radio.