Zahra Hussaini

Zahra Hussaini is a cultural and human rights activist from Afghanistan. Hussaini holds a BA in Archaeology from Bamyan University and has worked with several NGOs and media outlets to promote women's rights and freedom of expression.

Hussaini began working on women's issues as an assistant to the office of Habiba Sarabi, Governor of Bamyan and Afghanistan's first female governor. In 2012, she worked as a producer for social and cultural programmes focused on women's rights and freedom of expression for Paiwand Radio Station in Bamyan. In addition, Hussaini has worked with other NGOs, including the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO) and the Civil Society Office in the Central Zone of Bamyan.

Between 2013 and 2016, Hussaini co-founded and led a local cycling team named 'Salsal and Shahmama', with the goal to teach and promote the right of girls to cycle. In 2014, she organised the first co-ed cycling race in Afghanistan's history. The race was conducted annual until the Taliban takeover of the country in 2021. Hussain's efforts to promote women's rights through cycling were included in Hannah Ross's book Revolution: How Women Changed the World on Two Wheels.

Zahra Hossaini is the founder of the annual festival 'A Night with Buddha' which commemorates the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas by the Taliban regime in 2001.

As a result of her cultural and activist work, Hussaini was harassed and targeted by religious groups and individuals.

Between 2021 and 2023, Zahra Hussaini was the ICORN resident in Stockholm. She continues working from Sweden. Since 2022, 'A Night with Buddha' has been hosted by Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm.