ST. LOUIS — Photos of historic Afghanistan landmarks hang on the walls of the new Afghan Community Center located in a building on South Grand in suite 105 where dozens of community members, leaders, and representatives from organizations on Friday attended the grand opening.
The St. Louis Afghan community and refugees now have a new space to come together as part of the Afghan Support Program’s efforts to provide resources for Afghan individuals, families, and refugees.
The Afghan Support Program is managed under the International Institute of St. Louis.
“The center is going to be a place for us to heal, for us to grow, and most importantly, for us to hold onto our identity,” said Moji Sidiqi, Afghan Community Development program manager, during Friday’s event.
“I’ve been here for 23 years and there’s been so many growing pains of feeling ‘othered,’ but now I feel that new arrivals are not going to have to suffer in those ways that we suffered.”
Sidiqi said the community center is open to every Afghan in St. Louis and around the country.
The Institute not only held a ribbon cutting for its new Afghan Community Center, but also to mark the official launch of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce that will be housed in the center.
Gul Tatakhil, who owns a local Subway franchise, is the inaugural member of Afghan Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and an Afghan entrepreneur grant award review panelist.
As an Afghan American, a business owner, and a father, Tatakhil said he is a well-wisher for his people and for the city of St. Louis.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped embrace my people with open arms and heart,” he said during Friday’s event.
Tatakhil thanked Afghan Support Program founder Jerry Schlichter and International Institute President and CEO Arrey Obenson for their benevolence, as well as extended his ongoing support to the community.
“In my 30 years of living in St. Louis, I have been working hard to gather my people and create a sense of unity,” Tatakhil said. “I want every Afghan to know that there is a place for each and every one of you here at the center.”
The Afghan Chamber of Commerce is going to provide community businesses with key resources, as well as build a strong network and partnerships, Tatakhil said.
“As a business owner and entrepreneur who will promote the interests of our local business community, we’ll work to provide access to valuable resources, discounts and relationships that will help our businesses save money and market our product,” he said.
“There’s so much to be done, we invite the greater St. Louis Afghan community to come play their part in the very vital and necessary effort.”
Obenson acknowledged the hard work, support and collaboration from staff, community members and organizations in making the community center and chamber of commerce come to fruition.
“We are not just welcoming Afghans, we’re building a community for them here,” he said.
As a result of the work done by the Institute and the community, Obenson said more Afghan refugees and families are continuing to resettle in St. Louis.
“What we are doing here is novel; it’s not done anywhere across the United States,” he said. “St. Louis stands out and we hope we continue to stand out.”
In 2022, IISTL helped 1,010 people resettle and provide resources for 200 Afghans, 293 Ukrainians and nearly 300 other refugees, among others.
This year, IISTL is prepared to welcome 1,150 new arrivals to St. Louis, including 500 refugees, 350 Afghans and 400 Ukrainians.
“Today, we are welcoming the Afghans, but the work doesn’t end here because we have to continue as a community to be welcoming and encourage immigrants from all over the world to come to St. Louis,” Obenson said.
The Afghan Support Program started over a year ago with a purpose to meet the needs of Afghan refugees who risked their lives to build a new life in St. Louis, according to Schlichter.
He mentioned that the city of St. Louis has a need to grow its neighborhoods.
“We all know immigrants build neighborhoods and strengthen cities,” Schlichter said. “So, it’s an opportunity for us as a community to embrace and welcome Afghans in a way that shows we stand above other cities because we want to help them build their community in our community, and that’s the purpose of the program.”
Schlichter also commended the work of the International Institute as a whole.
Another initiative recently launched by the Afghan Support Program is an Afghan publication called Akhbar St. Louis. The first edition debuted in January.