History of the Association

Early Community Efforts

For many years, Afghans residing in Poland recognized the need for a formal and legally registered organization that could represent the Afghan community, promote Afghan culture, and provide structured support to Afghans living across the country. Various informal initiatives, gatherings, and discussions took place over time with the aim of building such a platform. Although these early efforts were sincere and well-intentioned, previous attempts to establish a registered association faced legal, administrative, and organizational challenges and therefore did not succeed at the time.

Despite these obstacles, these early initiatives played a very important role in strengthening solidarity among Afghans in Poland. Community members continued supporting one another through informal networks, cultural activities, and social initiatives. These collective efforts gradually laid the foundation for the establishment of a unified and legally recognized organization that could serve the Afghan community in a structured and sustainable way.

Key Community Contributors

Among the individuals who demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting Afghans in Poland from the early years, Mr. Ali Oria stands out as one of the most respected figures in the community. For many years, he provided assistance to Afghans through personal initiatives, organizing cultural and religious events, often covering the costs personally. Mr. Oria also helped many Afghans find employment and provided support to those who were newly arriving or facing difficult circumstances. His dedication to community service and his repeated attempts to formally establish an Afghan association in Poland played a significant role in inspiring others to continue working toward a unified community platform.

Another key figure whose contributions greatly benefited Afghans living in Poland is Mr. Meiwand Shinwery. Known for his dedication and humanitarian efforts, Mr. Shinwery has consistently supported Afghans in times of need. His assistance extended from helping families in difficult situations to providing employment opportunities and financial support to vulnerable individuals. In many cases, he personally travelled to distant areas to assist Afghan families, including helping with the dignified transfer of deceased Afghans and supporting those who had no family or resources. He has also been widely recognized for assisting Afghans in navigating administrative challenges by providing interpretation and support in courts, police stations, and hospitals.

Beginning of the Organizational Process

During a religious gathering held at the Ali Oria residence in September 2021, on the occasion of Ihsan’s father’s Fātiḥa, several invitees expressed their appreciation for the event and proposed formally organizing future cultural and religious activities through a registered association. The majority of participants supported this initiative and voted in favor of establishing an official Afghan Association. However, one individual opposed the decision, citing concerns about the potential for fraud and corruption in the collection of monthly membership fees. As a result, the meeting concluded without a definitive outcome.

For an extended period thereafter, individuals such as Mr. Oria and Mr. Shinwery continued to support the Afghan community through personal initiatives and informal engagement. A new phase began with the arrival of Mr. Elyas Elyassi, who had recently migrated to Poland and demonstrated a strong interest in contributing to the Afghan community through a structured and officially recognized platform.

Recognizing the importance of preserving Afghan cultural values while strengthening cooperation among Afghans living in Poland, Mr. Elyassi began working with community members to explore the possibility of creating a formal association.

A significant moment occurred during Eid ul-Adha 2025, when many Afghans gathered in front of the mosque after the Eid prayer. During that gathering, community members called for greater unity, cooperation, and the creation of an organized platform that could represent Afghans in Poland. Following this call for unity, Mr. Elyassi took the initiative to move the process forward and began working toward obtaining an official legal structure for the community.

The 13-Member Interim Committee

Prior to the formation of the interim committee, an Eid gathering was hosted by Mr. Ali Oria at his residence, where several members of the Afghan community came together to discuss the establishment of a formal organization and emphasized the importance of reopening the opportunity to establish an official association. A subsequent meeting was hosted by Mr. Miewend Shinwery to coordinate among key community members and leaders, the outcomes of which led the members to assist Mr. Abdul Qader in hosting a gathering.

During this meeting, participants agreed in principle to proceed with the establishment of a fully registered association. It was further agreed that leadership positions would be filled at a later stage through a transparent process supported by the community. At the same meeting, responsibility for drafting the association’s statute and coordinating consultations with community members was entrusted to Mr. Elyas Elyassi.

However, shortly after the drafting process began, a group led by several individuals expressed opposition to the initiative and announced that they would boycott the process. Despite this challenge, community members who remained committed to the idea of a unified organization continued consultations and meetings in order to move the process forward.

Following several additional discussions, it was agreed that a broader interim committee composed of 13 members should be established to guide the process and ensure that the formation of the association would proceed in a structured, transparent, and inclusive manner. Consequently, a 13-member interim committee was formally formed, with Mr. Elyas Elyassi appointed as the head of the committee.

The committee was tasked with evaluating possible organizational options for establishing a formal platform for the Afghan community in Poland. Two main options were considered:

• Continuing activities under an existing foundation previously established by an Afghan in Poland.
• Establishing a new independent association with a newly developed statute.

During the committee’s discussions, some disagreements emerged, including proposals suggesting that the leadership structure should be organized according to ethnic representation. The majority of committee members, however, rejected this approach and emphasized that leadership positions should be determined based on merit, experience, and commitment to community service, rather than ethnic affiliation.

After careful discussion and deliberation, the committee held a vote. The majority supported the second option, the establishment of a new independent association that would represent Afghans residing in Poland in an inclusive, transparent, and community-driven manner.

Drafting of the Statute and Community Elections

During this period, the statute of the Association was developed by Mr. Elyassi with contributions and consultations from community members. After the statute was finalized and the committee completed its work, a large community gathering was organized on September 7, 2025, where transparent elections were held to select the leadership of the newly established association.

During this election process:

• Mr. Ali Oria was elected as President
• Mr. Meiwand Shinwery was elected as Deputy President

Their election reflected the trust and support of the founders and members of the Afghan community present at the gathering.

Founding Members

The seven founding members of the Association are:

• Mr. Ali Oria
• Mr. Meiwand Shinwery
• Mr. Elyas Elyassi
• Mr. Abdul Wahid Amiri
• Mr. Shiraz Hashemi
• Mr. Saleem Safi
• Mr. Ahmad Jawaid Momand

In addition to the leadership roles played by Mr. Oria, Mr. Shinwery, and Mr. Elyassi, the other founders also made important contributions to the establishment of the Association. Mr. Abdul Wahid Amiri, Mr. Shiraz Hashemi, Mr. Saleem Safi, and Mr. Ahmad Jawaid Momand actively participated in consultations, organizational discussions, and community meetings that helped shape the Association. Their engagement during the preparatory phase contributed to drafting the statute, mobilizing community members, and organizing the first transparent leadership elections.

Together, these founders formally established the Association of Afghans Residing in Poland, creating a legal and institutional platform dedicated to promoting unity, cultural heritage, community support, and constructive engagement with Polish institutions and society.

Community Supporters

In addition to the founders, several respected members of the Afghan community provided valuable support during the formation process of the Association. Their participation in discussions, consultations, and organizational efforts contributed to the development of the statute and the successful organization of the election process.

The Association gratefully recognizes the support and encouragement of:

Haji Mohammad Yonus Yaqubi, Prof. Walid Ahmad Formoli, Aslam Khan Tarakai, Mohammad Asif Akbari, Eng. Mohammad Qais Yaqubi, Muhammad Khan, Esmat Armani, Abdul Qader, Omeed Nazari, Haji Nasir Amiri, Rafiullah Elyassi, Kashif Roodmal, Tariq Aziz, Aryan Noori, Baktash Nazari, Ahmad Khan, Fahim Khan, Attaurahman, Mairwais Pashtunyar, Samim Orya, Arash Hussaini, Sameer Orya, Ali Baloch, Najim, Abdul Khaliq Shirzad, Javed Alakozai, Mubarak Shah, Basharmal Ghafari, Saboor Shah Daudzai, Hafez Shirzad, Zaki Orya, Ahmad Elham, Ahmad Eltaf, Qahar Zazai, Sultan Pacha, Daryoosh Fazli, Sohail Fazli, Noman Zahirzai, Sayed Rasool Rasooli, Mohammad Raeys Khan, Rajab Ali, Riaz Ahmad Shirzad, Zaki, Zabi Kargar, Suboor Khosti, Ahmad Farid Hakimi, Abdul Shokor Hozoori, Wais Yousufi, Mirza Ghulami, Najeeb Elyassi, Omer Shinwari, Omid Nezami, Ibrahim Shinwari, Haroon Ahmadzai, Mohammad Nabi, Hanafi, Ali Hussaini, Sayed Riza, Dost Mohammad, Khaksar Khan, Mustafa, Abdullah and Asad Afghan. Their support, along with that of other individuals whose names are not listed here, during the preparatory phase helped facilitate dialogue, strengthen cooperation within the Afghan community, and contribute to the successful establishment of the Association.

Moving Forward

Today, the Association of Afghans Residing in Poland continues to work toward strengthening unity within the Afghan community, promoting Afghan cultural heritage, supporting Afghans in need, and building constructive partnerships with Polish institutions and society.

The Association remains committed to serving as a platform that represents the Afghan community in Poland while fostering cooperation, cultural understanding, and social engagement.