By Brian Branch
We are raising funds to provide temporary lodging for Bashir Khan and his family who have fled Afghanistan after persecution by the Taliban.
Bashir Khan was an employee of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) who helped develop an Islamic finance model for credit unions and expanded credit union outreach to more than 170,000 people of Afghanistan. Bashir implemented WOCCU’s project in Afghanistan which generated 42 million dollars in revenue for WOCCU.
Bashir also served as the CEO of the Afghanistan credit union association which was an active and full dues member of WOCCU. (CUToday.info earlier featured Khan and his story here.)
Ordered to Cease Operations
When Kabul fell in 2021 the Taliban told credit unions to cease operations. Despite being offered an exit through the airport, Bashir stayed in Kabul to support the credit union managers and their families. Bashir had to go into hiding and eventually was detained by the Taliban for working for the US based WOCCU. The Taliban took all of his savings and his family home, and he fled to Pakistan from which he continues to support Afghan credit union staff and their families.
Since 2021, Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s office has supported the visa application process for Bashir and his family to come to the US. Bashir and his family finally received their immigrant visas two weeks ago.
A Family & Its Aspirations
Bashir’s family includes son Adeel (age 6), who Bashir wants to see grow up to know freedom; daughters Sara (11) Somaya (15) and Samira (13) , who want to have access to an education, and Mohammad (20) who hopes to go to college one day.
Bashir remains a credit union believer and his ambition is to live in the US and to work in a U.S. credit union.
The Wisconsin Credit Union League has generously provided tickets for Bashir and his family to fly to Madison, Wis. To date, other organizations have declined to assist the Khan family in resettling.
A number of former employees and friends of WOCCU have come together to gather funds to provide temporary lodging for Bashir and his family when they first arrive and get settled.
We do not have the sponsorship of a formal institution, and this effort has no connection with or endorsement of WOCCU.
How to Make a Donation
I have created a Venmo account that you can send funds to if you will assist Bashir.
My cell number is 608 334 5117 and email is Bbranch007@gmail.com.
If you prefer to send a check my address is 1310 Edgehill Dr., Madison, Wis., 53705.
All funds will be used to provide housing and food for the Khan family when they arrive on Sept. 26. We will provide financial reporting and family updates to contributors.
Bashir and his family will be grateful for any support you can contribute.
Brian Branch is the former president and CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions.