Program archives

Dr. M. Nadir Atash was born in Kabul. He first came to the U.S. in the 1960s as an American Field Service student to attend high school in Madison, Wisconsin. He then attended the American University of Beirut. Dr. Atash returned to Kabul where, for seven years, he served in the Ministry of Education’s Science Center. He received an M.S. in Science Education from Claremont Graduate School, California in 1973, and his Ph.D. in Educational Research, Statistics and Measurement at Florida State University in 1981. He has been a well-known activist and pillar among the Afghan diaspora by supporting organizations working in the areas of sports, culture, and education. In 1998, he was instrumental in obtaining permits, raising funds, and implementing the construction of the Mustafa Center, the area’s first masjid and community center for Afghans. He founded Nooristan Foundation in 1999, a non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding rural areas of Afghanistan.

After the September 11th attacks, he returned to Afghanistan to assist with reconstruction efforts and serve as a bridge of understanding between his country of birth and adopted country, and was chosen as President of Ariana Airlines in 2005. In 2007-08, Dr. Atash hosted his own satellite talk show “Nazar,” which aired on Ariana Afghanistan TV. Nazar focused on providing useful insights into Afghan politics and culture. He has appeared in U.S. and international media (Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, The Washington Times, National Press Club, AFP and more), speaking on democracy, private sector development, and education, and is the author of “TURBULENCE – The Tumultuous Journey of One Man’s Quest for Change in Afghanistan,” published in August 2009.