THE FAZLI–BARIKZOY–SHAGHASI FAMILY LEGACY
From Afghanistan to the United States of America — Generation to Generation
Family Origins: The Shaghasi Lineage
The Shaghasi (شاغاسي / Shaghasi Khel) are traditionally identified as a branch of the Barakzai, who belong to the Zirak branch of the Durrani Pashtun confederacy. Their historical roots are strongly associated with the Kandahar region, and Shaghasi families became influential in Afghanistan’s political, military, royal, and administrative history.
The documented history of the Shaghasi as a distinct branch is particularly visible in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, although family traditions and ancestral accounts trace their roots much further back. In describing our family’s origins, it is important to recognize the difference between documented genealogy and the traditional family history passed down from one generation to the next.
During the rise of the Barakzai dynasty, members of the Shaghasi family held important positions within the Afghan government, military, royal court, and provincial administration. Among the prominent figures associated with the family were Loinab Sher Dil Khan Shaghasi, Loinab Khush Dil Khan Shaghasi, and Ali Ahmad Khan Shaghasi. Sher Dil Khan’s daughter, Sarwar Sultana Shaghasi, became the mother of King Amanullah Khan, one of Afghanistan’s most important modern rulers.
This history represents an important part of the heritage and family traditions connecting the Shaghasi, Barikzoy, and Fazli families across generations.
From Afghanistan to America
Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi — Born 1966
In 1979, when I was twelve years old, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan changed my life forever. Because of war and circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to complete my education. I reached only the ninth grade, but life became my teacher.
Through struggle, hard work, courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and experience, I continued to educate myself. My journey eventually brought me from Afghanistan to the United States of America, where I built a new life and continued learning.
I do not want my greatest legacy to be money, cars, or jewelry. I want my legacy to be knowledge, education, family history, courage, and the lessons I learned throughout my life.
The Next Generation: Afghan American Born
Sophia Fazli Yasmeen Barikzoy Shaghasi — Born 1999
“My beautiful daughter, Sophia Fazli, graduated from San Francisco State University with a 4.0 GPA and earned the highest academic honor, summa cum laude — a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.”
A Letter to My Daughter
To my beautiful daughter, Sophia:
I leave you these books — not simply as possessions, but as a part of my life. They contain my experiences, my struggles, my lessons, my family history, and the knowledge I gained throughout my journey.
I want you to carry this legacy forward and share its message with your children, with future generations of our family, with the people of Afghanistan, and with the children of the United States of America.
Never take education for granted. Go to school. Learn. Ask questions. Grow. Continue educating yourself throughout your life. Use your knowledge to make the world a better place.
I also want you to protect women, children, animals, women’s rights, and the rights, dignity, and dreams of young girls. Use your education, courage, compassion, and strength to stand up for those who need a voice.
These books are not my wealth. They are my legacy. Protect them. Learn from them. Add your own knowledge and experiences to them. Then pass them on to the next generation.
Our Story Continues
From the history and traditions of the Shaghasi and Barikzoy families of Afghanistan, to my journey as Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi, and now to you, Sophia — our story continues in a new generation in America.
May future generations remember where we came from, understand the sacrifices that brought us here, and use education, courage, compassion, perseverance, and hard work to build an even better future.
From Afghanistan to the United States of America.
From one generation to the next.
From our ancestors to our children.
This is the legacy I, Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi, leave to my daughter, Sophia Fazli Yasmeen Barikzoy Shaghasi, and to the generations who come after us.
2026
From Afghanistan to the United States of America — Generation to Generation
Family Origins: The Shaghasi Lineage
The Shaghasi (شاغاسي / Shaghasi Khel) are traditionally identified as a branch of the Barakzai, who belong to the Zirak branch of the Durrani Pashtun confederacy. Their historical roots are strongly associated with the Kandahar region, and Shaghasi families became influential in Afghanistan’s political, military, royal, and administrative history.
The documented history of the Shaghasi as a distinct branch is particularly visible in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, although family traditions and ancestral accounts trace their roots much further back. In describing our family’s origins, it is important to recognize the difference between documented genealogy and the traditional family history passed down from one generation to the next.
During the rise of the Barakzai dynasty, members of the Shaghasi family held important positions within the Afghan government, military, royal court, and provincial administration. Among the prominent figures associated with the family were Loinab Sher Dil Khan Shaghasi, Loinab Khush Dil Khan Shaghasi, and Ali Ahmad Khan Shaghasi. Sher Dil Khan’s daughter, Sarwar Sultana Shaghasi, became the mother of King Amanullah Khan, one of Afghanistan’s most important modern rulers.
This history represents an important part of the heritage and family traditions connecting the Shaghasi, Barikzoy, and Fazli families across generations.
From Afghanistan to America
Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi — Born 1966
In 1979, when I was twelve years old, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan changed my life forever. Because of war and circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to complete my education. I reached only the ninth grade, but life became my teacher.
Through struggle, hard work, courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and experience, I continued to educate myself. My journey eventually brought me from Afghanistan to the United States of America, where I built a new life and continued learning.
I do not want my greatest legacy to be money, cars, or jewelry. I want my legacy to be knowledge, education, family history, courage, and the lessons I learned throughout my life.
The Next Generation: Afghan American Born
Sophia Fazli Yasmeen Barikzoy Shaghasi — Born 1999
“My beautiful daughter, Sophia Fazli, graduated from San Francisco State University with a 4.0 GPA and earned the highest academic honor, summa cum laude — a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.”
A Letter to My Daughter
To my beautiful daughter, Sophia:
I leave you these books — not simply as possessions, but as a part of my life. They contain my experiences, my struggles, my lessons, my family history, and the knowledge I gained throughout my journey.
I want you to carry this legacy forward and share its message with your children, with future generations of our family, with the people of Afghanistan, and with the children of the United States of America.
Never take education for granted. Go to school. Learn. Ask questions. Grow. Continue educating yourself throughout your life. Use your knowledge to make the world a better place.
I also want you to protect women, children, animals, women’s rights, and the rights, dignity, and dreams of young girls. Use your education, courage, compassion, and strength to stand up for those who need a voice.
These books are not my wealth. They are my legacy. Protect them. Learn from them. Add your own knowledge and experiences to them. Then pass them on to the next generation.
Our Story Continues
From the history and traditions of the Shaghasi and Barikzoy families of Afghanistan, to my journey as Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi, and now to you, Sophia — our story continues in a new generation in America.
May future generations remember where we came from, understand the sacrifices that brought us here, and use education, courage, compassion, perseverance, and hard work to build an even better future.
From Afghanistan to the United States of America.
From one generation to the next.
From our ancestors to our children.
This is the legacy I, Fahim Fazli Barikzoy Shaghasi, leave to my daughter, Sophia Fazli Yasmeen Barikzoy Shaghasi, and to the generations who come after us.
2026
