SOCIETY — June 20, 2026
Shepherd Boy from Ghazni Valleys Becomes Cardiologist in Copenhagen
Born in 1371 in the Siyuk valley of Qarabagh district, Firoz worked as a shepherd from age 11, left Afghanistan at 15 due to local disputes, and reached Denmark in 2009 before overcoming four years of residency rejections to qualify as a cardiologist.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Firoz was born in the month of Qaws in the year 1371 in the remote Siyuk valley of Qarabagh district, Ghazni province. He lost his father when he was an infant. During his childhood, he was separated from his mother after undertaking a multi-hour journey through the mountains.
Starting around the age of 11, Firoz worked as a shepherd while attending school on an irregular basis. He also engaged in farming activities. Economic pressures forced him to leave his formal education incomplete by the time he reached 15 years of age.
Due to local disputes, Firoz departed Afghanistan at the age of 15 and went to Iran. He arrived in Denmark in 2009 when he was 17 years old.
Firoz faced four years of rejections regarding his residency application in Denmark. He eventually secured residency and pursued his studies to become a cardiologist. He now practices in Copenhagen.
The account of his life is presented on World Refugee Day to illustrate the experiences of refugees.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct biographical narrative with named individual (Firoz), specific locations (Siyuk, Qarabagh, Ghazni, Copenhagen), timeline details, and personal context; no other sources contradict the account.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "a long story", "bigger than children's dreams", "heavy shadow", "lost something that he searched for years later: an embrace" — these phrases add emotional framing and poetic imagery to the personal narrative of hardship and loss.
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Afghanistan International
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Society — Firoz, Ghazni, World Refugee Day, Afghan refugees, Copenhagen
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