GemPalace

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I am Rohina Sadozai, born into a family of artisans. After completing my education at Rabia Balkhi High School, I naturally followed in my family’s footsteps and embraced the craft that has been passed down through generations. I owe this path to my great teacher, the late Mal Jamaluddin Hakak, who not only shaped my craft but inspired many others in our community. He was born in 1883 in Kabul, where he became known for teaching the Quran to local children. His legacy lived on through his sons and grandsons, including my maternal grandfather, Abdul Haq Hakak, who went on to establish Kabul Jamal Stone, now led by his sons. After finishing school, I joined the Firoz Koh Institute in 2011, where I had the privilege of learning under my uncle, the late Abdul Azim Hakak. At the institute, I focused on engraving, alongside courses in calligraphy, carpentry, ceramics, and jewelry making. I graduated with fourteen credits, then earned my bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a major in sculpture from Kabul University in 2016. While life threw me some challenges and I had to step back from my craft for a while, my passion for it never wavered. In 2024, I took a leap and founded my own company, GEM Police, after securing some funding from an institution. That same year, I returned to the Firoz Koh Institute as an intern and graduated once again. It’s a true honor for me to continue this craft, following in the footsteps of my ancestors, and I’m proud to share this journey with my older brother, Abdul Sami Sadozai, who is also passionate and talented in the same field.