Nawa receives regular emails and comments on social media praising her speaking abilities to connect with and teach audiences what she knows. Some examples of feedback:
“Thank you so much for joining the Afghanistan panel on Monday evening. Everyone at the club said you were the rock star of the event and brought the panel to life! In fact, you were so great … we should think of another event so we can invite you back to speak again!”
Kitty, Commonwealth Club, San Francisco
“When you came here last time, everyone was thrilled with your presentation and they want you back to speak to a bigger audience … Can you look in your calendar very hard again and see if you can squeeze us into your busy schedule. Everyone is asking me to ask you to please come here and speak.”
Fowzia Zaka, Scientist, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
“I have heard numerous comments from Rotarians, all of them exuberant! Thank you for being of service.”
David Ginsborg, Rotarian, San Jose Rotary Club
“I would like to thank you … again for participating in our program on the Role of Women in Afghanistan. Your generous time, insights and invaluable contributions to this exhibition and the public’s understanding of related issues is most appreciated. Your knowledge and informed comments helped us all understand this topic in a meaningful way.”
Lisa Vestal, Chief Curator, San Francisco Public Library
“Powerful, evocative, and poetic. I love that she pulled the drawstring in at the end and wove that commonality between all of us. We all have an absolute idea of where we believe home to be, where we will be most comfortable and for so many, especially within the immigrant diaspora, that nostalgia hinders their experience of the present, where those who love them and the product of their weary past culminate serendipitously.”
Bobuck Sayed, Afghan-Australian immigrant regarding Nawa’s TEDx talk “An exile finds home,” Melbourne, Australia
“Your lecture was beautifully presented. I admire your work, your life, very much.”
Amy Donohue, Executive Director, Carmel Public Library Foundation
“As a dedicated member of the Junior State of America, I can honestly say that the best speaker I have been lucky enough to listen to was Ms. Fariba Nawa. Ms. Nawa’s presentation was professional yet personal and kept the entire audience engaged, which is quite a feat given how difficult it usually is to keep teenage minds from wandering astray for an hour. Even days after her presentation, I had students come up to me just to tell me how glad they were that they chose to come see her speak. Her compelling stories and extensive knowledge of the Middle East intrigued the entire audience.”
Ava Ghezelayagh, Organizer, The Junior State of America
“My students are still talking about your visit — they found your knowledge and experience truly impressive.”
Sara Parker, Professor of Political Science, Chabot Community College
“If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and engaging speaker … then Ms. Fariba Nawa is an exceptional choice.”
Feray Baskin, Professor of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington