Tommy Tiernan Show viewers praise 'wonderful guest' who fled Taliban regime

Everyone has been saying the same thing about Saturday's (February 22) Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One!

Now in its eighth year, the Tommy Tiernan Show welcomes mystery guests each week, with the host, Tommy, interviewing said guests without any preparation or knowledge of who will be joining him until they meet in studio. 

This week featured an incredible line-up, including iconic comedian Suzzie Eddie Izzard, Cork artist Michael Mulcahy, and Afghan dentist Dr Manizha Khan. 

All bringing their own unique perspectives and life stories to the table, Dr Khan stole the hearts of the nation when sharing the harrowing story of fleeing her country to come to Ireland, due to the Taliban's oppressive regime. 

Dr Khan was a dean and lecturer of a dental school in Afghanistan. At this time, the Taliban, who had just regained power, were taking measures to prevent women from working, especially those in a positions of power. 

In a true testament of courage and faith, the doctor refused to stop. This led to Dr Khan receiving a threatening letter from the Taliban for going against their wishes. 

Not long after this, Dr Khan and her family fled to Ireland once they were granted refugee status in November of 2021. 

Reflecting on her experience as a refugee and what it was like to relocate to Ireland, Dr Khan said, "It really is a chronic pain. You lose everything you know. You lose your home, you lose your hometown, you lose your people you know and you lose all the dreams and who you are."

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On becoming a refugee she said that academic achievements turn to "nothing" and that you just “turn into one word and that’s ‘refugee.'"

Dr Khan candidly confessed that she always thinks of the people left behind, including her father, other family members, and past students, particularly the young women she taught. 

Since leaving Afghanistan, Dr Khan now lives and works in Cork, and continues to be a powerful activist for women's rights, in education and equal opportunities for work, inside and outside Afghanistan. She has also become a leading voice for refugees and asylum seekers wishing to start a new life in Ireland.

With a connection formed between Dr Khan and Mr Tiernan, the activist revealed she has always been a fan of the comedian's work, even when living in Afghanistan, and credits his humour because "comedy was something that kept us going" in the tough and uncertain times.

Speaking on this, Dr Khan said, "I even went back from the time when you were young and I've listened to so many of your jokes so many times and I've seen you grow through your shows and with age and everything, and that is so amazing."

Viewers of the show were blown away by the powerful interview, with many fans taking to social media to praise the incredible Dr Khan.

One X user called the woman "a wonderful guest" while another said, "Dr Khan , what an amazing woman, giving a great insight to how women are treated in Afghanistan."

If you missed Saturday's Tommy Tiernan Show, you can watch it on the RTÉ player, here.