Look Back into the Pervasive Influences in Afghanistan
The Taliban may no longer be in power over the formal Afghan government, but that does not mean that the Taliban no longer have any hold over the Afghans. Actually, the Taliban is alive and well with its leaders living in exile in nearby Pakistan and many Taliban guerillas still hiding out in pockets of resistance in their home Afghanistan.
Why is it so difficult to stop Taliban’s power and release the Afghans from their power? It is necessary to understand first the roots of the Taliban and the “debt of gratitude” that many Afghans still believe they owe to the Taliban to be able to understand this phenomenon.
Past and Present Foreign Interference and Participation in Afghanistan’s Affairs
It was not always chaos and poverty for the Afghans. Before the Afghan-Soviet war that started in 1978, Afghanistan was showing promise of progress and there was relative peace. The government then was socialist in its persuasions. The seriously disparate distribution of lands among the people caused untold suffering for more than 90% of the people. But the government then was able to institute policies to free farmers who were neck-deep in debt, from their loans. It re-distributed land among the people and even allowed them to practice Islam freely.
Healing the Wounds of Afghanistan:Moving on From Its Bloody Past
Afghanistan has a bloody past. Regardless of that, however, it is inevitable for its people to come to terms with this and move on with dignity. It is time for them to say “enough of violence” and to prove themselves to the rest of the world that they are capable of living decently in a peaceful and progressive environment. Now is their chance to prove that they are able to chart their own destiny and govern themselves as rightful members of the civilized world. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.
The Ravaging Effects of the Afghanistan Wars
Any country subjected to the number, intensity and extent of wars that rocked Afghanistan would be reduced to mere rubble. This particular country, however, managed to pull through its violent past and is limping its way to a more peaceful and progressive era.
The average person would not know how many wars the Afghans had to fight and for what purpose they took up arms. Very briefly, let us revisit these events to gain a better understanding of what shaped the Afghanistan that we know today.
Putting Back the Rule of Law in Afghanistan
The rule of law in Afghanistan is relatively weak even six years after the country has been freed from the oppressive Taliban regime. The country is coming from decades of war, violence and anarchy, thus, it is understandable that it takes time before the government and the people can come to terms with living in a peaceful environment. Sometimes, it makes people wonder whether it should be wise to establish the rule of law first before achieving economic progress, or the other way around. This sure is a “chicken or egg” case.
A Peep into an Afghan Home
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a country deeply wounded by decades of fighting and violence, is now on the road to recovery, albeit in a very shaky phase. In the middle of this healing process is the Afghan family, characteristically braving the challenges of this new, exciting period of the country’s history.
Just like in other countries, the family is the most basic unit of the Afghan society.
One can find a typical Afghan household in the rural areas, where the way of life is still as it was in the past. Strong family ties characterize the family unit, as well as pride, respect for the other members and honor.
The Legendary Qais Abdur Rashid
This article talks about Qais Abdur Rashid and why he is the progenitor of the Pashtun people. Who is Qais Abdur Rashid and what is his role in the early history of Pashtuns and Islam?
Qais Abdur Rashid is one of the more famous pashtuns in history. He was born in southern Afghanistan, specifically around the vicinity of the Sulaiman Mountains in Zhob, and was initially named Pehtan Qais. This was around 575 AD and he is said to have died around 661 AD and is supposed to be buried in Kas-Ghar or Takht-e-Sulaiman.
Pashtuns’ Influence in Afghan History and Culture
The Pashtuns are part of what makes up modern day Afghanistan. They have formed some of the more enduring traditions in Afghani lives.
Pashtuns have been often called ethnic Afghans. They have a long and mixed history with many other countries other than Afghanistan. They are believed to be descended from the Eastern-Iranians who would usually travel around the connected countries. The early Pashtuns are Old Iranian tribes that traveled all over the Eastern Iranian plateau. Those who speak Pashto refer to themselves, depending on which side they came from, as Pashtoon or Pukhtuns. It is not uncommon to find light haired or light colored eyes among these people.
Will the Taliban Win the War of the Villages?
The present situation in Afghanistan can be called “the War of the Villages” because the Taliban has been able to survive after being driven out of power in 2001 due mainly to its strongholds of support within the rural areas of Afghanistan. Kaplan states that less than 25% of the Afghan population resides in the urban areas – leaving the remaining 75% populating the villages in the remote regions of Afghanistan. For families residing in Afghan villages, the tribe and “God’s representatives” can be said to hold more influence over their sentiments, attitudes, and actions than a remote abstract concept like a “liberal democratic government”.
What is the Fate of Post-Taliban Afghanistan?
Anyone who has been following the news about Afghanistan knows that the previous Taliban regime has been overthrown and a new government espousing liberal democracy has been set in place which has the support of the international community. But a good question to ask now is: what is the fate of Afghanistan under a post-Taliban government?
One positive development is the creation of a new NGO law that seeks to promote the legitimacy of local NGOs while improving the operating environment they exist under. The law was produced under a joint collaboration of Afghan organizations, the new Afghan government, and Counterpart International, and then ratified in 2004.
Afghan Women after the Taliban Era
The Taliban were ousted from power after only five years of rule over the oppressed Afghan people. Now, the new Afghan government is trying to create and sustain a liberal democracy – and hopefully, Afghan women will be able to take part in this new society, perhaps even becoming part of the government decision-makers, if possible.
The work of rebuilding the country may be said to begin at the village level, if village women of Afghanistan are permitted to make crucial decisions pertaining to their own welfare.
Afghanistan in Constant Strife
Being a country that shares 100% of its borders with other countries during ancient times was not an ideal situation to be in. Also because the ancient times were marked by several episodes of conflict and strife, Afghanistan invariably became a strategic staging ground to launch attacks on its neighbors and was, therefore an area constantly fought over by invaders and defenders alike. Such has been the situation of Afghanistan, which shares its entire geographic boundaries with Pakistan in the South and East, Iran in the West, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on its Northern border.
Religion, Spirituality and Tradition, the Afghan Way of Life
The Afghan Constitution is guided by Islamic standards. As stated in the Constitution, “No law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam.” Due to this, some other religious communities remain underground societies of sorts, because of a very limited religious freedom in our society. Of the other religions, there are possibly 3,000 Sikh and Hindu Afghans, while the estimated population of Christians are only at 500 to 8,000. The estimates of their numbers are uncertain, because this religion is not as easily welcomed in our country. On the other hand, there are also some 400 Afghans who profess to be followers of the Baha’i faith.
Peering Through the Constant Rubble
In general, the people of Afghanistan are called Afghans. In some areas, particularly the eastern portion of Afghanistan, they are also known as Pashtuns (or Pakhtuns). A more appropriate term to call them, however, is “fiercely independent”.
Conflict is certainly nothing new to the hardy citizens of this landlocked country which shares 100% of its borders with its neighbors in Central Asia and the Middle East (Pakistan in the South and East, Iran in the West, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on its Northern border).
Coping with Conflict: Living through Borders
Afghans (as they are generally called, although those who live in the eastern part of the country are also known as Pashtoons are known for their resilience. This characteristic is brought about by the fact that their country has always been the arena for armed conflict that dates all the way back to ancient history. Coping with conflict is as normal and regular to the Afghan as waking up every morning. Since time immemorial, Afghanistan has been the unfortunate venue for several invasions.
Land of the Afghans: The Home
The “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” is the official name of Afghanistan, a landlocked country straddling Central Asia and the Middle East. It shares its entire geographic boundaries with several countries. There are several theories, each with its own body of evidence. One claim is that during the pre-Christian era, the Pashtuns (or Pashtoon, an Eastern Iranian ethno-linguistic group, also known as the ethnic Afghan) living in an area now known as Eastern Afghanistan were known as breeders of fine horses.