2009 Elections in Afghanistan
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
June 19, 2009
I´ve recently made a new friend from Kabul, Afghanistan and he tells me that the people of Afghanistan want change like American´s wanted change in this past presidential election. By and large, the people of Afghanistan liked and supported President Hamid Karzai when he was seated four years ago as president. But times have changed and they thirst for another leader, perhaps with a different vision for the direction of their troubled and war torn country. Will they get their wish?
My new friend is a young man, born in 1979, who was originally educated under the Islamic religious madrassah´s which he tells me taught hate, ignorance, and extremism. He opted, against his family´s wishes, to become self educated. He speaks English, Pashtu, and Urdu and writes for the local press/internet in Kabul where he has a limited audience.
I promised him that if he helped me to understand what the people of Afghanistan want that I would put their hopes and dreams into words so the people of America can press our congressional representatives to work in that direction. He told me that the people of Afghanistan largely like what our troops presence has done for them as far as stability is concerned. They reject Al Qaeda and the violence they perpetuate. The people there live in constant fear that each day may be their last.
The people of Afghanistan require things that do not hinge on more devastation and death. They hope that their future will be bright and that more schools will be built. This young Afghan man tells me that all of the schools that have been built are filled to capacity and more children are waiting for their chance to get an education. They hope that their country will be rebuilt and not left in ruins. They hope their people will be safe and that they can join the world community in their fight against extremist acts of violence. The hope for a new economy not based on the poppy trade that bolsters Al Qaeda, but one that helps their people overcome poverty, have clean water to drink, to eat healthy and nutritional foods, that gives them a roof over their heads, and safety from violence, destruction, and death.
This young man tells me that in order for those changes to occur they need a new president who provides a new direction. He said that President Karzai is using state resources to bolster his position, peddle his influence, and perhaps even manipulate their elections. They do not want to be in the same position as the people of Iran are with regard to the scandalous election results, questionable recount and such. They want a chance for their voices to be heard and I am offering them such a platform.
Growing up in the United States as I did, and having not traveled to the Middle East, places me at a deficit in understanding just how awful it must be to live with the threat of violence and death each and every day. In today´s world we should almost never have to resort to war as means for resolving differing issues or beliefs. War should be the very last result, used only after one has exhausted all other avenues for resolution. I thank this young man for helping me to see what his people so desperately want and need! I also hope that they get their wish! Let peace reign supreme!
Please press our people in congress to stop the war in Afghanistan and work toward a diplomatic, instead of military, fix for the Al Qaeda. Help this country to rebuild and stand on their own. If world community´s unite in this common cause, against extremist violence and for peace, we can make the world a more peaceful and safe place for all! The time to act is NOW!
My new friend is a young man, born in 1979, who was originally educated under the Islamic religious madrassah´s which he tells me taught hate, ignorance, and extremism. He opted, against his family´s wishes, to become self educated. He speaks English, Pashtu, and Urdu and writes for the local press/internet in Kabul where he has a limited audience.
I promised him that if he helped me to understand what the people of Afghanistan want that I would put their hopes and dreams into words so the people of America can press our congressional representatives to work in that direction. He told me that the people of Afghanistan largely like what our troops presence has done for them as far as stability is concerned. They reject Al Qaeda and the violence they perpetuate. The people there live in constant fear that each day may be their last.
The people of Afghanistan require things that do not hinge on more devastation and death. They hope that their future will be bright and that more schools will be built. This young Afghan man tells me that all of the schools that have been built are filled to capacity and more children are waiting for their chance to get an education. They hope that their country will be rebuilt and not left in ruins. They hope their people will be safe and that they can join the world community in their fight against extremist acts of violence. The hope for a new economy not based on the poppy trade that bolsters Al Qaeda, but one that helps their people overcome poverty, have clean water to drink, to eat healthy and nutritional foods, that gives them a roof over their heads, and safety from violence, destruction, and death.
This young man tells me that in order for those changes to occur they need a new president who provides a new direction. He said that President Karzai is using state resources to bolster his position, peddle his influence, and perhaps even manipulate their elections. They do not want to be in the same position as the people of Iran are with regard to the scandalous election results, questionable recount and such. They want a chance for their voices to be heard and I am offering them such a platform.
Growing up in the United States as I did, and having not traveled to the Middle East, places me at a deficit in understanding just how awful it must be to live with the threat of violence and death each and every day. In today´s world we should almost never have to resort to war as means for resolving differing issues or beliefs. War should be the very last result, used only after one has exhausted all other avenues for resolution. I thank this young man for helping me to see what his people so desperately want and need! I also hope that they get their wish! Let peace reign supreme!
Please press our people in congress to stop the war in Afghanistan and work toward a diplomatic, instead of military, fix for the Al Qaeda. Help this country to rebuild and stand on their own. If world community´s unite in this common cause, against extremist violence and for peace, we can make the world a more peaceful and safe place for all! The time to act is NOW!
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