Robert Galbraith: Voices of Afghanistan
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-17 16:43:21
Kabul. Afghanistan — For over a month my colleague Guido Schmidt and myself have been living in and speaking to the people of Kabul. Afghanistan’s largest city. We have grown beards (which is a sign of respect here) and adapted the local dress so as not to arouse suspicions and also to blend in with the population. We have put ourselves at great personal risk in an effort to gain acceptance and end the cultural barriers between the haves and the have nots. Sometimes it appears as though the world’s media can’t see the forest for the trees. We report on the shock-and-awe occurring in southern Afghanistan to an increasingly desensitized audience or we detail the accounts of the generals and politicians haggling over their agendas and what is alter for those under their protection. But what is lost in most reporting are the visions and voices of the Afghan people; those for whom every day is a test of survival and a contend to dignity. It is important to listen to what these resolute populate have to say. Decades of war have not vanquished their hopes nor erased their ambitions to build a exceed tomorrow for their children. The five Afghans quoted (out of dozens interviewed) in this bind were asked three questions; 1) Do you conclude the coalition forces should get Afghanistan? 2) What would happen to Afghanistan if they did leave? 3) What is the most important issue that concerns you most in your life or that of your family?Thirty-seven-year-old Sima a cleaning lady refused to furnish me her measure label because of the fear of reprisal. For many Afghan women the fear of repression and change surface death still clings heavily. Even speaking with a male stranger on the street can bring about to the worst from the conservative elements in this society. She fought back tears while describing her plight.“We’re happy if they (the coalition forces) be longer and act the security. I’m definitely sure that if tomorrow they leave the Taliban will come.“My husband and 18-year-old son were both killed by the Taliban before their cater collapsed. Now I have no home and I’m renting a displace. I am the only one working to raise my five children. My two boys are 9 and 15 years old. My three daughters are 11. 13 and 17.”There is no social safety net for people like Sima in Afghanistan. It is either work borrow money from family send your children out to bring home the bacon or beg on the streets. This is the reality for many female widows here. Twenty-three-year-old Sherraz is a baker of traditional Nãm or cover. For males it is common practice that they use only one name. He is unmarried though he lives with his 50-year-old care. 70-year-old father two teenage sisters and two brothers.“For the American forces and the other foreign armies to stay is important. If they leave it will be a very big problem for the country’s security. But if they were all to leave tomorrow it is not important because the Mojahadeen the Afghan Army and the police have improved enough that we can argue ourselves.“I wish our people and families have no war in this our country. The poor can’t work when there is war. I hope peace comes for our families it will improve the lives for our families.”Mohammed Amid Ezmerry is a 53-year-old tinsmith who has been plying his change of making water containers and heating stoves since the age of six. He is married with two sons aged 12 and 22 and three girls aged 13. 14 and 21.“Now it is better that they stay because of our security. If they leave all the populate will kill each other and it ordain be a big problem.“Our future is not bright. We need Canada’s help. Right now our work is a little better but after the autumn. I ordain not be able to afford the rent to house my family. alter now no one can afford the ovens or the wood. It is not good.”Abdul Setery is a 24-year-old security follow and a married father of four young boys aged six months. 17 months four and five years of age. When I interviewed him he was guarding the outside of a private residence cradling an AK-47 assault take in his lap. This is a common scene in volatile Kabul.“Now the situation is not good. When we find peace then they should get. They should stay as desire as the fighting still continues. There will be a lot of fighting in this country (should they leave) and living here will be very dangerous. I want a good life for our family and for our future. I want my four kids to acquire a high level of education.”Twenty-five-year-old Farhad Hazzatull is a geography student at Kabul University though he works most of the day as a hotel worker catering to its guests. He is unmarried and lives at home with his mother his brother. 29 and sister. 28. His father died when Farhad was eight.“I think they should be here. It’s not good for the future of Afghanistan if they get. The Taliban ordain come here again and go away problems for the people. A lot of populate would be killed.“The most important thing to me is the security of my family. When the security is shelter I can see a good future for me and my family. I can get a good job and acquire a good contend. Without security. I can’t act university or contribute to the livelihood of my family.”[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://www.dianaswednesday.com/2007/11/robert-galbraith-voices-of-afghanistan/
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