Afghan National Holiday

[Kochagasht]

September 9th marks the twelfth anniversary of the death of Afghan national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud who was murdered by Al-Qaeda. Massoud known to his admirers as the “Lion of Panjshir”, a name given to him for his success as a military commander during the war against Soviet occupation, is revered by many Afghans as a national hero whose murder just two days before 9/11 was intended to eliminate the resistance to the Taliban. A decade later, Massoud’s vision of respect for human rights, a government chosen by a real election and women participating in government is coming to fruition. Millions of children including girls go to school, access to healthcare has expanded, roads are being build, free elections are being held, and the transfer of full security responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces is ongoing. We join the Afghan nation in honoring the death anniversary of their national hero and extend our best wishes and continuous friendship and partnership as they celebrate this national holiday.

Aria2013
DET–US CENTCOM

the conditions for this so called holiday are pretty strictly observed according to pajhwok

[$hiva]

Children love people. I use to love Najibullah Ahmadzai as a kid.

But the thing is, there is a process called growing up, and then there is something called information, and finally there is such a a thing as concience and integrity.

All of these things have caused me to hate the person I use to consider a hero.

Apparently you still have to go through that process.

Because of Massoud, people have started to hate entire Tajik population of Afghanistan.

Al though many tajiks hate him as much as others do, still quite a large group among Tajiks idolize him.

Just like many ignorant and immoral Pashtuns worship Najibullah.

I was talking about the real Massoud and not the post-1992 Massoud, who turned out to be a real failure in every sense of the word.

[Aria2013]

Those who question Massoud being a national hero and September 9th being a national holiday...

September 9th is a national holiday in Afghanistan. In fact, “Martyr Week” was approved by the Lower House last year and September 9 was announced the official anniversary day of Ahmad Shah Massoud who was labeled a national martyr. Furthermore, it was President Karzai who declared Ahmad Shah Massoud a “National Hero” in 2002. Martyr Week including September 9th is a day to honor all those martyred for Afghanistan and according to Afghan law makers, it is in the national interest to continue marking the day as a national holiday.

To read more:

http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/6275-parliament-returns-massouds-name-to-sept-9-holiday

http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/11844-eve-of-massoud-anniversary-brings-reflection-on-role-of-women-martyrs-families

Aria