Peace
Zahed Missed His Garden All These Years
Zahed is a forty something years old Afghan-German who lives in Germany with his family. He’s lived there for over two decades now. About two and a half weeks ago, he came back to Afghanistan to visit his hometown in Surkhrod area of Nangarhar Province. He missed his relatives and friends and his garden. He had a beautiful garden near his Qalla or village house where he used to sleep under the shade of its trees in some peace and…
Are You from This Country
Not a lot of people in Afghanistan know where Cambodia is as many people in Cambodia don’t know where Afghanistan is located. I was in Cambodia for a month and people would ask me where I was from. I would answer “Afghanistan”. Most of the people would ask “No, what is the name of your country?” Well, that is the name of my country. They thought it was a small village in some country. I was riding in a tuk…
Afghan Security Forces to Be Reduced after 2014
Afghan Defense Minister, Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said on Tuesday that the Afghan security forces (ANSF) will likely be reduced from its peak strength of 352000 to 230000 after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014. This will be a significant reduction in the Afghan National Security Forces. Now, some might argue that these 122000 personnel will be unemployed. No, they will not. The question is who will continue employing them beyond 2014? The Taliban is longing for an opportunity…
From Missouri to Nangarhar
Video credit: AFAfghan Missouri Agriculture Development Team has helped farmers in Kama districts and equipped some of them with advanced tools of farming. They’ve also taught new approaches of farming and how to harvest more healthy crops.
Pul-e-Jawan: A Regional Peace-building Team
Pul-e-Jawan, which literally means “bridges of youth” in Dari, Urdu and Hindi, is a group of regional peace building and active youth from Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. In September 2011, Internews, Afghanistan took initiative and invited five citizen journalists with an interest in peace and reconciliation issues from each of the above countries (a total of fifteen people) to meet in Kabul. The aim of Pul-e-Jawan is to provide an exchange for the youth and to bridge any gaps and issues…
Support Afghan Female Boxers Fighting their Way to London Olympics
In the basement of once notorious Ghazi National Olympic Stadium of Afghanistan is where the Afghan national team of female boxers train tirelessly hard for the Olympics 2012 in London. Once known as the stadium of death the venue was used for holding public executions and stoning under the brutal Taliban rule, 1996 to 2001. Under the Taliban women were completely forbidden from participating in any sports, not even as spectators. Refurbished by the US government, Ghazi Olympic Stadium reopened…
No, There Is only One God!
When I was taking this picture I raised my index and middle finger and parted them asking the gentlemen to make peace gesture. The senior man in the back shouted, “No, there is only ONE God!” “There are not two Gods”, he added. I almost got into a big trouble. They probably thought I was trying to convert them or something. It was in my own city of Jalalabad but these folks seemed alien. Some people in Jalalabad know what…
Malala Was Inspired by Her Great Leaders
Malala is a 14-year-old courageous Pakistani who has challenged the local Taliban that she’d do the opposite of what they’re doing. They destroy schools and Malala who was inspired by her great leaders, will spread education in Pakistan by setting up Malala Education Foundation. Read the multiple prizes winner’s inspiring story here.
Our Journey to Smile
Ali, Faiz and Abdulai are three young and energetic Afghan peace volunteers. They are taking their journey in India this time under, “What would Ghandhi say to Afghan youth today?” Read what the three youngsters experienced for the first time in life: First time on plane First time above clouds First time having pineapples First time on elevator, travelator First time using standing urinal and automatic sink-tap First time in a big city that’s green ( Delhi ) Read full story here.
From Afghanistan to Cambodia
Today, I met with a special group of young citizen journalists and bloggers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At this 4 hours event we discussed Online Freedom of Expression in Cambodian. I shared my experiences about blogging and the use of social media in Afghanistan and the problems and obstacles that we are facing in this area. Digital media collective forum features my talk. More details about the event here.