New phenomena in present day Afghan society

Dr. Syed Nesar Ahmad Rumy :

A couple weeks back we saw a news and picture in the newspapers that shocked many of us who like music, songs and cultural activities.

It is very much unusual in the present day world that with the active nod from the state machinery some people belonged to the Taliban administration burnt musical instrument in some part of Afghanistan.

A particular nation, how it will run must be determined by the people of that land.

In this context, outsiders must not have any say if that authority administers that country with the proper consent of the people of that land.

But imposing muscle power and using religious sentiments/emotions one cannot administer a country long.

If the authority properly elected by the people then it is alright.

But after Taliban takeover we do not know the situation of people’s representation in the present day Afghanistan.

We know state is an organization where people from every community irrespective of creed, color, religion and beliefs can enjoy equal right within the parameter of that particular state.

State and religion are two different modules. If we mix up this two in one entity then many new problems will certainly arise.

And with snowballing effects that problem might turn severe form and ultimately it will create chorionic unsolvable problems in that particular country.

None can impose /press their beliefs and opinions to others. Every individual has the right to make his/her life fulfilled following their own beliefs and opinion.

But one thing is important that one should not cross their limit. He/she must respect the opinions of others.

And cannot pass any comment or impose anything which can hurt a particular community and people.

This is the modern concept of statehood.

Religions are so important in the human history that no one can deny it.

In the prehistoric time the human history of mankind was savage and out of civilized process.

But with the spreading of different religions mankind came to a system of regimentations and every corner of the society came under order.

This is a great success of different religions.

Religions are the major sources of law.

And that is now followed by different nations of the world.

So necessities of religious values, norms are also prevalent in the present day world.

None should undermine the religious values and norms.

What a non-believer think about religion is not that much important in the present day world but the important thing is that people get peace in their mind following norms and values of different religions.

In this 21st century world civilization stands on science, technology, literature, religious norms and values etc.

One can add many more things in this issue.

We all know that this world is totally interdependent.

A country cannot keep it aside bypassing the world community.

For the necessity and self-interests countries are involved in business, trade, education etc.

In this way all communities of the world are benefited, A couple weeks back Afghanistan exported packet/pouch pomegranate juice to the USA.

It came in the newspapers.

It was a very positive news for the people of Afghanistan and as well as world community.

It proves that in the present day world one needs to contact with the others for the survival and well-being of the people.

World is the home of people following different religions and some non-believers and as well as other creatures and plants existing in the world.

So, extreme point of no-return is not the right path to achieve peace and tranquility in the world.

The incident of burning musical instrument may not be acceptable to the many people in present-day Afghanistan.

From logical point of view it was the clear violation of human rights.

A person following what path of creativity and achieving peace of mind is completely his/her own matter.

None should interfere upon his/her beliefs.

This is universal norm.

After Taliban takeover in 2021Afghanistran is still in darkness.

We people beyond the Afghan territory know all this from world media.

Taliban administration does not allow music, musical functions in the Afghanistan.

Is not this act against the basic fundamental rights of Afghan people? People following their beliefs and creativities are their own matters.

Moreover, present Taliban authority is not an elected body.

Already two years passed but there is no sign or symptom holding of general election in Afghanistan.

How long they will administer the country without popular people’s representation is still unclear.

Without proper people’s representation in the administrations things will not change much.

The activities done by present Afghan authority shows that it is not answerable to the people or any institution.

It seems, more or less the situation prevailing in Afghanistan is like the era of Middle Ages of the history.

It is as like as occupying a country and rule the occupied land by victor’s muscle power and not by the people’s consent.

21st century is the era of liberal democracy.

People, all over the world try for liberalism and democracy.

It seems in such environment the acts of present Afghan authority are not conforming to the hope and aspiration of the people.

The world community should stress the need of basic human rights in Afghanistan.

Rule of law and equal treatment of all the people are now demand of the time.

The world is going forward with the development of science and technology.

In these phenomena people all over the world should raise their voice to uphold the basic rights of Afghan people.

At the same time the United States should release the Afghan foreign currency fund immediately so that the people of Afghanistan can buy their basic necessities using that money.

World community wants to see Afghanistan a country where people can exercise basic rights of creativity.

Hope that will be achieved one day.

(The writer is a former civil servant).