Western analysts believe that since Afghanistan has not been stable after nine years of NATO presence, therefore, what is needed is the partitioning of Afghanistan. However, Robert Blackwill proposes the implementation of an old solution, the creation of a new state, Pashtunistan
The debate about the dismemberment or de facto partition of Afghanistan has intensified in intellectual and media forums in both Asia and Europe. During the past two decades, ethnic cleansing and sectarian terrorism has prepared the ground for a future civil war in the country. Ethnic clashes between Kochis and Hazaras, among Uzbeks, Pashtuns and Tajiks still continued while sexual harassment, abduction, land-grabbing and mental torture of Pashtuns is on the rise in the northern provinces of Afghanistan. National unity and national integration has become an old story. Based on these facts, Afghanistan is a failed state, a state without political control and economic progress.
The present state structure that cannot protect the weak and vulnerable citizens in Afghanistan needs to be either reorganised or entirely changed to create ethnic, political and religious concordance. All ethnic minorities have complaints against the present structure of the state, which cannot meet their needs and cannot protect them from violence. As there is no legitimate functioning state in the country, non-state actors have become a dominant power that run illegal trade in all provinces. The last two decades of civil war entirely destroyed Afghanistan as a functioning state. In the 1980s, mujahideen groups destroyed infrastructure. In the 1990s, the Taliban made their way to power and destroyed all institutions. Now warlords in northern Afghanistan are deeply involved in ethnic cleansing.
The power of the warlords, their private military networks and their private security firms present the biggest challenge to the country’s rehabilitation as a functioning state. War criminals are trying to maintain their criminal militias and keep the state weak. They and their western partners have bypassed the Afghan state. Brutalities against Pashtuns in the north and the targeting of Hazaras in the south are a greater challenge for both the Afghan government and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Over the last 10 years, the Hazarajat region saw a series of reprisal killings. In 1997 alone, the Taliban killed over 6,000 Hazara Muslims in retaliation for the execution of thousands of Taliban prisoners in northern Afghanistan.
However, warlords belonging to the Hazara and Uzbek communities attack the houses of Pashtuns at night, and humiliate their women and elders. These war criminals looted, raped and killed over 60,000 innocent men and women in Kabul in the 1990s. With the coming of ISAF led by the US, warlords got the license of more killings across the country. Kochis kill Hazaras in the south, Hazara and Uzbek are killing Pashtuns in the north, and Taliban have been killing all ethnic groups across Afghanistan for the last 10 years.
Consequently, thousands of Hazaras from the Hazarajat region and thousands of Pashtuns from Balkh, Faryab and Kunduz provinces fled their villages. Armed political groups in the north are subjecting Pashtuns to murder, rape, beating, abduction and extortion. The state is not able to rehabilitate the internally displaced refugees returned from Pakistan and Iran. If we go into the last five decades’ internal displacement history of the country, we will find more stories about different displacements having occurred at different times. At present, more than 500,000 Afghans are internally displaced and one million are still living in refugee camps in Pakistan and Iran. They lost their houses and there is no housing industry in the country to help re-house the returnees. From 2005-2010, thousands of refugees returned from Pakistan, but war, torture, severity of drought and harassment forced them to go back. As they are illiterate and unskilled, they can make no contribution to Pakistan’s institutions.
At present, there is no national concord, no critical infrastructure — water, health, education, employment, security, food, housing, etc. They see no change in their life after the Soviet withdrawal and US invasion. The Afghan nation is scattered into pieces. The Hazaras of Bamyan, Wardak and Daykundi are different from the Pashtuns of the south in culture, language and religious orientation. They can be compared to the Kurds in Iraq. The same can be seen in the Tajiks of Badakhshan and the Pashtuns of Kandahar. The Tajiks are spread from the border of Tajikistan to Kabul and from Badakhshan to Herat. They believe that all their problems are due to the Pashtun misgovernance and their past 350-year brutal rule. Nationalistic notions are stronger among the Tajiks today. As we have experienced in the case of the education ministry in 2007, Persian-speaking communities are more attached to Iran and Tajikistan culturally and linguistically. Their political and sectarian affiliations to these states caused more problems in the country.
The last two decades of civil war have accumulated all the elements of ethnicity and religious extremism. This war encompasses two rival groups and their struggles: one is the Taliban and their resolve for dominance; and the other is the Hazaras, Tajiks and Uzbeks who seek identity and equal representation. They say they are not Afghan, but Tajik, Uzbek and Turkmen. The word Afghan, they say, means Pashtun. Moreover, major ethnic groups in Afghanistan are competing for power. As there is no national concord in the country, in the words of former US Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Blackwill, Afghanistan should be allowed to partition along ethnic lines.
Western analysts believe that since Afghanistan has not been stable after nine years of NATO presence, therefore, what is needed is the partitioning of Afghanistan. However, Robert Blackwill proposes the implementation of an old solution, the creation of a new state, Pashtunistan. “This solution would prevent civil war in Pakistan and solidify the government’s authority and in Afghanistan the loss of the eastern part of the nation would allow for real reconstruction to begin,” he said. Political analysts believe that, being already divided on linguistic lines, Afghanistan appears to be moving towards a permanent dismemberment.
They believe that the process of partition began before the arrival of Taliban on the political scene. Afghan ethnic minorities apparently have no fear of their fellow Tajiks and Uzbeks living across the border. Minorities who dominate the northern provinces opened routes towards Central Asia, imported electricity and gas and created political links with the states of Central Asia and Iran. But they will not be allowed to settle there. Over 90 percent of young people in northern Afghanistan are illiterate, suffering from HIV/AIDS or drug addiction. The Taliban infiltration into Central Asia and their operations in Chechnya and Ingushetia can divert the attention of Russia towards a new buffer state that will divide Afghanistan on ethnic lines.
The writer, author of Britain’s National Security Challenges, is based in London and can be reached at zai.musakhan222@gmail.com
Source,
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C19%5Cstory_19-1-2011_pg3_4
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Life is getting better for oppressed Afghans
Steven Glass, a lawyer for Hazara asylum seekers (”One man’s struggle to find a safe place to live”, December 29), writes that many Afghans consider the Hazara ”foreigners” and ”infidels”. That may be so, but the statement belies the considerable improvement in the condition of the Hazara minority in post-Taliban Afghanistan.
For the first time in Afghanistan’s history, the 2004 constitution gives the courts the right to apply Shia jurisprudence in family matters involving Shia Muslims. As the largest group of Shia in Afghanistan, the Hazara consider this a major victory.
A Shia personal status law was adopted in 2009. Although some regarded it as an excessive codification of family matters, all Shia MPs supported it as a recognition of minority rights.
An area populated by Hazara was declared a new province in 2004 (Daikundi in the central region, adjacent to Bamiyan, the other main Hazara province).
During the last elections the Hazara won 59 of 249 seats in the lower house. This is quite an achievement for a minority estimated to constitute 10 per cent of the population.
Individual Hazara have held, or are holding, high political office. One of the country’s two vice-presidents is a Hazara, and so was the minister for justice from 2004 until last June. The head of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission since it was established in 2002 is also a Hazara.
Legal and institutional recognition does not always translate into practice. Like all Afghans, the Hazara live in a country racked by violence, uncertainty and corruption. However, the Hazara have become politically more assertive, are moving into higher education in what appears to be unprecedented numbers, and, in Kabul, many have entered the new middle class that has
developed around the international presence.
Astri Suhrke Associate, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, ANU, Canberra
Source:
http://criminologycareers.net/dealing-with-loss-faces-new-test
For the first time in Afghanistan’s history, the 2004 constitution gives the courts the right to apply Shia jurisprudence in family matters involving Shia Muslims. As the largest group of Shia in Afghanistan, the Hazara consider this a major victory.
A Shia personal status law was adopted in 2009. Although some regarded it as an excessive codification of family matters, all Shia MPs supported it as a recognition of minority rights.
An area populated by Hazara was declared a new province in 2004 (Daikundi in the central region, adjacent to Bamiyan, the other main Hazara province).
During the last elections the Hazara won 59 of 249 seats in the lower house. This is quite an achievement for a minority estimated to constitute 10 per cent of the population.
Individual Hazara have held, or are holding, high political office. One of the country’s two vice-presidents is a Hazara, and so was the minister for justice from 2004 until last June. The head of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission since it was established in 2002 is also a Hazara.
Legal and institutional recognition does not always translate into practice. Like all Afghans, the Hazara live in a country racked by violence, uncertainty and corruption. However, the Hazara have become politically more assertive, are moving into higher education in what appears to be unprecedented numbers, and, in Kabul, many have entered the new middle class that has
developed around the international presence.
Astri Suhrke Associate, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, ANU, Canberra
Source:
http://criminologycareers.net/dealing-with-loss-faces-new-test
Thousands of Afghan asylum seekers face deportation
YUKO NARUSHIMA IMMIGRATION CORRESPONDENT
18 Jan, 2011 03:00 AM
AUSTRALIA has the green light to deport thousands of Afghan asylum seekers after reaching a historic agreement with the Afghan government.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Afghan Refugee Minister, Jamaher Anwary, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Sydney yesterday.
It enables the forced return of Afghans whose bids for asylum fail. The move is alarming security experts and refugee advocates.
Mr Bowen said it would deter Afghans considering travelling to Australia. ''Never, all through the Howard years, never before today, has there been an involuntary return from Australia to Afghanistan,'' he said.
''To dissuade people from risking their lives by joining people-smuggling ventures, it is important that Afghans found not to be owed protection by Australia are returned to Afghanistan."
About 2600 Afghans are in Australia's detention centres. Of those, 49 must win court appeals to avoid imminent deportation.
The opposition was sceptical about the agreement, saying it was only as good as the government's will to enforce it. ''The minister is unable to say when anyone is going to be returned,'' said its immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison. ''It's not clear to me the government has the resolve to implement this.''
In three years, only three asylum seekers have been returned to Afghanistan - all last year after volunteering to go. In 2008 and 2009, 126 people were returned to their countries of origin.
The director of the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University, William Maley, warned that ethnic Hazaras, in particular, should not be deported without extreme caution. ''The security situation in Afghanistan is extremely unsettling,'' he said.
He cast doubt on the security expertise of Australian officials making refugee assessments.
The decapitation of 11 Hazaras in Oruzgan province in June contradicted a cable from the Kabul embassy proclaiming a ''golden age'' for Hazaras, he said.
The Refugee Council of Australia was concerned by the lack of safeguards the memorandum provided for returned asylum seekers. ''In Afghanistan, people are not so much under threat from actions by government but the actions of people who the government cannot, or chooses not to, control,'' said the chief executive, Paul Power.
The Australian government has promised money to help Afghanistan improve its passport system and accommodation for returned asylum seekers. The UN has agreed to ad hoc monitoring.
source;
http://www.coomaexpress.com.au/news/national/national/general/thousands-of-afghan-asylum-seekers-face-deportation/2049852.aspx
18 Jan, 2011 03:00 AM
AUSTRALIA has the green light to deport thousands of Afghan asylum seekers after reaching a historic agreement with the Afghan government.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Afghan Refugee Minister, Jamaher Anwary, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Sydney yesterday.
It enables the forced return of Afghans whose bids for asylum fail. The move is alarming security experts and refugee advocates.
Mr Bowen said it would deter Afghans considering travelling to Australia. ''Never, all through the Howard years, never before today, has there been an involuntary return from Australia to Afghanistan,'' he said.
''To dissuade people from risking their lives by joining people-smuggling ventures, it is important that Afghans found not to be owed protection by Australia are returned to Afghanistan."
About 2600 Afghans are in Australia's detention centres. Of those, 49 must win court appeals to avoid imminent deportation.
The opposition was sceptical about the agreement, saying it was only as good as the government's will to enforce it. ''The minister is unable to say when anyone is going to be returned,'' said its immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison. ''It's not clear to me the government has the resolve to implement this.''
In three years, only three asylum seekers have been returned to Afghanistan - all last year after volunteering to go. In 2008 and 2009, 126 people were returned to their countries of origin.
The director of the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University, William Maley, warned that ethnic Hazaras, in particular, should not be deported without extreme caution. ''The security situation in Afghanistan is extremely unsettling,'' he said.
He cast doubt on the security expertise of Australian officials making refugee assessments.
The decapitation of 11 Hazaras in Oruzgan province in June contradicted a cable from the Kabul embassy proclaiming a ''golden age'' for Hazaras, he said.
The Refugee Council of Australia was concerned by the lack of safeguards the memorandum provided for returned asylum seekers. ''In Afghanistan, people are not so much under threat from actions by government but the actions of people who the government cannot, or chooses not to, control,'' said the chief executive, Paul Power.
The Australian government has promised money to help Afghanistan improve its passport system and accommodation for returned asylum seekers. The UN has agreed to ad hoc monitoring.
source;
http://www.coomaexpress.com.au/news/national/national/general/thousands-of-afghan-asylum-seekers-face-deportation/2049852.aspx
Deeper Into Fathomless Afghanistan
January 18, 2011, 5:00 am
By MICHAEL KAMBER
Afghanistan still feels utterly new and fantastically complex. The dynamics, geography and people are completely different from Iraq, different really than anywhere I’ve ever been. As I spend more time here, I feel the war becoming more intricate, more complicated. Some of what is attributed to the Taliban is simply Afghan culture. Much of the war in Afghanistan is a war with the Pashtun tribes on both sides of the Af-Pak border. Yet there are other non-Pashtun groups fighting us all over the country — groups that are lumped together as Taliban when, in fact, they have nothing in common save for an antipathy towards coalition forces.
•
In early December, Alissa J. Rubin, The Times’s bureau chief in Kabul, takes me along on a visit to meet with the public affairs team at the International Security Assistance Force. I’m skeptical at first, but they turn out to be a smart, slightly ironic bunch who are tremendously helpful in getting us to where we want to go and furnishing us with updates. There is little of the mutual distrust I felt between the press and the military in Iraq. Weeks later, though, a high-ranking officer will call to complain about my written coverage: a quote from a Taliban spokesman has particularly incensed him.
•
Michael Kamber
Photographers at War
Interviews with:
Teru Kuwayama
Joao Silva
Stanley Greene
Tim Hetherington
Patrick Baz
Alissa and I take a day trip up to the Panjshir Valley, home of the legendary Ahmed Shah Massoud, the Afghan commander who fought the Russians to a standstill for a decade, then later led the Northern Alliance against the Taliban. The Panjshir is extraordinarily beautiful: clear mountain streams and green rolling valleys. You can still see Russian markings on the destroyed armored personnel carriers that litter the roadside.
Massoud read Mao and Che Guevara, and was once offered a scholarship to study in France. I expect to find the Panjshiri women “liberated.” (I had an argument with a close relative in New York before I left. “We’re liberating the women from the Taliban,” she had said.) In the Panjshir, a bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment, it quickly becomes clear that the Taliban are not the only impediment to women’s liberation.
The Panjshiris will not let me enter the village where I want to work; there are women in the village and I cannot lay eyes on them. I set my camera to auto and give it to our female translator. I go with the driver to the local kebab house. There are probably 100 men inside in the sweet smoky room, not a woman in sight. Outside, the women navigate the road in burkas down to their ankles.
A Panjshiri man tells me: “The Russians were terrible. They came into my house with guns in the middle of the night, in front of my wife!” I think back to the night raids in Logar that I photographed in 2009, the women and children led out into the pasture as the men were handcuffed and led away.
•
A friend in Ivory Coast e-mails me: the ultranationalist government, refusing to relinquish power after losing the election, is once again blaming the foreign press for its troubles. They have put photos of the journalists on state-run TV, a potential death sentence in this climate. The Ivorians have killed at least two foreign journalists in recent years. Many of the journalists have gone into hiding. Long distance, we worry for one another’s safety.
•
In Ghazni Province in mid-December, the Third Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne is in a daily fight with the Taliban. The soldiers have suffered 25 percent casualties since September. In the Hazara part of their district, there has never been a single attack upon them. In the Pashtun half, they are attacked as often as several times a day. Out of 100,000 Pashtun residents, exactly three voted in September’s parliamentary election. The Hazaras voted, and now control all the parliamentary seats for the province.
I pull on my flak jacket. The steel and ceramic cocoon offers an odd reassurance. We climb into massive, heavily armored vehicles. That which keeps us safe also separates us from the population.
Beside me, an Afghan, clearly an interpreter, introduces himself in accented English as Bob.
“What’s your real name?” I ask him.
“My name’s Omid. But on the first day at this job, the sergeant asked me my ‘terp’ name. I told him: ‘I don’t have a terp name. My name is Omid.’
” ‘Omid is too complicated for us to remember,’ he told me. ‘From now on, your name is Bob.’ ”
Michael Kamber for The New York Times
Dec. 16: Members of Bravo Company on a humanitarian assistance patrol in Ghazni Province distributed crank-powered radios, books, candy and drinks.
•
For most of the day, I watch and photograph as the Americans crawl in armored vehicles through fields in search of insurgents zipping about on motorcycles; as impoverished villagers step from their adobe homes to gape at the millions of dollars in American hardware bogged in their narrow mud lanes; as 19-year-old soldiers — abroad for the first time in their lives — swarm ancient compounds, finding bomb-making materials in haystacks and interrogating white-bearded Afghan elders.
It is an astonishing spectacle, bordering on the surreal at times. It is the very front line of the war in Afghanistan. A man in a turban drives by on a motorbike; his wife or daughter, draped in a baby-blue burka, sitting sidesaddle on the back.
“It’s like we are on the moon,” a soldier says. “Is there any place in the world more completely opposite to where we come from?”
That night, a sergeant is telling a story about talking to local villagers.
“I told the guy: ‘You think this is nice? This ain’t nothing! Where I live, I drive my car up to my house, press a magic button and a door opens up in the side of my house. I drive my car inside. Where I live, even my car has its own room! If you would just stop shooting at us, you could have that, too.’ ”
•
A few days later, at an Afghan government press conference, officials take the opportunity to press repeatedly for more economic aid and development from the West. An Afghan journalist turns to me with a laugh. “The U.S. is a big milky cow. We just milk it and milk it and milk it.”
•
In the middle of a January night, I’m standing in a wooden shack on an air base in Helmand, trying to get on a flight to remote Sangin District, where the fighting is heavy. The door opens and a face peers around the corner at me. It is Teru Kuwayama, another photojournalist. The last time I saw him, we were drinking beer on a warm Brooklyn night and arguing about the role of the media.
We embrace and talk for an hour or so in the darkness. Then I board a plane and fly off into the night. Teru will take a flight the next morning in another direction.
Source:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/deeper-into-fathomless-afghanistan/?partner=rss&emc=rss
By MICHAEL KAMBER
Afghanistan still feels utterly new and fantastically complex. The dynamics, geography and people are completely different from Iraq, different really than anywhere I’ve ever been. As I spend more time here, I feel the war becoming more intricate, more complicated. Some of what is attributed to the Taliban is simply Afghan culture. Much of the war in Afghanistan is a war with the Pashtun tribes on both sides of the Af-Pak border. Yet there are other non-Pashtun groups fighting us all over the country — groups that are lumped together as Taliban when, in fact, they have nothing in common save for an antipathy towards coalition forces.
•
In early December, Alissa J. Rubin, The Times’s bureau chief in Kabul, takes me along on a visit to meet with the public affairs team at the International Security Assistance Force. I’m skeptical at first, but they turn out to be a smart, slightly ironic bunch who are tremendously helpful in getting us to where we want to go and furnishing us with updates. There is little of the mutual distrust I felt between the press and the military in Iraq. Weeks later, though, a high-ranking officer will call to complain about my written coverage: a quote from a Taliban spokesman has particularly incensed him.
•
Michael Kamber
Photographers at War
Interviews with:
Teru Kuwayama
Joao Silva
Stanley Greene
Tim Hetherington
Patrick Baz
Alissa and I take a day trip up to the Panjshir Valley, home of the legendary Ahmed Shah Massoud, the Afghan commander who fought the Russians to a standstill for a decade, then later led the Northern Alliance against the Taliban. The Panjshir is extraordinarily beautiful: clear mountain streams and green rolling valleys. You can still see Russian markings on the destroyed armored personnel carriers that litter the roadside.
Massoud read Mao and Che Guevara, and was once offered a scholarship to study in France. I expect to find the Panjshiri women “liberated.” (I had an argument with a close relative in New York before I left. “We’re liberating the women from the Taliban,” she had said.) In the Panjshir, a bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment, it quickly becomes clear that the Taliban are not the only impediment to women’s liberation.
The Panjshiris will not let me enter the village where I want to work; there are women in the village and I cannot lay eyes on them. I set my camera to auto and give it to our female translator. I go with the driver to the local kebab house. There are probably 100 men inside in the sweet smoky room, not a woman in sight. Outside, the women navigate the road in burkas down to their ankles.
A Panjshiri man tells me: “The Russians were terrible. They came into my house with guns in the middle of the night, in front of my wife!” I think back to the night raids in Logar that I photographed in 2009, the women and children led out into the pasture as the men were handcuffed and led away.
•
A friend in Ivory Coast e-mails me: the ultranationalist government, refusing to relinquish power after losing the election, is once again blaming the foreign press for its troubles. They have put photos of the journalists on state-run TV, a potential death sentence in this climate. The Ivorians have killed at least two foreign journalists in recent years. Many of the journalists have gone into hiding. Long distance, we worry for one another’s safety.
•
In Ghazni Province in mid-December, the Third Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne is in a daily fight with the Taliban. The soldiers have suffered 25 percent casualties since September. In the Hazara part of their district, there has never been a single attack upon them. In the Pashtun half, they are attacked as often as several times a day. Out of 100,000 Pashtun residents, exactly three voted in September’s parliamentary election. The Hazaras voted, and now control all the parliamentary seats for the province.
I pull on my flak jacket. The steel and ceramic cocoon offers an odd reassurance. We climb into massive, heavily armored vehicles. That which keeps us safe also separates us from the population.
Beside me, an Afghan, clearly an interpreter, introduces himself in accented English as Bob.
“What’s your real name?” I ask him.
“My name’s Omid. But on the first day at this job, the sergeant asked me my ‘terp’ name. I told him: ‘I don’t have a terp name. My name is Omid.’
” ‘Omid is too complicated for us to remember,’ he told me. ‘From now on, your name is Bob.’ ”
Michael Kamber for The New York Times
Dec. 16: Members of Bravo Company on a humanitarian assistance patrol in Ghazni Province distributed crank-powered radios, books, candy and drinks.
•
For most of the day, I watch and photograph as the Americans crawl in armored vehicles through fields in search of insurgents zipping about on motorcycles; as impoverished villagers step from their adobe homes to gape at the millions of dollars in American hardware bogged in their narrow mud lanes; as 19-year-old soldiers — abroad for the first time in their lives — swarm ancient compounds, finding bomb-making materials in haystacks and interrogating white-bearded Afghan elders.
It is an astonishing spectacle, bordering on the surreal at times. It is the very front line of the war in Afghanistan. A man in a turban drives by on a motorbike; his wife or daughter, draped in a baby-blue burka, sitting sidesaddle on the back.
“It’s like we are on the moon,” a soldier says. “Is there any place in the world more completely opposite to where we come from?”
That night, a sergeant is telling a story about talking to local villagers.
“I told the guy: ‘You think this is nice? This ain’t nothing! Where I live, I drive my car up to my house, press a magic button and a door opens up in the side of my house. I drive my car inside. Where I live, even my car has its own room! If you would just stop shooting at us, you could have that, too.’ ”
•
A few days later, at an Afghan government press conference, officials take the opportunity to press repeatedly for more economic aid and development from the West. An Afghan journalist turns to me with a laugh. “The U.S. is a big milky cow. We just milk it and milk it and milk it.”
•
In the middle of a January night, I’m standing in a wooden shack on an air base in Helmand, trying to get on a flight to remote Sangin District, where the fighting is heavy. The door opens and a face peers around the corner at me. It is Teru Kuwayama, another photojournalist. The last time I saw him, we were drinking beer on a warm Brooklyn night and arguing about the role of the media.
We embrace and talk for an hour or so in the darkness. Then I board a plane and fly off into the night. Teru will take a flight the next morning in another direction.
Source:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/deeper-into-fathomless-afghanistan/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Monday, January 17, 2011
Australia signs asylum seeker agreement with Afghanistan
Elizabeth Byrne, Canberra
Last Updated: 21 hours 49 minutes ago
Concerns have been raised that a new agreement between Australia and Afghanistan to return failed asylum seekers could expose some individuals to danger.
The Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the agreement will mean failed asylum seekers can be returned involuntarily.
"People who are not genuine refugees will be returned to Afghanistan with dignity and humanity, but they will be returned," he said.
But Professor William Maley from the ANU says Afghanistan is still not a safe place particularly for Hazaras, with several recent beheadings.
He says a safe return depends on a robust assessment process.
"If those processes are feeble, if those processes are defective in any way, the danger is that those people will be exposed to this kind of risk," he said.
The government says there are about 50 failed Afghan asylum seekers in detention.
But a recent High Court ruling has given them access to court appeals.
Source,
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201101/3114795.htm?desktop
Last Updated: 21 hours 49 minutes ago
Concerns have been raised that a new agreement between Australia and Afghanistan to return failed asylum seekers could expose some individuals to danger.
The Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the agreement will mean failed asylum seekers can be returned involuntarily.
"People who are not genuine refugees will be returned to Afghanistan with dignity and humanity, but they will be returned," he said.
But Professor William Maley from the ANU says Afghanistan is still not a safe place particularly for Hazaras, with several recent beheadings.
He says a safe return depends on a robust assessment process.
"If those processes are feeble, if those processes are defective in any way, the danger is that those people will be exposed to this kind of risk," he said.
The government says there are about 50 failed Afghan asylum seekers in detention.
But a recent High Court ruling has given them access to court appeals.
Source,
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201101/3114795.htm?desktop
Australia, Afghan refugee forced return deal
Updated January 17, 2011 21:47:27
A new agreement between Australia and Afghanistan paves the way for the first forced return of Afghans who are deemed not to be refugees. And if that happens, they are likely to be from the persecuted Hazara minority because they form the majority of Afghan arrivals in Australia. Australia claims Afghanistan is now safer for Hazara people. But analysts say Australia's refugee determination process is based on poor information and that is dramatically underplaying the dangers and potentially exposing forced returnees to unacceptable risks.
Presenter: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent
Speakers: Jamaher Amwary, Afghan refugee and repatriation minister; Chris Bowen, Australian immigration minister; Professor William Maley, director, Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University; Younus Noori, Hazara refugee and social worker, Australia
MOTTRAM: Jamaher Amwary is Afghanistan's minister for Refugees and Repatriation. A big job, since his country has more refugees than any other.
AMWARY: (speaking in Pashto)
MOTTRAM: But at the signing in Sydney on Monday of the new memorandum of understanding between his country and Australia, Dr Amwary pledged that with Australia's help, Afghanistan would work to stop the people smuggler traffic and boats destined for Australia that have so agitated Australia's political debate.
For Australia, the immigration minister, Chris Bowen, signed the memorandum and stressed that Afghanistan's agreement to accept forced returns would send a message to the people smugglers.
BOWEN: No longer will people smugglers be able to tell people that even if they are not regarded as a genuine refugee, there is no mechanism for the Australian government to return them to Afghanistan. That is no longer the case. This is a sustainable and robust approach, which treats people with dignity but makes it clear that the end result of not being regarded as a refugee [...] is return to Afghanistan.
MOTTRAM: Australia for its part will provide limited reintegration assistance to returnees and also help improve Afghan government services like the country's corrupted passport system.
Lending its weight to the deal, the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, also signed on.
Expert on refugees and on Afghanistan, Professor William Maley of the Australian National University, says the memorandum does have some important provisions.
MALEY: One is that it requires that cases be assessed not simply in terms of refugee convention obligation of protection but also against instruments such as the convention against torture as well as against compelling humanitarian need.
MOTTRAM: That means better prospects to have cases approved, especially for about 200 unaccompanied Afghan children who are currently in Australian detention. In addition, a recent court victory in Australia has required that all asylum seekers get access to judicial review.
But it's less the new memorandum and more the Australian government's processes for assessing refugee claims in the first place that concerns Professor Maley.
MALEY: That's partly because the government has had to pull in all sorts of people with relatively minimum training in recent times to undertake assessments and one wonders whether the people who are doing these kinds of assessments really have a good smell and feel of what the situation on the ground in Afghanistan is like.
MOTTRAM: Not only are those officers ill equipped for their task - as rejection rates for Afghans grow - they are, Professor Maley says, labouring under a questionable Australian claim that security has improved in Afghanistan, especially for the persecuted minority Hazaras, who make up most of the Afghan refugee claimants in Australia.
And just last year Professor Maley says there was particularly gruesome evidence of that.
MALEY: Eleven Hazaras in June 2010 were decapitated in the province of Oruzgan, where Australian troops are deployed, and their bodies were left by the roadside and those who are making decisions in cases of this sort need to think very carefully about whether they would even possibly be exposing somebody to the risk of that kind of treatment.
MOTTRAM: Ethnic Hazara, Younus Noori, made the dangerous boat journey to Australia from Indonesia in 2000, fleeing the Taliban's threats. Eventually granted asylum in Australia, he now works, studies and raises his family in Adelaide. He can barely describe how dangerous his journey was, but during a visit to Canberra said the dangers still facing Hazaras were so much greater that nothing would stop them taking the trip.
NOORI: This is the most difficult and the most horrible journey that you can ever feel coming to Australia by boat. But the problem is that when the people are inside like a kind of a burning house, whenever they see a hole, they hope that they can go through and get out of that and they will try to use that.
MOTTRAM: Australia claims no one will be returned to face persecution. And with 49 of the 2600 Afghans currently in Australian detention having had their cases rejected at two reviews, Chris Bowen, the minister, says forced returns could come within the year. But with the international community advocating a deal with the Taliban as part of a political settlement in Afghanistan, Hazaras fear they are facing the prospect of much more - not less - persecution.
Source,
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201101/s3114979.htm
A new agreement between Australia and Afghanistan paves the way for the first forced return of Afghans who are deemed not to be refugees. And if that happens, they are likely to be from the persecuted Hazara minority because they form the majority of Afghan arrivals in Australia. Australia claims Afghanistan is now safer for Hazara people. But analysts say Australia's refugee determination process is based on poor information and that is dramatically underplaying the dangers and potentially exposing forced returnees to unacceptable risks.
Presenter: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent
Speakers: Jamaher Amwary, Afghan refugee and repatriation minister; Chris Bowen, Australian immigration minister; Professor William Maley, director, Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University; Younus Noori, Hazara refugee and social worker, Australia
MOTTRAM: Jamaher Amwary is Afghanistan's minister for Refugees and Repatriation. A big job, since his country has more refugees than any other.
AMWARY: (speaking in Pashto)
MOTTRAM: But at the signing in Sydney on Monday of the new memorandum of understanding between his country and Australia, Dr Amwary pledged that with Australia's help, Afghanistan would work to stop the people smuggler traffic and boats destined for Australia that have so agitated Australia's political debate.
For Australia, the immigration minister, Chris Bowen, signed the memorandum and stressed that Afghanistan's agreement to accept forced returns would send a message to the people smugglers.
BOWEN: No longer will people smugglers be able to tell people that even if they are not regarded as a genuine refugee, there is no mechanism for the Australian government to return them to Afghanistan. That is no longer the case. This is a sustainable and robust approach, which treats people with dignity but makes it clear that the end result of not being regarded as a refugee [...] is return to Afghanistan.
MOTTRAM: Australia for its part will provide limited reintegration assistance to returnees and also help improve Afghan government services like the country's corrupted passport system.
Lending its weight to the deal, the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, also signed on.
Expert on refugees and on Afghanistan, Professor William Maley of the Australian National University, says the memorandum does have some important provisions.
MALEY: One is that it requires that cases be assessed not simply in terms of refugee convention obligation of protection but also against instruments such as the convention against torture as well as against compelling humanitarian need.
MOTTRAM: That means better prospects to have cases approved, especially for about 200 unaccompanied Afghan children who are currently in Australian detention. In addition, a recent court victory in Australia has required that all asylum seekers get access to judicial review.
But it's less the new memorandum and more the Australian government's processes for assessing refugee claims in the first place that concerns Professor Maley.
MALEY: That's partly because the government has had to pull in all sorts of people with relatively minimum training in recent times to undertake assessments and one wonders whether the people who are doing these kinds of assessments really have a good smell and feel of what the situation on the ground in Afghanistan is like.
MOTTRAM: Not only are those officers ill equipped for their task - as rejection rates for Afghans grow - they are, Professor Maley says, labouring under a questionable Australian claim that security has improved in Afghanistan, especially for the persecuted minority Hazaras, who make up most of the Afghan refugee claimants in Australia.
And just last year Professor Maley says there was particularly gruesome evidence of that.
MALEY: Eleven Hazaras in June 2010 were decapitated in the province of Oruzgan, where Australian troops are deployed, and their bodies were left by the roadside and those who are making decisions in cases of this sort need to think very carefully about whether they would even possibly be exposing somebody to the risk of that kind of treatment.
MOTTRAM: Ethnic Hazara, Younus Noori, made the dangerous boat journey to Australia from Indonesia in 2000, fleeing the Taliban's threats. Eventually granted asylum in Australia, he now works, studies and raises his family in Adelaide. He can barely describe how dangerous his journey was, but during a visit to Canberra said the dangers still facing Hazaras were so much greater that nothing would stop them taking the trip.
NOORI: This is the most difficult and the most horrible journey that you can ever feel coming to Australia by boat. But the problem is that when the people are inside like a kind of a burning house, whenever they see a hole, they hope that they can go through and get out of that and they will try to use that.
MOTTRAM: Australia claims no one will be returned to face persecution. And with 49 of the 2600 Afghans currently in Australian detention having had their cases rejected at two reviews, Chris Bowen, the minister, says forced returns could come within the year. But with the international community advocating a deal with the Taliban as part of a political settlement in Afghanistan, Hazaras fear they are facing the prospect of much more - not less - persecution.
Source,
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201101/s3114979.htm
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Bamiyan City in Afghanistan
If you’re into picturesque views and history, then you’ll certainly love Bamiyan Afghanistan. This picturesque locale is considered 1 with the places that tourists should never miss seeing or visiting when within the country because it is the site of several ruined Buddha statues that had been destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. These statues have been close to for centuries and stood the test of time but had been not able to withstand the ravages of war between religions within the country.
To obtain to Bamiyan, you are able to go by road from Kabul. Whenever you venture into this region, attempt to blend in by with the assist of a scarf covering your head, your mouth and your nose. Aside from keeping your self inconspicuous, this also helps keep the dust out of your nose and mouth because these routes are frequently rough and extremely dusty. You will be able to get to Bamiyan via a shared 4WD minivan that can seat around five to ten people. The drive to Bamiyan generally takes close to 9 hours.
Whenever you get to Bamiyan town, aside from the well-known ruined Buddhas, you will probably be in a position to see just how badly war has torn some of the city apart. You can see many weapons that were left behind, jeeps that have been destroyed and buildings and houses which are now part of the ruins around these destroyed Buddhas. You can also visit the Shahr-e Gholghola, which is a fort that may give you majestic views of the valley below because it’s discovered high above the town.
To experience the cuisine that the locals enjoy, you might want to attempt what is known as pulao and naan. You can purchase these rice, vegetable and mutton stews and nearby flat breads from what are known as chaikhanas and you are able to wash down these delicious nearby fare with lots of green tea that’s also being sold by these extremely same vendors.
source: http://www.bestpageresourcelisting.info/uncategorized/bamiyan-city-in-afghanistan/
To obtain to Bamiyan, you are able to go by road from Kabul. Whenever you venture into this region, attempt to blend in by with the assist of a scarf covering your head, your mouth and your nose. Aside from keeping your self inconspicuous, this also helps keep the dust out of your nose and mouth because these routes are frequently rough and extremely dusty. You will be able to get to Bamiyan via a shared 4WD minivan that can seat around five to ten people. The drive to Bamiyan generally takes close to 9 hours.
Whenever you get to Bamiyan town, aside from the well-known ruined Buddhas, you will probably be in a position to see just how badly war has torn some of the city apart. You can see many weapons that were left behind, jeeps that have been destroyed and buildings and houses which are now part of the ruins around these destroyed Buddhas. You can also visit the Shahr-e Gholghola, which is a fort that may give you majestic views of the valley below because it’s discovered high above the town.
To experience the cuisine that the locals enjoy, you might want to attempt what is known as pulao and naan. You can purchase these rice, vegetable and mutton stews and nearby flat breads from what are known as chaikhanas and you are able to wash down these delicious nearby fare with lots of green tea that’s also being sold by these extremely same vendors.
source: http://www.bestpageresourcelisting.info/uncategorized/bamiyan-city-in-afghanistan/
Friday, January 14, 2011
The boy who plays on Buddhas of Bamiyan
By Phil Grabsky
Background Information
9 hours drive from Kabul, at the heart of the Hindu Kush, lies the valley of
Bamiyan. It is surely one of the most beautiful of all Afghanistan. Moreover, its
position and fertility led to the establishment of a trading post on the Silk Road
almost 2000 years ago. It subsequently grew to become an important
Buddhist centre with many monasteries and hundreds of monks. Around the
1st Century AD, a Central Asian nomadic tribe, the Kushans, established
themselves in Afghanistan. Around the end of the 1st century AD their king
was a man called Kanishka who adopted Mahayana Buddhism – which
revered the Buddha as a man as much as a God. Previously Buddha had only
been represented symbolically but under Kanishka the first images of Buddha
the man appeared. The fusing of an Indian artistic style with that of the
Greek-Bactrians led to the so-called ‘Graeco-Buddhic’ art – and the two great
Buddhas of Bamiyan were examples of this.
On completion, the two tallest were 55metres (9m taller than the Statue of
Liberty) and 38m high – an accomplishment that may have taken two hundred
years to achieve. By the time of their first record in 400 AD by a Chinese
Buddhist pilgrim they were covered in a mud and straw mixture to model the
face, hands and robes. The large Buddha was painted red, the smaller blue.
Both had hands and a face of gold. Alongside the Buddhas were excavated
dozens of caves, in which lived monks and other devotees.
Islam had arrived in Bamiyan by the 10th Century but the Buddhas remained
relatively unscathed, even after Genghis Khan in 1222 stormed the valley and,
in response to the killing of his grandson, killed every living thing in the valley.
This destruction marked the end of Bamiyan as a key trade point for centuries
but when the area slowly repopulated it did so with an increasing mix of
Mongol blood – and simultaneously added Shia Islam to the region’s religions.
The people of the area became known as Hazara – and the area (known as
Hazarajat) remained independent of the Afghan state until 1893. It revolted
against the Afghan communist government in 1978 but then came under
Soviet control until struggling free in 1981. The area was stricken with internal
division until the 1990 creation of the Hizb-e Wadhat party initially led by
Abdul Ali Mazari and then, after his mysterious death at the hands of the
Taliban, by Karim Khalili.
During the Taliban period, Bamiyan changed hands several times resulting in
great destruction and civilian casualties. Worse, the Taliban blockaded the
Shia Hazaras adding to the woes of the terrible drought. International attention
turned back to Bamiyan and the Hazara when, in March 2001, Mullah Omah
declared the Buddhas idolatrous and ordered them destroyed once and for all.
Only rubble remains.
link to source: http://www.theboywhoplaysonthebuddhasofbamiyan.co.uk/about.htm
Background Information
9 hours drive from Kabul, at the heart of the Hindu Kush, lies the valley of
Bamiyan. It is surely one of the most beautiful of all Afghanistan. Moreover, its
position and fertility led to the establishment of a trading post on the Silk Road
almost 2000 years ago. It subsequently grew to become an important
Buddhist centre with many monasteries and hundreds of monks. Around the
1st Century AD, a Central Asian nomadic tribe, the Kushans, established
themselves in Afghanistan. Around the end of the 1st century AD their king
was a man called Kanishka who adopted Mahayana Buddhism – which
revered the Buddha as a man as much as a God. Previously Buddha had only
been represented symbolically but under Kanishka the first images of Buddha
the man appeared. The fusing of an Indian artistic style with that of the
Greek-Bactrians led to the so-called ‘Graeco-Buddhic’ art – and the two great
Buddhas of Bamiyan were examples of this.
On completion, the two tallest were 55metres (9m taller than the Statue of
Liberty) and 38m high – an accomplishment that may have taken two hundred
years to achieve. By the time of their first record in 400 AD by a Chinese
Buddhist pilgrim they were covered in a mud and straw mixture to model the
face, hands and robes. The large Buddha was painted red, the smaller blue.
Both had hands and a face of gold. Alongside the Buddhas were excavated
dozens of caves, in which lived monks and other devotees.
Islam had arrived in Bamiyan by the 10th Century but the Buddhas remained
relatively unscathed, even after Genghis Khan in 1222 stormed the valley and,
in response to the killing of his grandson, killed every living thing in the valley.
This destruction marked the end of Bamiyan as a key trade point for centuries
but when the area slowly repopulated it did so with an increasing mix of
Mongol blood – and simultaneously added Shia Islam to the region’s religions.
The people of the area became known as Hazara – and the area (known as
Hazarajat) remained independent of the Afghan state until 1893. It revolted
against the Afghan communist government in 1978 but then came under
Soviet control until struggling free in 1981. The area was stricken with internal
division until the 1990 creation of the Hizb-e Wadhat party initially led by
Abdul Ali Mazari and then, after his mysterious death at the hands of the
Taliban, by Karim Khalili.
During the Taliban period, Bamiyan changed hands several times resulting in
great destruction and civilian casualties. Worse, the Taliban blockaded the
Shia Hazaras adding to the woes of the terrible drought. International attention
turned back to Bamiyan and the Hazara when, in March 2001, Mullah Omah
declared the Buddhas idolatrous and ordered them destroyed once and for all.
Only rubble remains.
link to source: http://www.theboywhoplaysonthebuddhasofbamiyan.co.uk/about.htm
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Get your hands on Pataka's latest publication Bamiyan - the Heart of Afghanistan
Only available at Pataka's shop $25.00
All good things are worth waiting for! Pataka Museum has just taken delivery of the Bamiyan exhibition book from the printers in China.
This full colour, 204 page book with its beautiful page layouts of virtually all the images from the recent Bamiyan exhibition is an absolute stunner!
Relive the experience, savour the images of the people of Bamiyan. Recall the history of the region, review the scenic sights and historic sites. Drool over Chris Weisserborn's remarkable panoramic images, revisit the work of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, enjoy the children's artwork, savour again the photographs of Pedram Pirnia and ponder the words and thoughts of the local interviewees.
Every aspect of the stimulating exhibition that was visited by over 60,000 people is encompassed in the book. Buy your copy now and celebrate the memory of the exhibition and Porirua's Friendly City relationship with Bamiyan.
Link to source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1101/S00072/pataka-events-for-february.htm
All good things are worth waiting for! Pataka Museum has just taken delivery of the Bamiyan exhibition book from the printers in China.
This full colour, 204 page book with its beautiful page layouts of virtually all the images from the recent Bamiyan exhibition is an absolute stunner!
Relive the experience, savour the images of the people of Bamiyan. Recall the history of the region, review the scenic sights and historic sites. Drool over Chris Weisserborn's remarkable panoramic images, revisit the work of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, enjoy the children's artwork, savour again the photographs of Pedram Pirnia and ponder the words and thoughts of the local interviewees.
Every aspect of the stimulating exhibition that was visited by over 60,000 people is encompassed in the book. Buy your copy now and celebrate the memory of the exhibition and Porirua's Friendly City relationship with Bamiyan.
Link to source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1101/S00072/pataka-events-for-february.htm
Monday, January 10, 2011
وزیر فرهنگ افغانستان: در تلاش چاپ آثار کاتب هستیم
ایوب آروین
بی بی سی
رهین: کاتب تاریخ نگار و مردی مبارز سیاسی و اجتماعی بود.
سید مخدوم رهین وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ افغانستان گفته است که هرچند هزینه کافی در اختیار ندارد، ولی برای چاپ آثار فیض محمد کاتب تلاش می کند.
آقای رهین گفت امکان این هم وجود دارد که امتیاز چاپ این آثار را به مراکز فرهنگی و علمی غیردولتی واگذار کند، اما او تاکید کرد که در هر حال آثار کاتب باید با رویکردی کاملا عالمانه و حرفه ای چاپ و منتشر شوند.
وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ نگرانی ها از این که هنوز هم برخی مقامهای دولتی به دلیل مخالفت با انتشار اطلاعات مندرج در آثار کاتب، مانع چاپ این آثار می شوند را بی مورد دانست.
در آغاز گفتگویی از او پرسیدم: از نظر دولت افغانستان، که شما وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ آن هستید، فیض محمد کاتب چه کسی است؟
مرحوم کاتب از نظر همه ما و شخصیت چندبعدی است که نه تنها تاریخ نگار بزرگی است، بلکه مردی مبارز سیاسی و اجتماعی هم هست.
زندگانی کاتب در عهد سراج الملت و الدین، امیر حبیب الله خان شهید و همچنان در زمان شاه امان الله با اعتماد و محبت خاص دربار همراه بود. مخصوصا در زمان شاه امان الله، که پادشاه نه تنها مرحوم کاتب را به عنوان یک مورخ احترام می کرد، بلکه به عنوان مرد فاضلی که در مبارزات سیاسی و اجتماعی کاملا همنوا و پیرو شاه امان الله بود، مورد شفقت خاصش بود.
نقش کاتب در تحولات اجتماعی آن زمان مانند سایر مشروطه خواهان و روشنفکران، روشن است و کاتب با قلم توانای خود آثار گرانبهایی آفریده است.
وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ به مناسبت هشتادمین سال وفات این شخصیت بزرگ وطن در نظر دارد که سیمینار خاصی در اوائل بهار (۱۳۹۰ خورشیدی) برگزار کند. می خواستیم این کار در این زمستان صورت بگیرد، اما احساس کردیم که ممکن است بسیاری از علاقمندان و کاتب شناسان نتوانند در این فصل به این سیمینار بیایند. به همین سبب آن را گذاشتیم به اوائل بهار و بعد از نوروز. به زودی تشکیل کمیسیون برگزاری محفل یادبود، کاتب اعلام می شود.
شما از محبت امیر حبیب الله خان و امان الله خان نسبت به کاتب یاد کردید، حبیب الله خان دستور مصادره و از بین بردن جلد سوم سراج التواریخ را صادر کرد و امان الله خان هم اجازه چاپ آثار کاتب را نداد.
رهین: کسی که در زمینه زندگی، آثار و افکار کاتب کار کند، به عنوان کاتب شناس شناخته می شود.
موضوع اجازه ندادن به چاپ کتابهای کاتب، مقداری مغشوش است، ولی من از آن فرمان شاه امان الله که به کاتب اجازه داده که از تمام آثار کتابخانه سلطنتی هر وقتی که خواست استفاده کند و حتی وظیفه داده به کاتب که بنویسد و از این آثار کتابخانه استفاده کند. حتی در سندی که من دیده ام نوشته که حتی مصارف چای روزانه کاتب را که روزی دو روپیه آن زمان باشد، شخص پادشاه به قلم خود تعیین کرده است. این نشانه ای از نزدیکی و صمیمیت است.
شما از اصطلاح کاتب شناسی استفاده کردید، تا چه حدی فکر می کنید که کاتب شناسی در افغانستان جا افتاده است؟
کاتب شناسی تعبیر بجایی است، برای این که زندگانی کاتب و پایان غم انگیز عمرش و همچنین آثار گرانبهایش و آن خط شیوایش، همه این ها در ابعاد مختلف خود قابل مطالعه و پژوهش هستند. بنابر آن، کسی که در زمینه زندگانی، آثار و افکار کاتب کار کرده باشد و یا کار کند، طبعا به عنوان کاتب شناس شناخته می شود.
از کاتب هزاران صفحه آثار خطی، غیر از آثار چاپ شده اش بجا مانده، در هشتاد سال گذشته این آثار مجال چاپ نیافتند، فکر می کنید، دلیل اصلی اش چه بوده است؟
خب اصولا ما در گذشته کتاب کم چاپ کرده ایم. امکانات هم زیاد نبوده است. شما اگر اولین وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ مملکت، که به نام رئیس مستقل مطبوعات یاد می شد- مرحوم صلاح الدین سلجوقی- کتابی را که به نام "افکار شاعر" نوشته و در کابل چاپ شده را ببینید، متوجه می شوید که تا چه حدی امکانات نشر و پخش ما ضعیف بوده است در آن زمان. بنا بر آن، مقدار زیادی از توجه نکردن به چاپ این آثار و کتب ناشی از مشکلات در امر طباعت و امثالش بوده است.
در هر حال، در این کار (چاپ آثار کاتب) غفلت صورت گرفته، ولی این غفلت بیشتر ناشی از فقدان وسائل و عوامل دیگر بوده و نه احساس بدبینی نسبت به مرحوم کاتب. شخصیت های والای دیگری هم هستند که توجهی به ایشان نشده.
تا جایی که اطلاع داریم، حدود پنج هزار صفحه از آثار خطی کاتب در آرشیو ملی موجود است و اخیرا خانواده کاتب در اروپا به بی بی سی اطلاع داد که سه هزار و پانصد صفحه از آثار کاتب نزد ایشان است و گفتند که دغدغه آنها نگهداری درست این آثار و چاپ آنها است، گفتنی شما در این مورد چیست؟
مهمترین آثار کاتب به دستور و تحت نظر مستقیم حبیب الله خان نوشته شده است.
ما هم نگهداری می کنیم، مثلی که الحمدالله آثار بسیار نفیسی را در آرشیو ملی نگهداری کرده ایم و هم چاپ می کنیم. من امیدوارم خانواده مرحوم کاتب با وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ تماس بگیرند و مطمئن باشند که نسل نو اگر مثل آنها فرزندان صوری کاتب نیستند، فرزندان معنوی کاتب هستند، مخصوصا قشر پیشتاز و روشنفکر.
از آثار مرحوم کاتب، بخش در باره مطالعه قبائل پشتون و قبائل هزاره را من هم دارم که ضمن کتاب امان التواریخ (عکس نسخه خطی اش که در کتابخانه نیویورک است) نزد من هست. من به دلیل کثرت مشاغل متاسفانه نتوانسته ام که آن را آماده چاپ بسازم، ولی امیدوارم که تا اوائل بهار من هم در این زمینه کار کرده باشم.
آثاری که قبلا به آرشیو ملی داده شده، بیش از بیست سال است که در آن جا نگهداری می شود، اما کاری برای چاپ آنها انجام نشده، اگر همه آثار کاتب هم جمع شود و کاری برای چاپ آنها نشود و در اختیار عموم قرار نگیرد، فایده آن چیست؟
اولا آثار آرشیو ملی در دسترس پژوهشگران و محققان هست و از دسترس اهل علم بدور نیست. ثانیا مهم این است که این آثار محفوظ باشد. فرصت برای این که پژوهشگران بروند، در مورد آنها کار کنند هست و همیشه هست. ولی مبادا این آثار از بین بروند، مبادا این آثار بر اثر حوادث نابود شوند.
اوائل سال جاری خورشیدی معاون دوم رئیس جمهوری و بعضی از همکاران شما در وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ از چاپ آثار کاتب سخن گفتند و در گفتگو با رسانه ها، از جمله بی بی سی وعده دادند که آثار کاتب چاپ می شوند، ولی در عمل به نظر می رسد که کاری در این زمینه انجام نشده است.
هر چند امان الله خان در موارد بسیاری از کاتب حمایت کرد، اما به آثار عمده او اجازه چاپ نداد.
چاپ آثار کاتب به صورتی نیست که کتاب را از آرشیو ملی بگیرید، ببرید به مطبعه و چاپ کنید. هر کدام از این آثار باید مورد مطالعه دقیق قرار بگیرند و با دیگر آثار کاتب مقایسه شوند، با دیگر نسخ مقایسه شوند و کار علمی و بعد از آن آماده چاپ شوند. چنین کاری به این سادگی نیست. اولا این کار را هر کسی نمی تواند، ثانیا کسی که این کار می تواند باید وقت کافی داشته باشد. معمولا این نوع کارها، زمان طولانی را در بر می گیرد.
خب تا حالا چه کاری در این زمینه انجام شده؟ شما تا حال افرادی را سراغ ندارید که این شرایط را داشته باشند؟
افرادی هستند، از جمله آقای (حبیب الله) رفیع که روی یکی از آثار کاتب کار می کند. کسانی دیگر هم به همین ترتیب به صورت پراکنده کار می کنند. ولی وقتی که ما این سیمینار را برگزار کردیم، دقیقا تعیین می کنیم که چه کسی به چه کاری دست بزند و من شخصا می خواهم هیات علمی را تعیین کنم که با دید کاملا علمی و انتقادی (آثار کاتب را) ببینند تا بعدا این آثار چاپ شوند.
این کارهای تجاری است که کتاب چاپ می کنند و تلاش می کنند که زود بفروشند. این کار علمی نیست. نوشته های مرحوم کاتب مخصوصا بخاطری که تاریخ است و اصولا تاریخ نویسی معاصر حرفه حساسی است در سراسر جهان. به دلیل این که بسیاری از مطالبی که ذکر می شود، به خوب و بد اشخاص بر می گردد، مخصوصا نسلی که از نسل حاضر زیاد دور نیست.
به همین سبب در صحت و سقم مسائل، در این که مطلب به وسیله مرحوم کاتب نوشته شده یا نه و امثال کارهایی که در تصحیح متن ایجاب می کند- که خودش فن مخصوص است- کارهایی باید صورت بگیرد.
در هر حال، من به این که آثار مرحوم کاتب زود چاپ شوند، علاقه ندارم، برای این که کاری که زود شود، صحیح نمی باشد. ولی عمیقا علاقه دارم که این کار صورت بگیرد و با دقت، تانی و مخصوصا متعاقب سیمینار یادبود مرحوم کاتب.
بخش عمده ای از آثار کاتب تحولات دوره امیر عبدالرحمان خان و چند امیر پس از او را با جزئیات کم نظیری در بر دارد.
ذکر همین خوب بدی که فرمودید در آثار کاتب وجود دارد و بعضی این نگرانی را مطرح کرده اند که آثار کاتب به دلیل رویکرد افشاگرانه اش، مخالفانی در داخل دولت کنونی افغانستان دارد و این افراد مانع چاپ آثار کاتب می شوند، پاسخ شما به این نگرانی ها چیست؟
این نگرانی ها بیهوده است. من فکر نمی کنم که هیچ کسی از مقامات دولت حتی در این مورد فکر هم کرده باشد. برعلاوه، این کار (چاپ آثار کاتب) به وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ مربوط است و وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ در هیچ حال تابع چنین سلیقه ها نیست.
شما عملا برای چاپ آثار کاتب برنامه ریزی کرده اید، بودجه ای اختصاص داده اید؟
بودجه اختصاص دادن کاری ندارد. ما وزارتخانه ای بسیار فقیر هستیم. با همین چیزی که داریم می خواهیم چاپش کنیم. در هر حال برای چاپ آثار مرحوم کاتب راهی پیدا می کنیم و پولی پیدا می کنیم. شما می بینید بخاطری که بودجه ما بسیار کم است، من گاه دست به دامن تاجر ملی می زنم و گاه دست به دامن سفارتخانه های خارجی و گاه موسسات غیردولتی خارجی تا برای خدمت به فرهنگ این کشور کاری شود.
اگر شما نتوانید بودجه ای برای این کار پیدا کنید، امکان این وجود دارد که امتیاز چاپ آثار کاتب را به بخش خصوصی و مراکز فرهنگی غیردولتی واگذار کنید؟
خب، آثار مرحوم کاتب را کوشش می کنیم خود ما چاپ کنیم و هم (اجازه می دهیم به) یک مرجع سالم. مرجع سالم که می گویم منظورم این است که دیدگاه علمی داشته باشد و کارش صرفا تجاری نباشد، در آن صورت فرق نمی کند که چنین مرجعی هم آثار کاتب را چاپ کند.
Link to source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110110_k02-kateb-raheen-iv.shtml
بی بی سی
رهین: کاتب تاریخ نگار و مردی مبارز سیاسی و اجتماعی بود.
سید مخدوم رهین وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ افغانستان گفته است که هرچند هزینه کافی در اختیار ندارد، ولی برای چاپ آثار فیض محمد کاتب تلاش می کند.
آقای رهین گفت امکان این هم وجود دارد که امتیاز چاپ این آثار را به مراکز فرهنگی و علمی غیردولتی واگذار کند، اما او تاکید کرد که در هر حال آثار کاتب باید با رویکردی کاملا عالمانه و حرفه ای چاپ و منتشر شوند.
وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ نگرانی ها از این که هنوز هم برخی مقامهای دولتی به دلیل مخالفت با انتشار اطلاعات مندرج در آثار کاتب، مانع چاپ این آثار می شوند را بی مورد دانست.
در آغاز گفتگویی از او پرسیدم: از نظر دولت افغانستان، که شما وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ آن هستید، فیض محمد کاتب چه کسی است؟
مرحوم کاتب از نظر همه ما و شخصیت چندبعدی است که نه تنها تاریخ نگار بزرگی است، بلکه مردی مبارز سیاسی و اجتماعی هم هست.
زندگانی کاتب در عهد سراج الملت و الدین، امیر حبیب الله خان شهید و همچنان در زمان شاه امان الله با اعتماد و محبت خاص دربار همراه بود. مخصوصا در زمان شاه امان الله، که پادشاه نه تنها مرحوم کاتب را به عنوان یک مورخ احترام می کرد، بلکه به عنوان مرد فاضلی که در مبارزات سیاسی و اجتماعی کاملا همنوا و پیرو شاه امان الله بود، مورد شفقت خاصش بود.
نقش کاتب در تحولات اجتماعی آن زمان مانند سایر مشروطه خواهان و روشنفکران، روشن است و کاتب با قلم توانای خود آثار گرانبهایی آفریده است.
وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ به مناسبت هشتادمین سال وفات این شخصیت بزرگ وطن در نظر دارد که سیمینار خاصی در اوائل بهار (۱۳۹۰ خورشیدی) برگزار کند. می خواستیم این کار در این زمستان صورت بگیرد، اما احساس کردیم که ممکن است بسیاری از علاقمندان و کاتب شناسان نتوانند در این فصل به این سیمینار بیایند. به همین سبب آن را گذاشتیم به اوائل بهار و بعد از نوروز. به زودی تشکیل کمیسیون برگزاری محفل یادبود، کاتب اعلام می شود.
شما از محبت امیر حبیب الله خان و امان الله خان نسبت به کاتب یاد کردید، حبیب الله خان دستور مصادره و از بین بردن جلد سوم سراج التواریخ را صادر کرد و امان الله خان هم اجازه چاپ آثار کاتب را نداد.
رهین: کسی که در زمینه زندگی، آثار و افکار کاتب کار کند، به عنوان کاتب شناس شناخته می شود.
موضوع اجازه ندادن به چاپ کتابهای کاتب، مقداری مغشوش است، ولی من از آن فرمان شاه امان الله که به کاتب اجازه داده که از تمام آثار کتابخانه سلطنتی هر وقتی که خواست استفاده کند و حتی وظیفه داده به کاتب که بنویسد و از این آثار کتابخانه استفاده کند. حتی در سندی که من دیده ام نوشته که حتی مصارف چای روزانه کاتب را که روزی دو روپیه آن زمان باشد، شخص پادشاه به قلم خود تعیین کرده است. این نشانه ای از نزدیکی و صمیمیت است.
شما از اصطلاح کاتب شناسی استفاده کردید، تا چه حدی فکر می کنید که کاتب شناسی در افغانستان جا افتاده است؟
کاتب شناسی تعبیر بجایی است، برای این که زندگانی کاتب و پایان غم انگیز عمرش و همچنین آثار گرانبهایش و آن خط شیوایش، همه این ها در ابعاد مختلف خود قابل مطالعه و پژوهش هستند. بنابر آن، کسی که در زمینه زندگانی، آثار و افکار کاتب کار کرده باشد و یا کار کند، طبعا به عنوان کاتب شناس شناخته می شود.
از کاتب هزاران صفحه آثار خطی، غیر از آثار چاپ شده اش بجا مانده، در هشتاد سال گذشته این آثار مجال چاپ نیافتند، فکر می کنید، دلیل اصلی اش چه بوده است؟
خب اصولا ما در گذشته کتاب کم چاپ کرده ایم. امکانات هم زیاد نبوده است. شما اگر اولین وزیر اطلاعات و فرهنگ مملکت، که به نام رئیس مستقل مطبوعات یاد می شد- مرحوم صلاح الدین سلجوقی- کتابی را که به نام "افکار شاعر" نوشته و در کابل چاپ شده را ببینید، متوجه می شوید که تا چه حدی امکانات نشر و پخش ما ضعیف بوده است در آن زمان. بنا بر آن، مقدار زیادی از توجه نکردن به چاپ این آثار و کتب ناشی از مشکلات در امر طباعت و امثالش بوده است.
در هر حال، در این کار (چاپ آثار کاتب) غفلت صورت گرفته، ولی این غفلت بیشتر ناشی از فقدان وسائل و عوامل دیگر بوده و نه احساس بدبینی نسبت به مرحوم کاتب. شخصیت های والای دیگری هم هستند که توجهی به ایشان نشده.
تا جایی که اطلاع داریم، حدود پنج هزار صفحه از آثار خطی کاتب در آرشیو ملی موجود است و اخیرا خانواده کاتب در اروپا به بی بی سی اطلاع داد که سه هزار و پانصد صفحه از آثار کاتب نزد ایشان است و گفتند که دغدغه آنها نگهداری درست این آثار و چاپ آنها است، گفتنی شما در این مورد چیست؟
مهمترین آثار کاتب به دستور و تحت نظر مستقیم حبیب الله خان نوشته شده است.
ما هم نگهداری می کنیم، مثلی که الحمدالله آثار بسیار نفیسی را در آرشیو ملی نگهداری کرده ایم و هم چاپ می کنیم. من امیدوارم خانواده مرحوم کاتب با وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ تماس بگیرند و مطمئن باشند که نسل نو اگر مثل آنها فرزندان صوری کاتب نیستند، فرزندان معنوی کاتب هستند، مخصوصا قشر پیشتاز و روشنفکر.
از آثار مرحوم کاتب، بخش در باره مطالعه قبائل پشتون و قبائل هزاره را من هم دارم که ضمن کتاب امان التواریخ (عکس نسخه خطی اش که در کتابخانه نیویورک است) نزد من هست. من به دلیل کثرت مشاغل متاسفانه نتوانسته ام که آن را آماده چاپ بسازم، ولی امیدوارم که تا اوائل بهار من هم در این زمینه کار کرده باشم.
آثاری که قبلا به آرشیو ملی داده شده، بیش از بیست سال است که در آن جا نگهداری می شود، اما کاری برای چاپ آنها انجام نشده، اگر همه آثار کاتب هم جمع شود و کاری برای چاپ آنها نشود و در اختیار عموم قرار نگیرد، فایده آن چیست؟
اولا آثار آرشیو ملی در دسترس پژوهشگران و محققان هست و از دسترس اهل علم بدور نیست. ثانیا مهم این است که این آثار محفوظ باشد. فرصت برای این که پژوهشگران بروند، در مورد آنها کار کنند هست و همیشه هست. ولی مبادا این آثار از بین بروند، مبادا این آثار بر اثر حوادث نابود شوند.
اوائل سال جاری خورشیدی معاون دوم رئیس جمهوری و بعضی از همکاران شما در وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ از چاپ آثار کاتب سخن گفتند و در گفتگو با رسانه ها، از جمله بی بی سی وعده دادند که آثار کاتب چاپ می شوند، ولی در عمل به نظر می رسد که کاری در این زمینه انجام نشده است.
هر چند امان الله خان در موارد بسیاری از کاتب حمایت کرد، اما به آثار عمده او اجازه چاپ نداد.
چاپ آثار کاتب به صورتی نیست که کتاب را از آرشیو ملی بگیرید، ببرید به مطبعه و چاپ کنید. هر کدام از این آثار باید مورد مطالعه دقیق قرار بگیرند و با دیگر آثار کاتب مقایسه شوند، با دیگر نسخ مقایسه شوند و کار علمی و بعد از آن آماده چاپ شوند. چنین کاری به این سادگی نیست. اولا این کار را هر کسی نمی تواند، ثانیا کسی که این کار می تواند باید وقت کافی داشته باشد. معمولا این نوع کارها، زمان طولانی را در بر می گیرد.
خب تا حالا چه کاری در این زمینه انجام شده؟ شما تا حال افرادی را سراغ ندارید که این شرایط را داشته باشند؟
افرادی هستند، از جمله آقای (حبیب الله) رفیع که روی یکی از آثار کاتب کار می کند. کسانی دیگر هم به همین ترتیب به صورت پراکنده کار می کنند. ولی وقتی که ما این سیمینار را برگزار کردیم، دقیقا تعیین می کنیم که چه کسی به چه کاری دست بزند و من شخصا می خواهم هیات علمی را تعیین کنم که با دید کاملا علمی و انتقادی (آثار کاتب را) ببینند تا بعدا این آثار چاپ شوند.
این کارهای تجاری است که کتاب چاپ می کنند و تلاش می کنند که زود بفروشند. این کار علمی نیست. نوشته های مرحوم کاتب مخصوصا بخاطری که تاریخ است و اصولا تاریخ نویسی معاصر حرفه حساسی است در سراسر جهان. به دلیل این که بسیاری از مطالبی که ذکر می شود، به خوب و بد اشخاص بر می گردد، مخصوصا نسلی که از نسل حاضر زیاد دور نیست.
به همین سبب در صحت و سقم مسائل، در این که مطلب به وسیله مرحوم کاتب نوشته شده یا نه و امثال کارهایی که در تصحیح متن ایجاب می کند- که خودش فن مخصوص است- کارهایی باید صورت بگیرد.
در هر حال، من به این که آثار مرحوم کاتب زود چاپ شوند، علاقه ندارم، برای این که کاری که زود شود، صحیح نمی باشد. ولی عمیقا علاقه دارم که این کار صورت بگیرد و با دقت، تانی و مخصوصا متعاقب سیمینار یادبود مرحوم کاتب.
بخش عمده ای از آثار کاتب تحولات دوره امیر عبدالرحمان خان و چند امیر پس از او را با جزئیات کم نظیری در بر دارد.
ذکر همین خوب بدی که فرمودید در آثار کاتب وجود دارد و بعضی این نگرانی را مطرح کرده اند که آثار کاتب به دلیل رویکرد افشاگرانه اش، مخالفانی در داخل دولت کنونی افغانستان دارد و این افراد مانع چاپ آثار کاتب می شوند، پاسخ شما به این نگرانی ها چیست؟
این نگرانی ها بیهوده است. من فکر نمی کنم که هیچ کسی از مقامات دولت حتی در این مورد فکر هم کرده باشد. برعلاوه، این کار (چاپ آثار کاتب) به وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ مربوط است و وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ در هیچ حال تابع چنین سلیقه ها نیست.
شما عملا برای چاپ آثار کاتب برنامه ریزی کرده اید، بودجه ای اختصاص داده اید؟
بودجه اختصاص دادن کاری ندارد. ما وزارتخانه ای بسیار فقیر هستیم. با همین چیزی که داریم می خواهیم چاپش کنیم. در هر حال برای چاپ آثار مرحوم کاتب راهی پیدا می کنیم و پولی پیدا می کنیم. شما می بینید بخاطری که بودجه ما بسیار کم است، من گاه دست به دامن تاجر ملی می زنم و گاه دست به دامن سفارتخانه های خارجی و گاه موسسات غیردولتی خارجی تا برای خدمت به فرهنگ این کشور کاری شود.
اگر شما نتوانید بودجه ای برای این کار پیدا کنید، امکان این وجود دارد که امتیاز چاپ آثار کاتب را به بخش خصوصی و مراکز فرهنگی غیردولتی واگذار کنید؟
خب، آثار مرحوم کاتب را کوشش می کنیم خود ما چاپ کنیم و هم (اجازه می دهیم به) یک مرجع سالم. مرجع سالم که می گویم منظورم این است که دیدگاه علمی داشته باشد و کارش صرفا تجاری نباشد، در آن صورت فرق نمی کند که چنین مرجعی هم آثار کاتب را چاپ کند.
Link to source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110110_k02-kateb-raheen-iv.shtml
NATO: 3 Afghan police officers killed in (Daikundi Province) mistaken-identity strike
By the CNN Wire Staff
January 10, 2011 4:28 a.m. EST
(CNN) -- NATO officials said Monday they have sent a team to investigate an incident in central Afghanistan where troops thought they were battling militants, but instead may have exchanged gunfire with Afghan police.
The operation, which took place Sunday in Daikundi province, led to the death of three Afghan police officers and wounded three others, the International Security Assistance Force said.
NATO troops were conducting a patrol in a village when they came across nine armed people who were setting up what "appeared to be an ambush position," the force said in a statement.
The service members called in aerial support.
Later, troops determined the air strike may have been carried out against an Afghan police team, the force said.
"While we take extraordinary precaution while conducting operations to avoid friendly casualties, it appears innocent people may have been mistakenly targeted," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, the director of the force's Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.
Link to Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/10/afghanistan.police.killed/
January 10, 2011 4:28 a.m. EST
(CNN) -- NATO officials said Monday they have sent a team to investigate an incident in central Afghanistan where troops thought they were battling militants, but instead may have exchanged gunfire with Afghan police.
The operation, which took place Sunday in Daikundi province, led to the death of three Afghan police officers and wounded three others, the International Security Assistance Force said.
NATO troops were conducting a patrol in a village when they came across nine armed people who were setting up what "appeared to be an ambush position," the force said in a statement.
The service members called in aerial support.
Later, troops determined the air strike may have been carried out against an Afghan police team, the force said.
"While we take extraordinary precaution while conducting operations to avoid friendly casualties, it appears innocent people may have been mistakenly targeted," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, the director of the force's Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.
Link to Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/10/afghanistan.police.killed/
60% state institutions in Daikundi operate in rental buildings
NEILI (NNI): About 60 percent of state institutions are operating in central Daikundi province without having buildings of their own, costing much to the country's budget, the governor said. "Officials of these departments operate from rented places, the rent of which range from 15,000 to 25, 000 afghanis per month," Qurban Ali Uruzgani said. "Twenty-two out of 37 state bodies have no buildings of their own," he said, adding the government had to pay a lot of money in rent for these buildings. Hajj and Islamic Affairs department is one of many operating in rental buildings. "The current building for which we pay 15,000 afghanis a month is not big enough to house all the staff," head of the department, Shiekh Mohammad Essa Taqadussi said. He said he had raised the problem with the ministry concerned who came up with the promise to construct a building for his department next year. Residents complain that provincial departments changed buildings with time to time, creating problems for them. "Almost every year, provincial departments change locations and you have to wander for days to find their new locations," said Mohammad Ali, a resident of Shahristan district.
Link to Source: http://www.allvoices.com/s/event-7840960/aHR0cDovL3d3dy50aGVmcm9udGllcnBvc3QuY29tL05ld3MuYXNweD9uY2F0PWFuJmFtcDtuaWQ9NTU0JmFtcDthZD0xMC0xLTIwMTE=
Link to Source: http://www.allvoices.com/s/event-7840960/aHR0cDovL3d3dy50aGVmcm9udGllcnBvc3QuY29tL05ld3MuYXNweD9uY2F0PWFuJmFtcDtuaWQ9NTU0JmFtcDthZD0xMC0xLTIwMTE=
Afghan Culture Museum
Blog: John Thackara
A lifetime ago, during a six month journey in Afghanistan, I passed the spectacular site of Bamiyan, shown in this photograph, on my way into the Hindu Kush. This was long before the three enormous statues of Buddha, carved into the sides of cliffs, were destroyed by the Taliban on the grounds that they were an affront to Islam.
A two-day visit did not make this hippy-tourist an expert — but the impact of that site has lived with me ever since. The statues could only have been created by one of humanity's most ancient civilizations — and yet that cultural and social legacy is hardly ever mentioned in contemporary media coverage of the country.
It is welcome news, therefore, that a project to create a virtual museum of Afghan culture has been launched in Paris by an independent producer, Pascale Bastide. The celebrated and visionary architect Yona Friedman has agreed to to design and "build" a virtual structure that will enable access to Afghan collections which are now physically scattered in many museums and private collections around the world. Every art object will have its own geographic, ethnological and historic information; a panoramic table will situate these objects in the larger context of European, Mideastern and Asian civilizations. There will be also a special pavilion offered to Afghan people to deposit their own archives.
"My fundamental idea about architecture is that we are overbuilding" comments Friedman; "earth is over occupied. A museum, from this point of view, doesn't need to have a building." Rather than attempt to fill the cavity left after the demolition of the giant statues with a new buillding, his idea is to use that space as a kind of grid, or promenade, to present the online exhibits.
Another collaborator in the project, Michael Barry, a professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton, states that "several moments of mankind's fate and creativity were sealed on what is today Afghan soil — and the world needs to see that".
Link to source: http://observersroom.designobserver.com/johnthackara/entry.html?entry=23898
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Save us, plead Afghan blood-feud lovers
Jeremy Kelly | Sunday Herald Sun | January 09, 2011
A YOUNG Afghan couple want asylum in Australia after their marriage sparked a bloody tribal war, tit-for-tat kidnappings and intervention by US Special Forces and President Hamid Karzai.
A bloody tribal war has erupted over the marriage of a young Afghan couple. Picture: AP Source: HWT Image Library
They now fear her family is trying to hunt them down to kill them to preserve her family’s so-called honour.
Their problems started 10 months ago in Oruzgan province, where most Australian troops are based, when 20-year-old Massoma ran off with her lover, a member of the Hazara tribe, which has been persecuted by her tribe, the Pashtuns, for centuries.
“If my family finds me, they will cut me into pieces because I married a Hazara boy without their permission,” Massoma said.
She said they lived from day to day, sleeping no more than one night in any house, in fear they would be found and then slain.
“We were not expecting any of this. It was never on our mind. This man took my heart. He had a kind face, good colour and beautiful skin. That’s why I ran away with him,” Massoma said.
It was four months after fleeing her family in a village in Khas Oruzgan district that her family found out where she was.
Her husband, Younus, 22, went to her family to try to broker a peace deal, asking whether they wanted money – an offer he said they refused.
“They said, ‘We want the girl, you and your family’. They wanted us all, just for killing.”
By then, news of the marriage was causing ripples through the district. Fighting between Pashtuns and Hazaras flared with, by most accounts, at least two people killed and 300 families forced to flee their houses to escape the violence.
The Pashtuns kidnapped a teenage Hazara girl, Mahgul, and rushed her to Kandahar province. The Hazaras retaliated, taking seven Pashtun men hostage.
Perhaps realising the issue could escalate into a potential tribal war, US Special Forces, which are the only foreign military in the area, intervened.
Locals said the US military rescued Mahgul from Kandahar and brought both girls back to their base in Khas Oruzgan.
Word spread around the community that the Americans had two local women on the base, fertile propaganda for the Taliban.
“I knew (then) that I had to get them off my base as fast as possible,” said the Special Forces captain, who, under US military policy, cannot be named.
He arranged a shura, or gathering, to bring the warring sides together. That led to another shura, where agreements were forged for the violence to cease, the hostages to be released and delegations from each tribe to be sent to Kabul to ensure the peace was lasting.
President Karzai met the delegation, which included tribal leaders, MPs and the president’s chief tribal adviser.
The matter was close to their hearts, given Massoma was a member of their Pashtun sub-tribe, the Popalzai.
After 41 days of talks, the two sides recently returned to Oruzgan unable to reach agreement. The sticking point: Massoma refused to attend.
“We don’t trust them. I swear on the Holy Qur’an they will kill us both,” she said.
Oruzgan’s police chief Juma Gul agreed that Massoma was “in danger because her brother and father are taking this issue very seriously”.
He confirmed that violence because of the marriage had led to two deaths, the displacement of 300 people and 11 hostages being taken, all of whom he said were now released.
Adding to the intrigue is a claim by the Pashtuns that Massoma was married before meeting Younus and that she needs to divorce him.
“That’s a complete lie,” Massoma said.
The US Special Forces captain said that in his discussions with Massoma’s mother, she didn’t mentioned her daughter was already married, adding that the supposed first husband never appeared.
The Pashtun delegation’s leader and Karzai’s tribal adviser, Jan Mohammed Khan, said that until the couple came to Kabul the matter would remain simmering in the province and any move to give asylum to the couple would merely inflame the issue, leading to further conflict.
“If they come to Kabul and if they are happy, we will say go. Go and be happy together,” he said, adding it was vital that she appear to get divorced from her alleged first husband.
Massoma said she doubted the pledge.
“We just want to find a peaceful place, a quiet place where no one can say anything to us,” she said.
“We want nothing else, just peace.”
Younus said only a new life in another country would ensure their safety.
“We want to be taken out of Afghanistan.” he said.
“Australia, America, wherever, we just want to leave Afghanistan.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Younus said the couple had good relations with Australian soldiers in Oruzgan province.
That, he said, had motivated their interest in Australia being their first choice for a new home.
“It is a peaceful country, I think, where they don’t kill people because they married someone,” he said.
“Their soldiers are helping us in Oruzgan, but they know of our situation and they know we will die here because of our marriage.
“If we have children, we don’t want them to live like us.
“During the night in one place, during the day in another place, all the time.”
The couple requested their surname not to be used and their picture to not appear on the internet because they wanted as few people as possible in Afghanistan to know their identity.
“We are on guard the whole time,” Younus said.
“This is not a proper life.
“We request from the Australian people, or whoever, to please us.”
The US commander of Australian forces in Oruzgan, Col. Jim Creighton, has taken an interest in the couple’s case.
Late last year he told the Sunday Herald Sun he had serious fears for Massoma’s future and he supported any move to get the couple out of the country.
To apply for asylum in Australia, the couple would face a precarious journey through Pashtun-dominated areas of Oruzgan, Kandahar and Ghazni before making their way to Kabul.
They would then have to travel east through the Khyber Pass to the Pakistani capital Islamabad because the Australian Embassy in Kabul offers no consular assistance to Afghans.
Link to source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/afghan-blood-feud-couple-seek-asylum/story-fn6bfkm6-1225984234954
A YOUNG Afghan couple want asylum in Australia after their marriage sparked a bloody tribal war, tit-for-tat kidnappings and intervention by US Special Forces and President Hamid Karzai.
A bloody tribal war has erupted over the marriage of a young Afghan couple. Picture: AP Source: HWT Image Library
They now fear her family is trying to hunt them down to kill them to preserve her family’s so-called honour.
Their problems started 10 months ago in Oruzgan province, where most Australian troops are based, when 20-year-old Massoma ran off with her lover, a member of the Hazara tribe, which has been persecuted by her tribe, the Pashtuns, for centuries.
“If my family finds me, they will cut me into pieces because I married a Hazara boy without their permission,” Massoma said.
She said they lived from day to day, sleeping no more than one night in any house, in fear they would be found and then slain.
“We were not expecting any of this. It was never on our mind. This man took my heart. He had a kind face, good colour and beautiful skin. That’s why I ran away with him,” Massoma said.
It was four months after fleeing her family in a village in Khas Oruzgan district that her family found out where she was.
Her husband, Younus, 22, went to her family to try to broker a peace deal, asking whether they wanted money – an offer he said they refused.
“They said, ‘We want the girl, you and your family’. They wanted us all, just for killing.”
By then, news of the marriage was causing ripples through the district. Fighting between Pashtuns and Hazaras flared with, by most accounts, at least two people killed and 300 families forced to flee their houses to escape the violence.
The Pashtuns kidnapped a teenage Hazara girl, Mahgul, and rushed her to Kandahar province. The Hazaras retaliated, taking seven Pashtun men hostage.
Perhaps realising the issue could escalate into a potential tribal war, US Special Forces, which are the only foreign military in the area, intervened.
Locals said the US military rescued Mahgul from Kandahar and brought both girls back to their base in Khas Oruzgan.
Word spread around the community that the Americans had two local women on the base, fertile propaganda for the Taliban.
“I knew (then) that I had to get them off my base as fast as possible,” said the Special Forces captain, who, under US military policy, cannot be named.
He arranged a shura, or gathering, to bring the warring sides together. That led to another shura, where agreements were forged for the violence to cease, the hostages to be released and delegations from each tribe to be sent to Kabul to ensure the peace was lasting.
President Karzai met the delegation, which included tribal leaders, MPs and the president’s chief tribal adviser.
The matter was close to their hearts, given Massoma was a member of their Pashtun sub-tribe, the Popalzai.
After 41 days of talks, the two sides recently returned to Oruzgan unable to reach agreement. The sticking point: Massoma refused to attend.
“We don’t trust them. I swear on the Holy Qur’an they will kill us both,” she said.
Oruzgan’s police chief Juma Gul agreed that Massoma was “in danger because her brother and father are taking this issue very seriously”.
He confirmed that violence because of the marriage had led to two deaths, the displacement of 300 people and 11 hostages being taken, all of whom he said were now released.
Adding to the intrigue is a claim by the Pashtuns that Massoma was married before meeting Younus and that she needs to divorce him.
“That’s a complete lie,” Massoma said.
The US Special Forces captain said that in his discussions with Massoma’s mother, she didn’t mentioned her daughter was already married, adding that the supposed first husband never appeared.
The Pashtun delegation’s leader and Karzai’s tribal adviser, Jan Mohammed Khan, said that until the couple came to Kabul the matter would remain simmering in the province and any move to give asylum to the couple would merely inflame the issue, leading to further conflict.
“If they come to Kabul and if they are happy, we will say go. Go and be happy together,” he said, adding it was vital that she appear to get divorced from her alleged first husband.
Massoma said she doubted the pledge.
“We just want to find a peaceful place, a quiet place where no one can say anything to us,” she said.
“We want nothing else, just peace.”
Younus said only a new life in another country would ensure their safety.
“We want to be taken out of Afghanistan.” he said.
“Australia, America, wherever, we just want to leave Afghanistan.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Younus said the couple had good relations with Australian soldiers in Oruzgan province.
That, he said, had motivated their interest in Australia being their first choice for a new home.
“It is a peaceful country, I think, where they don’t kill people because they married someone,” he said.
“Their soldiers are helping us in Oruzgan, but they know of our situation and they know we will die here because of our marriage.
“If we have children, we don’t want them to live like us.
“During the night in one place, during the day in another place, all the time.”
The couple requested their surname not to be used and their picture to not appear on the internet because they wanted as few people as possible in Afghanistan to know their identity.
“We are on guard the whole time,” Younus said.
“This is not a proper life.
“We request from the Australian people, or whoever, to please us.”
The US commander of Australian forces in Oruzgan, Col. Jim Creighton, has taken an interest in the couple’s case.
Late last year he told the Sunday Herald Sun he had serious fears for Massoma’s future and he supported any move to get the couple out of the country.
To apply for asylum in Australia, the couple would face a precarious journey through Pashtun-dominated areas of Oruzgan, Kandahar and Ghazni before making their way to Kabul.
They would then have to travel east through the Khyber Pass to the Pakistani capital Islamabad because the Australian Embassy in Kabul offers no consular assistance to Afghans.
Link to source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/afghan-blood-feud-couple-seek-asylum/story-fn6bfkm6-1225984234954
آثار کاتب درمعرض خطر نابودی
ایوب آروین
بی بی سی
واحد فیضی نوه کاتب میگوید، نگهداری و چاپ آثار کاتب از مهمترین دغدغه های خانواده کاتب است
خانواده فیض محمد کاتب، مورخ مشهور افغانستان می گویند ۳۵۰۰ صفحه از آثار خطی چاپ نشده این نویسنده در نزد آنها موجود است.
پیش از این اطلاع چندانی در باره این بخش از آثار کاتب وجود نداشت و گمان اغلب بر این بود که آثار کاتب در سالهای اغتشاش پس از سقوط سلطنت امانالله خان از بین رفته است.
نخستین بار در سال ۱۳۶۵ خورشیدی خانواده کاتب اطلاع دادند که هزاران صفحه از آثار کاتب به خط خود او در نزد آنها وجود دارد و آنها این آثار را در اختیار دولت وقت افغانستان قرار دادند.
دولت در آن زمان این آثار را که مجموع آن به حدود پنج هزار صفحه میرسید، در آرشیو ملی افغانستان بایگانی کرد و این نخستین اقدام برای کشف و حفظ آثار کاتب بود.
همچنین سال گذشته خورشیدی دولت افغانستان نسخه خطی جلد چهارم سراجالتواریخ، مهمترین اثر کاتب را از فردی که نام او هنوز اعلام نشده است، خرید و در آرشیو ملی بایگانی کرد.
آثار کاتب در بایگانی ملی
کاتب را از لحاظ دقت و زیرکی در تاریخنویسی رسمی، با بیهقی، تاریخنویس دوره غزنویان مقایسه کرده اند.
به این ترتیب، آن گونه که مقامهای دولت افغانستان گفته اند، در حال حاضر بیش از پنج هزار صفحه از آثار خطی فیض محمد کاتب، که بخش اعظم آنها در باره تاریخ معاصر افغانستان است، در بایگانی ملی افغانستان نگهداری میشود.
در گذشته گمان بر این بود که کتاب سراجالتواریخ تنها سه جلد دارد که تاریخ افغانستان را از ۱۳۶۰ قمری تا پایان پادشاهی امیر عبدالرحمان خان در سال ۱۳۱۵ قمری را در بر دارد.
اما اکنون خانواده کاتب به بیبیسی گفتهاند که صدها صفحه از جلد چهارم و حتی جلد پنجم سراجالتواریخ هم در نزد آنها موجود است.
واحد فیضی، یکی از نوههای کاتب گفت: "۳۵۰۰ صفحهای که در نزد ما است، بیشتر مربوط به وقایع امیر حبیبالله خان و امیر امانالله خان است. بخشهایی از این نوشتهها مربوط به جلد چهارم و پنجم سراجالتواریخ میشود."
به گفته او، این بخش از جلد چهارم و پنجم سراجالتواریخ، توضیحات بیشتری در ارتباط با تحولات این دوره ارائه میکند که در دیگر آثار کاتب با این تفصیل بیان نشده است.
تفاوت نسخههای خطی و چاپی سراج التواریخ
امیر حبیب الله خان سراجالتواریخ را شخصا سانسور کرده است.
در سال گذشته هم بخشی از جلد سوم سراجالتواریخ همراه با نسخه خطی جلد چهارم این کتاب در اختیار بایگانی ملی افغانستان قرار گرفته بود. این بخش از جلد سوم سراج التواریخ به دلائلی که هنوز مشخص نشده، در نسخه چاپ شده آن نیامده است.
نسخه چاپ شده جلد سوم سراج التواریخ که تحولات دوره پادشاهی امیر عبدالرحمان خان را در بر دارد، در سال ۱۳۳۳ هجری قمری تحت نظر مستقیم امیر حبیب الله خان و پس از سانسور شخص او و دو تن از منشیان او چاپ شده بود، ولی این نسخه به دستور حبیب الله خان پیش از انتشار در چاپخانه سلطنتی کابل از بین برده شد.
آن گونه که امیر حبیبالله خان خود در مقدمه جلد اول سراج التواریخ نوشته، او شخصا به فیض محمد کاتب دستور داده بوده که "سرگذشت پادشاهان افغان" را بنویسد، اما پس از آن که مشاوران امیر، او را متوجه زیانهای شرح قتل عامها و استبداد این پادشاهان میکنند، او دستور از بین بردن سراجالتواریخ را صادر میکند.
از جلد سوم چاپ شده سراجالتواریخ تنها چند نسخه از چاپخانه بیرون شده بود که در حال حاضر هم وجود دارد و نسخه خطی آن نشان میدهد که میان این دو نسخه تفاوتهای زیادی وجود دارد. به نظر میرسد که نویسنده نخواسته یا نتوانسته که پادشاه را قانع به چاپ نسخه کامل آن کند.
به این ترتیب به نظر میرسد که حالا دوره کامل پنج جلدی سراجالتواریخ به گونه دستنویس و به خط خود کاتب در دسترس است.
آثار کاتب در اروپا
اعضای خانواده کاتب نگران نگهداری و چاپ آثار او هستند.
آن گونه که آقای فیضی نوه کاتب می گوید، علاوه بر بخشهایی از سراجالتواریخ، آثار دیگری هم از کاتب بجا مانده که در هشتاد سال گذشته به وسیله خانواده کاتب نگهداری میشده و خانواده کاتب این آثار را به همراه خود به اروپا برده است.
بر اساس فهرستی که آقای فیضی در اختیار بیبیسی قرار داده، به طور کلی ۲۸ جزوه بزرگ و کوچک از آثار خطی کاتب در نزد خانواده او نگهداری میشود که تقریبا نیمی از آنها مربوط به سراجالتواریخ است و بقیه آنها شامل آثار دیگر کاتب و همچنین اسناد مهم دولتی آن دوره میشود.
در میان این آثار جلد سوم کتاب تحفهالحبیب، یکی دیگر از کتابهای مشهور کاتب، هم دیده می شود. کاتب پیش از سراج التواریخ این کتاب را نوشته بود، اما امیر حبیب الله و منشیان او این کتاب را آنقدر سانسور کردند، که کاتب از چاپ آن منصرف شد و به تالیف سراج التواریخ پرداخت.
تحفهالحبیب هم به دستور حبیبالله خان و به نام او نوشته شده است. این کتاب شرح تحولات افغانستان در زمان پادشاهان پیش از پادشاهی امیر حبیبالله خان را در بر دارد.
آقای فیضی گفت که در میان نسخه های خطی که در نزد خانواده کاتب نگهداری می شود، کتابی است با عنوان "تاریخ عام و قدیم افغانستان"، کتاب دیگری با نام "اصول دین" و جزوهای هم با عنوان "ذکر تحدید(مرز) افغانستان و وجه تسمیه آن" وجود دارد.
رونوشت نامههایی از امیر عبدالرحمان خان و محمد نادر شاه هم در میان جزوه های به جا مانده از کاتب دیده میشوند که به نظر می رسد اهمیت تاریخی داشته باشند.
دغدغه نگهداری
همه آثار چاپ نشده کاتب به خط خود او است.
فیض محمد کاتب این آثار را در سالهای ۱۳۳۱ تا سالهای منتهی به پایان زندگیاش در ۱۳۴۹ هجری قمری (۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی) نوشته است، اما از آن زمان تا حال تحولات مختلف سیاسی و نظامی در افغانستان فرصت چاپ این آثار را نداده است.
حالا آنگونه که واحد فیضی نوه کاتب میگوید، نگهداری و چاپ آثار کاتب از مهمترین دغدغه های خانواده کاتب است. آقای فیضی گفت که هنوز هم با وجود بهبود شرایط در کشور، زمینه چاپ این آثار و نگهداری نسخه های خطی آنها در محلی مطمئن وجود ندارد.
به گفته او، هرچند برخی کارشناسان کتابداری به خانواده کاتب در باره شیوه و شرایط نگهداری نسخه های موجود آثار خطی کاتب مشورت داده اند، اما آقای فیضی گفت که خانواده کاتب به این نظر است که آثار کاتب به عنوان مراث فرهنگی و ملی کشور باید در محلی مطمئن و به گونه حرفه ای نگهداری شوند. نگهداری غیر حرفه ای آثار چاپ نشده کاتب، خطر از بین رفتن این آثار را هر روز بیشتر می کند و بیم آن وجود دارد که بخشی از وقایع تاریخی، نامه ها و مکاتبات رسمی و اسناد دولتی که در هیچ جای دیگری نیست، از بین بروند.
وعدههایی که عملی نشد
در هشتاد سال گذشته فرصت چاپ آثار کاتب به دست نیامده است.
در دو سال گذشته مقامهای دولت افغانستان بارها از چاپ آثار کاتب سخن گفته اند و شماری از آنها گفته اند که چاپ آثار کاتب در صدر فهرست اولویت های دولت در زمینه فرهنگی قرار دارد، ولی در عمل هیچ کاری برای انتشار این آثار انجام نشده است.
سال گذشته مقامهای وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ پس از به دست آوردن و بایگانی کردن جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ گفتند که تلاش می کنند که این کتاب و دیگر آثار کاتب را چاپ کنند و در آخرین مورد دین محمد مبارز راشدی، معاون این وزارت گفت "وعده" می دهد که امتیاز چاپ این آثار را به بخش خصوصی واگذار خواهد کرد.
حتی محمد کریم خلیلی، معاون رئیس جمهوری هم در مراسمی که در ماه سنبله/شهریور گذشته برای بزرگداشت از کاتب در کابل برگزار شده بود، بر چاپ و انتشار آثار کاتب تاکید کرد، ولی به نظر می رسد که این سخن ها تنها برای اقناع علاقمندان تاریخ کشور و آثار کاتب اظهار می شود و برنامه عملی در این زمینه هنوز وجود ندارد.
واحد فیضی در بخشی از سخنان خود گفت که هنوز دولت افغانستان در ارتباط به آثار کاتب تماسی نگرفته و خانواده او هم نمی داند که دولت افغانستان در ارتباط با آن بخش از آثار کاتب که در بایگانی ملی نگهداری می شود، چه کاری انجام خواهند داد.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110104_k02-kateb-books-family.shtml
بی بی سی
واحد فیضی نوه کاتب میگوید، نگهداری و چاپ آثار کاتب از مهمترین دغدغه های خانواده کاتب است
خانواده فیض محمد کاتب، مورخ مشهور افغانستان می گویند ۳۵۰۰ صفحه از آثار خطی چاپ نشده این نویسنده در نزد آنها موجود است.
پیش از این اطلاع چندانی در باره این بخش از آثار کاتب وجود نداشت و گمان اغلب بر این بود که آثار کاتب در سالهای اغتشاش پس از سقوط سلطنت امانالله خان از بین رفته است.
نخستین بار در سال ۱۳۶۵ خورشیدی خانواده کاتب اطلاع دادند که هزاران صفحه از آثار کاتب به خط خود او در نزد آنها وجود دارد و آنها این آثار را در اختیار دولت وقت افغانستان قرار دادند.
دولت در آن زمان این آثار را که مجموع آن به حدود پنج هزار صفحه میرسید، در آرشیو ملی افغانستان بایگانی کرد و این نخستین اقدام برای کشف و حفظ آثار کاتب بود.
همچنین سال گذشته خورشیدی دولت افغانستان نسخه خطی جلد چهارم سراجالتواریخ، مهمترین اثر کاتب را از فردی که نام او هنوز اعلام نشده است، خرید و در آرشیو ملی بایگانی کرد.
آثار کاتب در بایگانی ملی
کاتب را از لحاظ دقت و زیرکی در تاریخنویسی رسمی، با بیهقی، تاریخنویس دوره غزنویان مقایسه کرده اند.
به این ترتیب، آن گونه که مقامهای دولت افغانستان گفته اند، در حال حاضر بیش از پنج هزار صفحه از آثار خطی فیض محمد کاتب، که بخش اعظم آنها در باره تاریخ معاصر افغانستان است، در بایگانی ملی افغانستان نگهداری میشود.
در گذشته گمان بر این بود که کتاب سراجالتواریخ تنها سه جلد دارد که تاریخ افغانستان را از ۱۳۶۰ قمری تا پایان پادشاهی امیر عبدالرحمان خان در سال ۱۳۱۵ قمری را در بر دارد.
اما اکنون خانواده کاتب به بیبیسی گفتهاند که صدها صفحه از جلد چهارم و حتی جلد پنجم سراجالتواریخ هم در نزد آنها موجود است.
واحد فیضی، یکی از نوههای کاتب گفت: "۳۵۰۰ صفحهای که در نزد ما است، بیشتر مربوط به وقایع امیر حبیبالله خان و امیر امانالله خان است. بخشهایی از این نوشتهها مربوط به جلد چهارم و پنجم سراجالتواریخ میشود."
به گفته او، این بخش از جلد چهارم و پنجم سراجالتواریخ، توضیحات بیشتری در ارتباط با تحولات این دوره ارائه میکند که در دیگر آثار کاتب با این تفصیل بیان نشده است.
تفاوت نسخههای خطی و چاپی سراج التواریخ
امیر حبیب الله خان سراجالتواریخ را شخصا سانسور کرده است.
در سال گذشته هم بخشی از جلد سوم سراجالتواریخ همراه با نسخه خطی جلد چهارم این کتاب در اختیار بایگانی ملی افغانستان قرار گرفته بود. این بخش از جلد سوم سراج التواریخ به دلائلی که هنوز مشخص نشده، در نسخه چاپ شده آن نیامده است.
نسخه چاپ شده جلد سوم سراج التواریخ که تحولات دوره پادشاهی امیر عبدالرحمان خان را در بر دارد، در سال ۱۳۳۳ هجری قمری تحت نظر مستقیم امیر حبیب الله خان و پس از سانسور شخص او و دو تن از منشیان او چاپ شده بود، ولی این نسخه به دستور حبیب الله خان پیش از انتشار در چاپخانه سلطنتی کابل از بین برده شد.
آن گونه که امیر حبیبالله خان خود در مقدمه جلد اول سراج التواریخ نوشته، او شخصا به فیض محمد کاتب دستور داده بوده که "سرگذشت پادشاهان افغان" را بنویسد، اما پس از آن که مشاوران امیر، او را متوجه زیانهای شرح قتل عامها و استبداد این پادشاهان میکنند، او دستور از بین بردن سراجالتواریخ را صادر میکند.
از جلد سوم چاپ شده سراجالتواریخ تنها چند نسخه از چاپخانه بیرون شده بود که در حال حاضر هم وجود دارد و نسخه خطی آن نشان میدهد که میان این دو نسخه تفاوتهای زیادی وجود دارد. به نظر میرسد که نویسنده نخواسته یا نتوانسته که پادشاه را قانع به چاپ نسخه کامل آن کند.
به این ترتیب به نظر میرسد که حالا دوره کامل پنج جلدی سراجالتواریخ به گونه دستنویس و به خط خود کاتب در دسترس است.
آثار کاتب در اروپا
اعضای خانواده کاتب نگران نگهداری و چاپ آثار او هستند.
آن گونه که آقای فیضی نوه کاتب می گوید، علاوه بر بخشهایی از سراجالتواریخ، آثار دیگری هم از کاتب بجا مانده که در هشتاد سال گذشته به وسیله خانواده کاتب نگهداری میشده و خانواده کاتب این آثار را به همراه خود به اروپا برده است.
بر اساس فهرستی که آقای فیضی در اختیار بیبیسی قرار داده، به طور کلی ۲۸ جزوه بزرگ و کوچک از آثار خطی کاتب در نزد خانواده او نگهداری میشود که تقریبا نیمی از آنها مربوط به سراجالتواریخ است و بقیه آنها شامل آثار دیگر کاتب و همچنین اسناد مهم دولتی آن دوره میشود.
در میان این آثار جلد سوم کتاب تحفهالحبیب، یکی دیگر از کتابهای مشهور کاتب، هم دیده می شود. کاتب پیش از سراج التواریخ این کتاب را نوشته بود، اما امیر حبیب الله و منشیان او این کتاب را آنقدر سانسور کردند، که کاتب از چاپ آن منصرف شد و به تالیف سراج التواریخ پرداخت.
تحفهالحبیب هم به دستور حبیبالله خان و به نام او نوشته شده است. این کتاب شرح تحولات افغانستان در زمان پادشاهان پیش از پادشاهی امیر حبیبالله خان را در بر دارد.
آقای فیضی گفت که در میان نسخه های خطی که در نزد خانواده کاتب نگهداری می شود، کتابی است با عنوان "تاریخ عام و قدیم افغانستان"، کتاب دیگری با نام "اصول دین" و جزوهای هم با عنوان "ذکر تحدید(مرز) افغانستان و وجه تسمیه آن" وجود دارد.
رونوشت نامههایی از امیر عبدالرحمان خان و محمد نادر شاه هم در میان جزوه های به جا مانده از کاتب دیده میشوند که به نظر می رسد اهمیت تاریخی داشته باشند.
دغدغه نگهداری
همه آثار چاپ نشده کاتب به خط خود او است.
فیض محمد کاتب این آثار را در سالهای ۱۳۳۱ تا سالهای منتهی به پایان زندگیاش در ۱۳۴۹ هجری قمری (۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی) نوشته است، اما از آن زمان تا حال تحولات مختلف سیاسی و نظامی در افغانستان فرصت چاپ این آثار را نداده است.
حالا آنگونه که واحد فیضی نوه کاتب میگوید، نگهداری و چاپ آثار کاتب از مهمترین دغدغه های خانواده کاتب است. آقای فیضی گفت که هنوز هم با وجود بهبود شرایط در کشور، زمینه چاپ این آثار و نگهداری نسخه های خطی آنها در محلی مطمئن وجود ندارد.
به گفته او، هرچند برخی کارشناسان کتابداری به خانواده کاتب در باره شیوه و شرایط نگهداری نسخه های موجود آثار خطی کاتب مشورت داده اند، اما آقای فیضی گفت که خانواده کاتب به این نظر است که آثار کاتب به عنوان مراث فرهنگی و ملی کشور باید در محلی مطمئن و به گونه حرفه ای نگهداری شوند. نگهداری غیر حرفه ای آثار چاپ نشده کاتب، خطر از بین رفتن این آثار را هر روز بیشتر می کند و بیم آن وجود دارد که بخشی از وقایع تاریخی، نامه ها و مکاتبات رسمی و اسناد دولتی که در هیچ جای دیگری نیست، از بین بروند.
وعدههایی که عملی نشد
در هشتاد سال گذشته فرصت چاپ آثار کاتب به دست نیامده است.
در دو سال گذشته مقامهای دولت افغانستان بارها از چاپ آثار کاتب سخن گفته اند و شماری از آنها گفته اند که چاپ آثار کاتب در صدر فهرست اولویت های دولت در زمینه فرهنگی قرار دارد، ولی در عمل هیچ کاری برای انتشار این آثار انجام نشده است.
سال گذشته مقامهای وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ پس از به دست آوردن و بایگانی کردن جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ گفتند که تلاش می کنند که این کتاب و دیگر آثار کاتب را چاپ کنند و در آخرین مورد دین محمد مبارز راشدی، معاون این وزارت گفت "وعده" می دهد که امتیاز چاپ این آثار را به بخش خصوصی واگذار خواهد کرد.
حتی محمد کریم خلیلی، معاون رئیس جمهوری هم در مراسمی که در ماه سنبله/شهریور گذشته برای بزرگداشت از کاتب در کابل برگزار شده بود، بر چاپ و انتشار آثار کاتب تاکید کرد، ولی به نظر می رسد که این سخن ها تنها برای اقناع علاقمندان تاریخ کشور و آثار کاتب اظهار می شود و برنامه عملی در این زمینه هنوز وجود ندارد.
واحد فیضی در بخشی از سخنان خود گفت که هنوز دولت افغانستان در ارتباط به آثار کاتب تماسی نگرفته و خانواده او هم نمی داند که دولت افغانستان در ارتباط با آن بخش از آثار کاتب که در بایگانی ملی نگهداری می شود، چه کاری انجام خواهند داد.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110104_k02-kateb-books-family.shtml
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Rival Indian firms join hands to bid for Bamiyan iron ore
Posted: Fri Jan 07 2011, 04:10 hrs
New Delhi:
For the first time rivals in the domestic market, steel giants Sail, Tata, Essar, RINL and the Jindal Group, are coming together to jointly bid for iron ore assets and to explore building a steel plant in war-torn Afghanistan.
At a meeting today, the Mines Ministry promised the steel producers “all possible assistance” to facilitate their entry into the “difficult” country.
The Ministry of External Affairs is closely coordinating with the Mines Ministry on the modalities of bidding for mining rights in the Hajigak mines in the Bamiyan province, 130 km west of Kabul.
Afghanistan is estimated to be sitting on iron reserves of 1.8 billion tonnes in Hajigak alone, and is issuing an open tender for multiple exploration concessions. The selected bidder will be granted mineral concessions under the Afghan Mineral Law, 2010.
There are potential coking coal reserves near the Hajigak mines, which the Hamid Karzai government hopes will enthuse companies to set up integrated plants.
Link to source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Rival-Indian-firms-join-hands-to-bid-for-Afghanistan-iron-ore/734529
New Delhi:
For the first time rivals in the domestic market, steel giants Sail, Tata, Essar, RINL and the Jindal Group, are coming together to jointly bid for iron ore assets and to explore building a steel plant in war-torn Afghanistan.
At a meeting today, the Mines Ministry promised the steel producers “all possible assistance” to facilitate their entry into the “difficult” country.
The Ministry of External Affairs is closely coordinating with the Mines Ministry on the modalities of bidding for mining rights in the Hajigak mines in the Bamiyan province, 130 km west of Kabul.
Afghanistan is estimated to be sitting on iron reserves of 1.8 billion tonnes in Hajigak alone, and is issuing an open tender for multiple exploration concessions. The selected bidder will be granted mineral concessions under the Afghan Mineral Law, 2010.
There are potential coking coal reserves near the Hajigak mines, which the Hamid Karzai government hopes will enthuse companies to set up integrated plants.
Link to source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Rival-Indian-firms-join-hands-to-bid-for-Afghanistan-iron-ore/734529
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
هشتادمین سالگرد درگذشت کاتب؛ بیهقی روزگار
بصیر احمد حسینزاده
نویسنده و پژوهشگر
کاتب از پرکارترین و دقیق النظرترین تاریخ نویسان معاصر است
شانزدهم جدی/ دی امسال برابر است با هشتادمین سالروز درگذشت فیض محمد کاتب هزاره، مورخ مشهور افغانستان و مولف کتاب "سراج التواریخ"، که در سال ۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی در کابل چشم از جهان فروبست.
فیض محمد فرزند محمد وکیل از طایفه محمد خواجه هزاره بود و در روستای زرد سنگ از توابع غزنی در ۱۶ رمضان ۱۲۷۹ قمری به دنیا آمد.
به دنبال جنگ سخت قومی و فرقه ای که در آن محل روی داد و به ویرانی سکونتگاه های هزاره ها منجر شد، بازماندگان طایفه محمد خواجه و دیگر اقوام هزاره به "ناهور" غزنی کوچیدند. پدر کاتب در ناهور وکالت و ریاست طایفه محمد خواجه را بر عهده داشت.
ملا فیض محمد تحصیلات مقدماتی را در زادگاهش و در مکتبخانههای سنتی به انجام رساند و سپس برای ادامه تحصیل به قندهار، لاهور، کابل و نجف رفت و دانشهای متداول روزگار، مانند حکمت، لغت، نجوم، حساب و جبر را آموخت و زبانهای پشتو، عربی، اردو و انگلیسی را هم به اندازه نیاز فراگرفت.
از استادان او در کابل ملا محمد سرور اسحاقزی بود که کاتب "تحریر اقلیدس" و "خلاصه الحساب" و "شرح چغمنی" را نزد وی فرا گرفت.
کاتب خوشنویس
ملا فیض محمد کاتب نویسنده و ادیب روشنفکر و از جمله مشروطه خواهان اول بود که حقیقتا نویسنده پرکار و مورخ عالمی بود
عبدالحی حبیبی
میرزا فیض محمد کاتب از همان دوران کودکی خط خوشی داشت و آنگونه که در دانشنامه ادب فارسی و برخی دیگر از منابع آمده است، استادی اش در خوشنویسی و نویسندگی و پیشنهاد ملا محمد سرور اسحاقزی موجب شد تا در دوره امیر عبدالرحمان خان و دوره پسرش امیر حبیب الله خان به سمت "منشی دربار" گماشته شود و کار نوشتن نامه ها و فرمان های دولتی را به او بسپارند و از همین رو بود که به نام "کاتب" آوازه یافت.
در دانشنامه تاکید شده است که کاتب در خوشنویسی "بسیار استاد" بوده است، ولی "حسین نایل" بر این باور است که: "کاتب خط نستعلیق را خوب می نوشت و می توان صفت خوشنویس را بر او اطلاق کرد، اما نمی توان او را در هنر خوشنویسی استاد نامید".
منشی دربار
طبق گفته حسین نایل، بعد از این تاریخ، کاتب پیوسته با حبیب الله خان در تماس بوده و به هدایت او کار می کرد و از هیمن جهت به کاتب شهرت پیدا کرد که در نتیجه تخلص او شد. خود کاتب در سراج التواریخ در این مورد نوشته است: "...جناب نواب شهزاده سپهر و ساده پیشم خواند و نیکم بنواخت و مامور نقل کتب و کتابتم فرمود..."
با توجه به شناختی که امیر حبیبالله خان از علم و دانش کاتب به ویژه در زمینه تاریخنگاری پیدا کرده بود، به او اجازه داد که کتابی در تاریخ افغانستان از روزگار به قدرت رسیدن احمد شاه درانی تا زمان خود امیر حبیب الله بنگارد و برای این کار همه بایگانی های دولتی، اسناد و مدارک دست اول، نامه ها و فرمان ها گزارشهای روزانه و سایر نوشته های موجود را در اختیار کاتب گذاشت.
کاتب در زندان
بیشتر صاحب نظران بر این باورند که کاتب علیرغم پیوندش با دربار شاهی، اندیشه های آزادی خواهانه ای داشت و از جنبش های پیشرو افغانستان، مانند جنبش مشروطیت پشتیبانی می کرد و آنگونه که "عبدالحی حبیبی" در کتاب "جنبش مشروطیت در افغانستان" روایت کرده است، "ملا فیض محمد کاتب نویسنده و ادیب روشنفکر و از جمله مشروطه خواهان اول بود که حقیقتا نویسنده پرکار و مورخ عالمی بود" و به همین سبب در زمان سرکوب جنبش مشروطیت اول او نیز همراه با دیگر سران جنبش به دست امیر حبیب الله به زندان افتاد.
با توجه به شناخت امیر حبیب الله از کاتب که از زمان شاهزادگی او را می شناخت، بعد از مدت کوتاهی کاتب از زندان رها شد.
کاتب در کتاب 'کرسی نشینان کابل'
پس از بازگشت کاتب از هزاره جات، جاسوسان حکومت کاتب را متهم کردند که مردم را به پایداری و عدم سازش بر انگیخته است و حبیب الله کلکانی بعد از دریافت این اخبار کاتب را دستگیر و مورد ضرب و شتم فروان قرار داد که برخی بر این باورند که کاتب بر اثر همین ضرب و شتم از دنیا رفتبعد از مرگ امیر حبیب الله پسرش امان الله خان به قدرت رسید و آنگونه که "مهدی فرخ"، سفیر وقت دولت پهلوی ایران در افغانستان در کتاب "کرسی نشینان کابل" نوشته است، "مقامات حکومتی تلاش داشتند تا از نفوذ کاتب در دستگاه حکومتی به خاطر شیعه و هزاره بودن جلوگیری نمایند."
"در (زمان) سلطنت امان الله خان و وزارت محمد نادر خان، (کاتب) به مدعی العمومی تعیین گردید و به واسطه مخالفت وزرا که (کاتب) قزلباش (یعنی شیعه) است، مانع از تصدی مشارالیه شدند و کاتب بعد از (این) به وکالت هزاره ها منتخب گردید. عبدالعزیز خان وزیر داخله و جمعی دیگر به شاه مراجعه کردند که اگر این شخص به شورا برود، کسی حاضر نمی شود".
در ادامه کتاب "کرسی نشینان کابل" از روابط کاتب با سفارت ایران سخن رفته است: "(کاتب) از بدو تأسیس سفارت ایران با نهایت صمیمیت و جدیت خدمات قابل توجه به سفارت کرده است. از خیالات و نیات محرمانۀ متصدیان فعلی افغانستان هر قدر که مطلع شود - سفارت را مطلع مینماید. برای مهاجرت به ایران و جلب بربری های افغانستان به ایران و جلوگیری از نیات سوء مأمورین افغانستان در خراسان – حاضر و از روی عقیدۀ مذهبی برای هر فداکاری و زحمتی حاضر است."
در مورد راست و دروغ بودن محتوای این کتاب که برای اولین بار در سال ۱۳۷۰ خورشیدی در تهران منتشر شد، علیرغم تلاش نگارنده به نتیجه مشخصی نرسید و فقط در برخی از نوشته ها در موافقت و مخالفت با محتوای کتاب آنهم فقط در مورد فیض کاتب بعضی ها از روی احساسات که بیشتر توجه به مسایل قومی و مذهبی داشت بحث هایی را مطرح کرده بودند که فاقد وجاهت علمی بود.
ولی حتی اگر محتوای کتاب صحت هم داشته باشد، باید توجه داشت که آن چه که از شرح حال سایر دولتمردان افغانستان در کتاب کرسی نشینان کابل بر می آید این است که ستایش ها و نکوهش ها بر اساس دیپلماسی و منافع سیاسی دولت پهلوی در آن روزگار بوده و برای پی بردن به این موضوع باید شرح حال تمام دولتمردان افغانستان را که در این کتاب آمده است، مطالعه کرد.
طبق روایت فرخ، بسیاری از رجال دولتی و سرداران محمدزایی در آن دوران با سفارت ایران رابطه داشته اند و حتی برخی از شاهزادگان و وزرای دولت امان الله خان، آنگونه که در کتاب روایت شده است، با سفارت ایران رابطه خصوصی داشته اند.
در شرح حال شاهزاده محمد کبیر برادر امان الله خان، شاهزاده امین الله پسر امیر عبدالرحمان خان، محمد یعقوب خان وزیر دربار امان الله خان، محمود خان پسر خاله و از اعضای دفتر امان الله خان و بسیاری دیگر از درباریان آمده است که همگی با سفارت ایران روابط خصوصی داشته اند.
تالیف و تدریس
کاتب در زمان امان الله خان علاوه بر تدریس در مکتب حبیبیه به تالیف کتب درسی هم اشتغال داشت و در این دوره گویا عضو هیاتی علمی، با عضویت کسانی مانند عبدالواسع قندهاری و بدری بیگ بوده است.
طبق برخی از نوشته ها، از جمله دانشنامه ادب فارسی، کاتب در لوی جرگه پغمان حضور داشت و خواستار به رسمیت شناختن مذهب تشیع در کنار مذهب تسنن شد که با مخالفت برخی از روحانیان متعصب سنی روبرو شد و این امر به ضرب و شتم او انجامید.
سفر به هزاره جات
بعد از فرار امان الله خان، حبیب الله کلکانی معروف به "بچه سقا" به قدرت رسید که در حکومت چند ماهه خود با مقاومت مردم هزاره، که طرفدار امان الله خان بودند، روبرو گردید.
در سال ۱۳۰۸ خورشیدی، حبیب الله کلکانی هیاتی از رجال هزاره به سرپرستی فیض محمد کاتب به هزاره جات فرستاد تا مردم هزاره را برای صلح با حکومت ترغیب کند. کاتب اگر چه در ظاهر از حکومت طرفداری می کرد، ولی در مجالس خصوصی هزاره ها، آنها را به مقاومت ترغیب می نمود.
پس از بازگشت کاتب از هزاره جات، جاسوسان حکومت کاتب را متهم کردند که مردم را به پایداری و عدم سازش بر انگیخته است و حبیب الله کلکانی بعد از دریافت این اخبار کاتب را دستگیر و مورد ضرب و شتم فروان قرار داد که برخی بر این باورند که کاتب بر اثر همین ضرب و شتم از دنیا رفت.
ضرب و شتم و درگذشت کاتب
طبق نوشته غلام محمد غبار در کتاب افغانستان در مسیر تاریخ: "مردم دعوت هیئت را رد و خودشان را زنده از راه وردک به کابل رجعت دادند. در نتیجه همین رفت و آمد هیات بود که بچه سقا بر میرزا فیض محمد خان نویسنده سراج التواریخ مشتبه گردید و او را چوب بسیار زد، میرزا مریض شد و بعدها به ایران رفت و بعد از معالجه بر گشت و بمرد."
اما آنگونه که علی رضوی غزنوی در شماره ۱۲ "سراج" خاطرات برخی از یاران و نزدیکان کاتب را نقل کرده، این احتمال هم وجود دارد که کاتب بر اثر ضرب و شتم حکومت وفات نکرده باشد.
در نوشته آقای رضوی آمده: "...فردا که آقای طاهری باز وارخطا (سراسیمه) رفته تا خدای نکرده ملا را چیزی نشده باشد، دیده که وی در خانه خود در گذر (کوچه) شاسمندهای چنداول در نزدیک کلکین (پنجره) نشسته است و به لهجه همیشگی غزنیچی خاص خود به او گفته است: "گفتم که اگه امشو نمردم دیگه نمومرم".
در ادامه همین نوشته، رضوی غزنوی نقل می کند که: "ملا پس از واقعه لت و کوب(ضرب و شتم)، بسیار ناتوان و یک مشت استخوان شده بود. روز ها در دکان (مغازه) میر اکبر آقا می نشست و در کمال احترام انگشت نما بود. ملا در سال اول پادشاهی نادر شاه نیت زیارت امام هشتم را کرد و از راه کویته بلوچستان عازم ایران شد... از سفر زیارت ملا و برگشتنش از مشهد معلوم می شود که وفات او هم از اثر مضروب شدن نبوده و خدا دانا تر است."
کاتب در ۱۶ جدی سال ۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی در "بالا جوی" منطقه چنداول کابل به خاک سپرده شد. او سه بار ازدواج کرد. همسر اول او از قره باغ بود که از او صاحب پسری به نام عبدالصمد و یک دختر گردید، همسر دوم او دختر میرزا خان بابا از کابل بود.
دقیق نویس
ملا فیض محمد کاتب آثار پر شماری نوشته است که برخی منتشر و برخی تا کنون توفیق چاپ نیافته است.
کاتب را می توان یکی از پرکارترین و دقیقترین تاریخنویسان افغانستان دانست که تا کنون نیز کسی به پای او نرسیده است و حجم تالیفات کاتب به بیش از شش هزار صفحه و آثار کتابت شده او به بیش از ده هزار صفحه بالغ می گردد.
آثار
سراج التواریخ
سراج التواریخ را امیر حبیب الله خان شخصا سانسور کرده است.
سراج التواریخ مهمترین اثر تالیفی فیض محمد کاتب می باشد که طبق نوشته اکثر صاحبنظران مستندترین کتاب تاریخی افغانستان است که تا کنون منتشر شده است.
عبدالحی حبیبی مورخ مشهور افغانستان در کتاب جنبش مشروطیت بر این نظر است که "سراج التواریخ که از کارهای ایام پختگی و تجربه های زندگانی او است، نخستین کتاب ضبط وقایع دولتی افغانستان شمرده می شود و برای مورخان دیگری که آثار خود را مطابق به موازین جدید تاریخ نویسی می نوسند، بهترین منبع معلومات به شمار می آید."
سراج التواریخ در چهار جلد نوشته شده است و در جلد اول وقایع سالهای حاکمیت خاندان محمدزایی و جلد دوم تاریخ حاکمیت دوست محمد خان تا سقوط محمد یعقوب خان را در بر دارد که در زمان حاکمیت امیر حبیب الله در کابل به چاپ رسیده است.
جلد سوم سراج التواریخ مربوط به وقایع زمان تسلط امیر عبداالرحمن خان است که مهمترین و بزرگترین بخش این کتاب است که در ۸۶۲ صفحه به قطع بزرگ و حروف ریز نوشته شده و در سال ۱۳۳۳ قمری به چاپ رسید، ولی امیر حبیب الله خان حکم به توقیف آن داد و فقط چند نسخه از آن در اختیار عموم قرار گرفت.
جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ که مربوط به وقایع حکمروایی امیر حبیب الله خان می شود هرگز توفیق چاپ پیدا نکرد و سال گذشته دولت افغانستان یک نسخه از این کتاب را به قیمت ۲۵ هزار دالر از یک کتابخانه خصوصی خریداری نمود و در آرشیو ملی بایگانی کرد.
طبق اسناد و شواهد موجود، جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ نیز همزمان با جلد سوم آن نوشته شده است و شرح بسیاری از رویداد های مندرج در جلد سوم به جلد چهارم ارجاع داده شده است.
از آگهی فروش سراج التواریخ هم که در شماره ۲۱ سال پنجم نشریه سراج الاخبار در ۱۱ سرطان ۱۲۹۵ به چاپ رسیده به خوبی مشخص است که حتی جلد چهارم این کتاب هم در همان زمان امیر حبیب الله به زیر چاپ رفته است.
در آگهی آمده است: "چون کتاب مستطاب سراج التواریخ چهار جلد می باشد که اگر در یک وقایه شیرازه می شد حجم کتاب موجود کلان می شد. لهذا اعلیحضرت همایونی والا امر نمودند که جلد اول و دوم در یک شیرازه و جلد سوم و چهارم آن که هنوز در زیر طبع می باشد پس از آنکه از طبع بر آمد مقوا کرده شده و انشاالله اعلان فروش آن نشر کرده خواهد شد."
تحفة الحبیب
"تحفه الحیب" نام یکی دیگر از آثار کاتب است که در سه جلد نوشته شده و به حوادث تاریخی مربوط به پاشاهان قبل از حبیب الله خان پرداخته که تا کنون چاپ نشده است.
حکمای متقدمین
"تاریخ حکمای متقدمین" این کتاب را کاتب هنگامی نوشته است که از امر تاریخ نگاری به صورت رسمی فراغت داشته و چنانکه از نام کتاب پیدا است به حیات حکمای قدیم می پردازد. این اثر در سال ۱۳۰۲ شمسی از روی خط مولف در مطبعه معارف در ۱۸۹ صفحه به چاپ رسید.
کاتب علاوه بر آثاره متعددی که نوشته در بررسی و تصحیح و تالیف کتاب های درسی هم نقش داشته است و مقالات زیادی از او در نشریه "سراج الخبار"، "آینه عرفان" و "حی علی الفلاح" به چاپ رسیده است.
دیگر آثار تالیفی:
فیضی از فیوضات، چاپ نشده
تذکره الانقلاب، چاپ نشده
سراج التواریخ- بخش دوم از جلد سوم، چاپ نشده
امان الانشا، چاپ نشده
امان التواریخ، چاپ نشده
تاریخ عصر امانی، در دسترس نیست
فقرات شرعیه، در دسترس نیست
وقایع دارالسلطنه، هزاره جات و ترکستان
زمامداری و سیاست کشورداری (در مجله حبل الله چاپ شده است)
آثار تحریر شده به خط میرزا فیض محمد کاتب
دیوان شهاب ترشیزی
در بیان شهاب فیوزهای ضربدار
تحفه الحبیب (در ۳ جلد)
سراج التواریخ (در ۳ جلد)
سراج التواریخ به خط عادی مولف
امان التواریخ، جلد ۱،۳،۴،۷
تاریخ حکمای متقدم (از روی خط مولف چاپ شده)
تذکرة الانقلاب
فیضی از فیوضات
یاداشتهای وقایع مختلف افغانستان
زمامداری و سیاست کشورداری (در مجله حبل الله چاپ شده است)
منابع:
۱- سراج التواریخ، فیض محمد کاتب، کابل ۱۳۳۳ قمری
۲- سراج الاخبار، سال پنجم، شماره ۲۱ یازدهم، سرطان ۱۲۹۵ خورشیدی، کابل
۳- آینه عرفان، (نشریه وزارت معارف افغانستان در دوران امان الله خان)؛ ۱۳۰۳ خورشیدی، کابل.
۴- افغانستان در مسیر تاریخ، غلام محمد غبار، جلد اول.
۵- دانشنامه ادب فارسی در افغانستان، حسن انوشه، ۱۳۸۷ خورشیدی، تهران.
۶- پژوهشی در سراج التواریخ و ملا فیض محمد کاتب، حسین نایل، سراج، سال ششم شماره ۱۶ و ۱۷، مرکز فرهنگی نویسندگان افغانستان، قم، ایران.
۷- به یاد فیض محمد کاتب پیش آهنگ تاریخ نویسی در افغانستان معاصر، دکتر سید علی رضوی غزنوی، سراج؛ شماره ۱۲، سال سوم، ۱۳۷۶ خورشیدی، قم، ایران.
۸- شیوه تاریخ نگاری و تاریخ سازی در افغانستان و جهان، بصیر احمد دولت آبادی، سراج، سال ششم، شماره ۱۸، سال ۱۳۷۸ خورشیدی
۹- چند سخن پیرامون سراج التواریخ و امان التواریخ، سید قاسم رشتیا، سراج، شماره ۱۲، سال ۱۳۷۶.
۱۰- یادی از محقق شهیر کشور فیض محمد کاتب هزاره، سر محقق عبدالصابر جنبش، خط سوم، شماره ۸ و ۹، سال ۱۳۸۵ خورشیدی، مشهد.
۱۱- فیض محمد کاتب و روش تاریخ نویسی، میر حسین شاه، تعاون، شماره چهار، سال هشتم، ۱۳۷۹ خورشیدی، پاکستان.
۱۲- کرسی نشینان کابل (احوال دولتمردان افغانستان در روزگار امیر امان الله خان)، سید مهدی فرخ، به کوشش محمد آصف فکرت، سال ۱۳۷۰، موسسه پژوهش و مطالعات فرهنگی، تهران.
۱۳- جنبش مشروطیت در افغانستان، عبدالحی حبیبی، ۱۳۶۳ خورشیدی، کابل.
Link to source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110104_k02-kateb-live-and-books.shtml
نویسنده و پژوهشگر
کاتب از پرکارترین و دقیق النظرترین تاریخ نویسان معاصر است
شانزدهم جدی/ دی امسال برابر است با هشتادمین سالروز درگذشت فیض محمد کاتب هزاره، مورخ مشهور افغانستان و مولف کتاب "سراج التواریخ"، که در سال ۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی در کابل چشم از جهان فروبست.
فیض محمد فرزند محمد وکیل از طایفه محمد خواجه هزاره بود و در روستای زرد سنگ از توابع غزنی در ۱۶ رمضان ۱۲۷۹ قمری به دنیا آمد.
به دنبال جنگ سخت قومی و فرقه ای که در آن محل روی داد و به ویرانی سکونتگاه های هزاره ها منجر شد، بازماندگان طایفه محمد خواجه و دیگر اقوام هزاره به "ناهور" غزنی کوچیدند. پدر کاتب در ناهور وکالت و ریاست طایفه محمد خواجه را بر عهده داشت.
ملا فیض محمد تحصیلات مقدماتی را در زادگاهش و در مکتبخانههای سنتی به انجام رساند و سپس برای ادامه تحصیل به قندهار، لاهور، کابل و نجف رفت و دانشهای متداول روزگار، مانند حکمت، لغت، نجوم، حساب و جبر را آموخت و زبانهای پشتو، عربی، اردو و انگلیسی را هم به اندازه نیاز فراگرفت.
از استادان او در کابل ملا محمد سرور اسحاقزی بود که کاتب "تحریر اقلیدس" و "خلاصه الحساب" و "شرح چغمنی" را نزد وی فرا گرفت.
کاتب خوشنویس
ملا فیض محمد کاتب نویسنده و ادیب روشنفکر و از جمله مشروطه خواهان اول بود که حقیقتا نویسنده پرکار و مورخ عالمی بود
عبدالحی حبیبی
میرزا فیض محمد کاتب از همان دوران کودکی خط خوشی داشت و آنگونه که در دانشنامه ادب فارسی و برخی دیگر از منابع آمده است، استادی اش در خوشنویسی و نویسندگی و پیشنهاد ملا محمد سرور اسحاقزی موجب شد تا در دوره امیر عبدالرحمان خان و دوره پسرش امیر حبیب الله خان به سمت "منشی دربار" گماشته شود و کار نوشتن نامه ها و فرمان های دولتی را به او بسپارند و از همین رو بود که به نام "کاتب" آوازه یافت.
در دانشنامه تاکید شده است که کاتب در خوشنویسی "بسیار استاد" بوده است، ولی "حسین نایل" بر این باور است که: "کاتب خط نستعلیق را خوب می نوشت و می توان صفت خوشنویس را بر او اطلاق کرد، اما نمی توان او را در هنر خوشنویسی استاد نامید".
منشی دربار
طبق گفته حسین نایل، بعد از این تاریخ، کاتب پیوسته با حبیب الله خان در تماس بوده و به هدایت او کار می کرد و از هیمن جهت به کاتب شهرت پیدا کرد که در نتیجه تخلص او شد. خود کاتب در سراج التواریخ در این مورد نوشته است: "...جناب نواب شهزاده سپهر و ساده پیشم خواند و نیکم بنواخت و مامور نقل کتب و کتابتم فرمود..."
با توجه به شناختی که امیر حبیبالله خان از علم و دانش کاتب به ویژه در زمینه تاریخنگاری پیدا کرده بود، به او اجازه داد که کتابی در تاریخ افغانستان از روزگار به قدرت رسیدن احمد شاه درانی تا زمان خود امیر حبیب الله بنگارد و برای این کار همه بایگانی های دولتی، اسناد و مدارک دست اول، نامه ها و فرمان ها گزارشهای روزانه و سایر نوشته های موجود را در اختیار کاتب گذاشت.
کاتب در زندان
بیشتر صاحب نظران بر این باورند که کاتب علیرغم پیوندش با دربار شاهی، اندیشه های آزادی خواهانه ای داشت و از جنبش های پیشرو افغانستان، مانند جنبش مشروطیت پشتیبانی می کرد و آنگونه که "عبدالحی حبیبی" در کتاب "جنبش مشروطیت در افغانستان" روایت کرده است، "ملا فیض محمد کاتب نویسنده و ادیب روشنفکر و از جمله مشروطه خواهان اول بود که حقیقتا نویسنده پرکار و مورخ عالمی بود" و به همین سبب در زمان سرکوب جنبش مشروطیت اول او نیز همراه با دیگر سران جنبش به دست امیر حبیب الله به زندان افتاد.
با توجه به شناخت امیر حبیب الله از کاتب که از زمان شاهزادگی او را می شناخت، بعد از مدت کوتاهی کاتب از زندان رها شد.
کاتب در کتاب 'کرسی نشینان کابل'
پس از بازگشت کاتب از هزاره جات، جاسوسان حکومت کاتب را متهم کردند که مردم را به پایداری و عدم سازش بر انگیخته است و حبیب الله کلکانی بعد از دریافت این اخبار کاتب را دستگیر و مورد ضرب و شتم فروان قرار داد که برخی بر این باورند که کاتب بر اثر همین ضرب و شتم از دنیا رفتبعد از مرگ امیر حبیب الله پسرش امان الله خان به قدرت رسید و آنگونه که "مهدی فرخ"، سفیر وقت دولت پهلوی ایران در افغانستان در کتاب "کرسی نشینان کابل" نوشته است، "مقامات حکومتی تلاش داشتند تا از نفوذ کاتب در دستگاه حکومتی به خاطر شیعه و هزاره بودن جلوگیری نمایند."
"در (زمان) سلطنت امان الله خان و وزارت محمد نادر خان، (کاتب) به مدعی العمومی تعیین گردید و به واسطه مخالفت وزرا که (کاتب) قزلباش (یعنی شیعه) است، مانع از تصدی مشارالیه شدند و کاتب بعد از (این) به وکالت هزاره ها منتخب گردید. عبدالعزیز خان وزیر داخله و جمعی دیگر به شاه مراجعه کردند که اگر این شخص به شورا برود، کسی حاضر نمی شود".
در ادامه کتاب "کرسی نشینان کابل" از روابط کاتب با سفارت ایران سخن رفته است: "(کاتب) از بدو تأسیس سفارت ایران با نهایت صمیمیت و جدیت خدمات قابل توجه به سفارت کرده است. از خیالات و نیات محرمانۀ متصدیان فعلی افغانستان هر قدر که مطلع شود - سفارت را مطلع مینماید. برای مهاجرت به ایران و جلب بربری های افغانستان به ایران و جلوگیری از نیات سوء مأمورین افغانستان در خراسان – حاضر و از روی عقیدۀ مذهبی برای هر فداکاری و زحمتی حاضر است."
در مورد راست و دروغ بودن محتوای این کتاب که برای اولین بار در سال ۱۳۷۰ خورشیدی در تهران منتشر شد، علیرغم تلاش نگارنده به نتیجه مشخصی نرسید و فقط در برخی از نوشته ها در موافقت و مخالفت با محتوای کتاب آنهم فقط در مورد فیض کاتب بعضی ها از روی احساسات که بیشتر توجه به مسایل قومی و مذهبی داشت بحث هایی را مطرح کرده بودند که فاقد وجاهت علمی بود.
ولی حتی اگر محتوای کتاب صحت هم داشته باشد، باید توجه داشت که آن چه که از شرح حال سایر دولتمردان افغانستان در کتاب کرسی نشینان کابل بر می آید این است که ستایش ها و نکوهش ها بر اساس دیپلماسی و منافع سیاسی دولت پهلوی در آن روزگار بوده و برای پی بردن به این موضوع باید شرح حال تمام دولتمردان افغانستان را که در این کتاب آمده است، مطالعه کرد.
طبق روایت فرخ، بسیاری از رجال دولتی و سرداران محمدزایی در آن دوران با سفارت ایران رابطه داشته اند و حتی برخی از شاهزادگان و وزرای دولت امان الله خان، آنگونه که در کتاب روایت شده است، با سفارت ایران رابطه خصوصی داشته اند.
در شرح حال شاهزاده محمد کبیر برادر امان الله خان، شاهزاده امین الله پسر امیر عبدالرحمان خان، محمد یعقوب خان وزیر دربار امان الله خان، محمود خان پسر خاله و از اعضای دفتر امان الله خان و بسیاری دیگر از درباریان آمده است که همگی با سفارت ایران روابط خصوصی داشته اند.
تالیف و تدریس
کاتب در زمان امان الله خان علاوه بر تدریس در مکتب حبیبیه به تالیف کتب درسی هم اشتغال داشت و در این دوره گویا عضو هیاتی علمی، با عضویت کسانی مانند عبدالواسع قندهاری و بدری بیگ بوده است.
طبق برخی از نوشته ها، از جمله دانشنامه ادب فارسی، کاتب در لوی جرگه پغمان حضور داشت و خواستار به رسمیت شناختن مذهب تشیع در کنار مذهب تسنن شد که با مخالفت برخی از روحانیان متعصب سنی روبرو شد و این امر به ضرب و شتم او انجامید.
سفر به هزاره جات
بعد از فرار امان الله خان، حبیب الله کلکانی معروف به "بچه سقا" به قدرت رسید که در حکومت چند ماهه خود با مقاومت مردم هزاره، که طرفدار امان الله خان بودند، روبرو گردید.
در سال ۱۳۰۸ خورشیدی، حبیب الله کلکانی هیاتی از رجال هزاره به سرپرستی فیض محمد کاتب به هزاره جات فرستاد تا مردم هزاره را برای صلح با حکومت ترغیب کند. کاتب اگر چه در ظاهر از حکومت طرفداری می کرد، ولی در مجالس خصوصی هزاره ها، آنها را به مقاومت ترغیب می نمود.
پس از بازگشت کاتب از هزاره جات، جاسوسان حکومت کاتب را متهم کردند که مردم را به پایداری و عدم سازش بر انگیخته است و حبیب الله کلکانی بعد از دریافت این اخبار کاتب را دستگیر و مورد ضرب و شتم فروان قرار داد که برخی بر این باورند که کاتب بر اثر همین ضرب و شتم از دنیا رفت.
ضرب و شتم و درگذشت کاتب
طبق نوشته غلام محمد غبار در کتاب افغانستان در مسیر تاریخ: "مردم دعوت هیئت را رد و خودشان را زنده از راه وردک به کابل رجعت دادند. در نتیجه همین رفت و آمد هیات بود که بچه سقا بر میرزا فیض محمد خان نویسنده سراج التواریخ مشتبه گردید و او را چوب بسیار زد، میرزا مریض شد و بعدها به ایران رفت و بعد از معالجه بر گشت و بمرد."
اما آنگونه که علی رضوی غزنوی در شماره ۱۲ "سراج" خاطرات برخی از یاران و نزدیکان کاتب را نقل کرده، این احتمال هم وجود دارد که کاتب بر اثر ضرب و شتم حکومت وفات نکرده باشد.
در نوشته آقای رضوی آمده: "...فردا که آقای طاهری باز وارخطا (سراسیمه) رفته تا خدای نکرده ملا را چیزی نشده باشد، دیده که وی در خانه خود در گذر (کوچه) شاسمندهای چنداول در نزدیک کلکین (پنجره) نشسته است و به لهجه همیشگی غزنیچی خاص خود به او گفته است: "گفتم که اگه امشو نمردم دیگه نمومرم".
در ادامه همین نوشته، رضوی غزنوی نقل می کند که: "ملا پس از واقعه لت و کوب(ضرب و شتم)، بسیار ناتوان و یک مشت استخوان شده بود. روز ها در دکان (مغازه) میر اکبر آقا می نشست و در کمال احترام انگشت نما بود. ملا در سال اول پادشاهی نادر شاه نیت زیارت امام هشتم را کرد و از راه کویته بلوچستان عازم ایران شد... از سفر زیارت ملا و برگشتنش از مشهد معلوم می شود که وفات او هم از اثر مضروب شدن نبوده و خدا دانا تر است."
کاتب در ۱۶ جدی سال ۱۳۰۹ خورشیدی در "بالا جوی" منطقه چنداول کابل به خاک سپرده شد. او سه بار ازدواج کرد. همسر اول او از قره باغ بود که از او صاحب پسری به نام عبدالصمد و یک دختر گردید، همسر دوم او دختر میرزا خان بابا از کابل بود.
دقیق نویس
ملا فیض محمد کاتب آثار پر شماری نوشته است که برخی منتشر و برخی تا کنون توفیق چاپ نیافته است.
کاتب را می توان یکی از پرکارترین و دقیقترین تاریخنویسان افغانستان دانست که تا کنون نیز کسی به پای او نرسیده است و حجم تالیفات کاتب به بیش از شش هزار صفحه و آثار کتابت شده او به بیش از ده هزار صفحه بالغ می گردد.
آثار
سراج التواریخ
سراج التواریخ را امیر حبیب الله خان شخصا سانسور کرده است.
سراج التواریخ مهمترین اثر تالیفی فیض محمد کاتب می باشد که طبق نوشته اکثر صاحبنظران مستندترین کتاب تاریخی افغانستان است که تا کنون منتشر شده است.
عبدالحی حبیبی مورخ مشهور افغانستان در کتاب جنبش مشروطیت بر این نظر است که "سراج التواریخ که از کارهای ایام پختگی و تجربه های زندگانی او است، نخستین کتاب ضبط وقایع دولتی افغانستان شمرده می شود و برای مورخان دیگری که آثار خود را مطابق به موازین جدید تاریخ نویسی می نوسند، بهترین منبع معلومات به شمار می آید."
سراج التواریخ در چهار جلد نوشته شده است و در جلد اول وقایع سالهای حاکمیت خاندان محمدزایی و جلد دوم تاریخ حاکمیت دوست محمد خان تا سقوط محمد یعقوب خان را در بر دارد که در زمان حاکمیت امیر حبیب الله در کابل به چاپ رسیده است.
جلد سوم سراج التواریخ مربوط به وقایع زمان تسلط امیر عبداالرحمن خان است که مهمترین و بزرگترین بخش این کتاب است که در ۸۶۲ صفحه به قطع بزرگ و حروف ریز نوشته شده و در سال ۱۳۳۳ قمری به چاپ رسید، ولی امیر حبیب الله خان حکم به توقیف آن داد و فقط چند نسخه از آن در اختیار عموم قرار گرفت.
جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ که مربوط به وقایع حکمروایی امیر حبیب الله خان می شود هرگز توفیق چاپ پیدا نکرد و سال گذشته دولت افغانستان یک نسخه از این کتاب را به قیمت ۲۵ هزار دالر از یک کتابخانه خصوصی خریداری نمود و در آرشیو ملی بایگانی کرد.
طبق اسناد و شواهد موجود، جلد چهارم سراج التواریخ نیز همزمان با جلد سوم آن نوشته شده است و شرح بسیاری از رویداد های مندرج در جلد سوم به جلد چهارم ارجاع داده شده است.
از آگهی فروش سراج التواریخ هم که در شماره ۲۱ سال پنجم نشریه سراج الاخبار در ۱۱ سرطان ۱۲۹۵ به چاپ رسیده به خوبی مشخص است که حتی جلد چهارم این کتاب هم در همان زمان امیر حبیب الله به زیر چاپ رفته است.
در آگهی آمده است: "چون کتاب مستطاب سراج التواریخ چهار جلد می باشد که اگر در یک وقایه شیرازه می شد حجم کتاب موجود کلان می شد. لهذا اعلیحضرت همایونی والا امر نمودند که جلد اول و دوم در یک شیرازه و جلد سوم و چهارم آن که هنوز در زیر طبع می باشد پس از آنکه از طبع بر آمد مقوا کرده شده و انشاالله اعلان فروش آن نشر کرده خواهد شد."
تحفة الحبیب
"تحفه الحیب" نام یکی دیگر از آثار کاتب است که در سه جلد نوشته شده و به حوادث تاریخی مربوط به پاشاهان قبل از حبیب الله خان پرداخته که تا کنون چاپ نشده است.
حکمای متقدمین
"تاریخ حکمای متقدمین" این کتاب را کاتب هنگامی نوشته است که از امر تاریخ نگاری به صورت رسمی فراغت داشته و چنانکه از نام کتاب پیدا است به حیات حکمای قدیم می پردازد. این اثر در سال ۱۳۰۲ شمسی از روی خط مولف در مطبعه معارف در ۱۸۹ صفحه به چاپ رسید.
کاتب علاوه بر آثاره متعددی که نوشته در بررسی و تصحیح و تالیف کتاب های درسی هم نقش داشته است و مقالات زیادی از او در نشریه "سراج الخبار"، "آینه عرفان" و "حی علی الفلاح" به چاپ رسیده است.
دیگر آثار تالیفی:
فیضی از فیوضات، چاپ نشده
تذکره الانقلاب، چاپ نشده
سراج التواریخ- بخش دوم از جلد سوم، چاپ نشده
امان الانشا، چاپ نشده
امان التواریخ، چاپ نشده
تاریخ عصر امانی، در دسترس نیست
فقرات شرعیه، در دسترس نیست
وقایع دارالسلطنه، هزاره جات و ترکستان
زمامداری و سیاست کشورداری (در مجله حبل الله چاپ شده است)
آثار تحریر شده به خط میرزا فیض محمد کاتب
دیوان شهاب ترشیزی
در بیان شهاب فیوزهای ضربدار
تحفه الحبیب (در ۳ جلد)
سراج التواریخ (در ۳ جلد)
سراج التواریخ به خط عادی مولف
امان التواریخ، جلد ۱،۳،۴،۷
تاریخ حکمای متقدم (از روی خط مولف چاپ شده)
تذکرة الانقلاب
فیضی از فیوضات
یاداشتهای وقایع مختلف افغانستان
زمامداری و سیاست کشورداری (در مجله حبل الله چاپ شده است)
منابع:
۱- سراج التواریخ، فیض محمد کاتب، کابل ۱۳۳۳ قمری
۲- سراج الاخبار، سال پنجم، شماره ۲۱ یازدهم، سرطان ۱۲۹۵ خورشیدی، کابل
۳- آینه عرفان، (نشریه وزارت معارف افغانستان در دوران امان الله خان)؛ ۱۳۰۳ خورشیدی، کابل.
۴- افغانستان در مسیر تاریخ، غلام محمد غبار، جلد اول.
۵- دانشنامه ادب فارسی در افغانستان، حسن انوشه، ۱۳۸۷ خورشیدی، تهران.
۶- پژوهشی در سراج التواریخ و ملا فیض محمد کاتب، حسین نایل، سراج، سال ششم شماره ۱۶ و ۱۷، مرکز فرهنگی نویسندگان افغانستان، قم، ایران.
۷- به یاد فیض محمد کاتب پیش آهنگ تاریخ نویسی در افغانستان معاصر، دکتر سید علی رضوی غزنوی، سراج؛ شماره ۱۲، سال سوم، ۱۳۷۶ خورشیدی، قم، ایران.
۸- شیوه تاریخ نگاری و تاریخ سازی در افغانستان و جهان، بصیر احمد دولت آبادی، سراج، سال ششم، شماره ۱۸، سال ۱۳۷۸ خورشیدی
۹- چند سخن پیرامون سراج التواریخ و امان التواریخ، سید قاسم رشتیا، سراج، شماره ۱۲، سال ۱۳۷۶.
۱۰- یادی از محقق شهیر کشور فیض محمد کاتب هزاره، سر محقق عبدالصابر جنبش، خط سوم، شماره ۸ و ۹، سال ۱۳۸۵ خورشیدی، مشهد.
۱۱- فیض محمد کاتب و روش تاریخ نویسی، میر حسین شاه، تعاون، شماره چهار، سال هشتم، ۱۳۷۹ خورشیدی، پاکستان.
۱۲- کرسی نشینان کابل (احوال دولتمردان افغانستان در روزگار امیر امان الله خان)، سید مهدی فرخ، به کوشش محمد آصف فکرت، سال ۱۳۷۰، موسسه پژوهش و مطالعات فرهنگی، تهران.
۱۳- جنبش مشروطیت در افغانستان، عبدالحی حبیبی، ۱۳۶۳ خورشیدی، کابل.
Link to source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2011/01/110104_k02-kateb-live-and-books.shtml
Monday, January 3, 2011
Malaysian Contingent's Humanitarian Mission In Bamiyan
January 03, 2011 13:10 PM
By Mohd Faizal Hassan
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The 40-member Malaysian Armed
Forces Medical Team's humanitarian mission in Bamiyan, Afghanistan,
provided a different experience for the Malaysian contingent in the volatile
nation.
For the first time members of Malaysian security forces set foot in
Afghanistan following the host government's invitation to a non-NATO
contingent to help its people and redevelop the war-torn state.
The mission was a baptism of fire for the Malaysian Armed Forces that have
earned and enviable reputation in its peace keeping role in Somalia,
Bosnia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Western Sahara, Namibia and Lebanon.
MALCON ISAF'S HUMANITARIAN ROLE
However, this time it was more of a humanitarian role under the Malaysian
Contingent International Security Assistance Force (MALCON ISAF) where
the contingent provided healthcare and taught the locals on healthcare and
the importance of sanitation.
Seven officers and 33 members of other ranks including seven women were
involved in the interim humanitarian operation with the contingent
stationed in the Bamyan region located in central Afghanistan.
The Malaysian Contingent is working hand-in-hand with the Regional
Redevelopment Team from New Zealand with both teams spending six to
nine months there.
STARTING THE JOURNEY IN TWO CHARLIES
Getting there is a whole new experience.
About 500 friends and relatives of the second group of 30 members
congregated at the Royal Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) grounds in
Subang on 19 Oct to send them off for the mission.
Earlier, the first group of 10-member advance party left on July 16 to get
ready the facilities for the team to operate in Bamiyan.
Two of RMAF's Hercules C-130 aircraft known in the aviation circles as
Charlie ferried the team for the first leg of their 50-hour journey.
The aircraft first headed to Qatar carrying along 18.4 tonnes of necessities
and medical equipment for the tour of duty.
A CHALLENGING ROUTE FROM SUBANG TO AFGANISTAN
An hour after leaving Subang, the planes made a stopover in Maldives
before continuing another five hours to Qatar's Al-Udeid air base which was
once used by the US forces to launch attacks on Iraq.
The stopover here is to request permission to enter Afganistan's airspace
and to switch aircraft as only US operated aircraft is allowed to ferry them
to their final destination.
Nonetheless, the team was quite happy with the cooperation provided by
the Qatar and the American authorities in giving the green light.
After being held up for more 24 hours by the paperwork, changes in the
weather and in switching aircraft, the Malaysian team arrived at Bamiyan
Air Base on 22 Oct at about 11.45 am local time in a US Air Force C130.
Their arrival was greeted by Regional Redevelopment Team's Director Richard Newland and the MALCON ISAF commander Lt Col Norazan Omar.
LIVING FACILITIES LIKE BACK HOME
The three building blocks belonging to the Malaysian team at the New
Zealand's Regional Redevelopment Camp in Bamiyan will serve as the
team's base throughout the duration of their stay there.
Lt Col Norazan Omar said: "This facility is very comfortable and the most
comprehensive in Bamiyan, ready with water, electricity and internet.
The three blocks come complete with living quarters, kitchen, dining hall,
surau, toilets and ofice blocks.
Maj (R) Mohamed Yussof Datuk Tahwil Azar the Managing Director for
Urusan Dwi Makna Sdn Bhd, the company appointed to build the three
blocks, said work on the blocks started on Sept 1 and was completed within
45 days.
The construction work undertaken through Afghan Bamica Construction
Company utilised Malaysian engineering expertise and involved 50 to 80
local workers.
Mohamed Yussof noted that the biggest challenge in the undertaking is
bringing in the equipment as there were no proper roads.
EXTREME WEATHER, TIME DIFFERENCE AND LOCAL CULTURE
As the camp is located 9,200 feet from sea level and Afghanistan faces
severe winter from October to March, the extreme drop in temperature
poses a serious challenge for team members.
Malcon-ISAF's Head of Medical Logistics Maj. Hassan Masro pointed out the
freezing temperature that can reach -40 degree Celsius by mid January
could pose problems to team members.
"All team members are provided with winter clothing and have been trained
mentally and physically to face this challenge," he said.
Nonetheless, the camp's location high above sea level provides a
spectacular panorama of the hilly terrain below including the famous silk
road passing through the foothills that was once used by traders between
Europe and China.
Other than that due to the change in the time zone, there is a five hour
difference between Bamiyan and Malaysia and thus the team have adjust
their bed time, meal times and prayer time for the next six months.
CONSERVATIVE LOCAL CUSTOMS
The team has learned many of the local customs that is far different unlike
back home.
In Bamiyan one of the customs is that the men and women are segregated
in all activities outside home and thus a male doctor can only treat a male
patient and a female doctor can only treat a female patient.
The locals were initially reluctant to approach the Malaysian team members
or to receive treatment at the clinic but after a while they became familiar
with the team.
MALCON ISAF's Medical Officer Maj Dr Mohammad Azim Che Azmi observed
that the locals were ignorant on healthcare and sanitation and they have
been used to living in deplorable condition all this while.
He elaborated that the team is not here to change their ways but to raise
awareness on the importance of personal hygiene.
Another MALCON ISAF Medical Officer Capt (Dr) Ummi Khaltum Mohamed
Taib said it is not going to be easy in changing their ways towards greater
hygiene.
It is very important to keep the hands clean but how to achieve this when
many of the people here rub their hands on rocks to keep themselves
warm.
BAMIYAN CALLS FOR THE WORLD'S ASSISTANCE
The medical team also found that there is a lack of doctors and nurses here
and they have to attend to all the ailments even when the aliments are not
in the area of their specialisation.
Bamiyan with a population of 60,000 lacks maternity nurses,
ophthalmologist, dietitians and general healthcare practitioners and faces
the constant threat of deadly diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and
typhoid.
The medical team also observed that Bamiyan is in serious need of
international help in developing infrastructure like roads and hospitals.
While developing the infrastructure here poses a challenge due to the
elevation and extreme weather, this region is known to the world for its
historical Buddha monuments recognised by UNESCO and thus holds good potential to emerge as a tourism district.
MALAYSIAN HOSPITALITY WELCOMED IN AFGANISTAN
Malaysia's impeccable record in international peacekeeping and
humanitarian mission prompted the Afgan authorities to invite Malaysia to
provide healthcare for its citizens.
Bamiyan's governor Habiba Sarabi said Malaysia's expertise in this field and
the common Islamic background that both nations shared were among the
factors that impressed the Afghan government.
Habiba appreciated Malaysia's acceptance of the offer though the area
where the Malaysian team is stationed lacks clean water, electricity, roads
that are dusty and filled with stones.
He also hoped that Malaysian investors would consider undertaking
development in the district in areas like eco-tourism and food industries.
Bamiyan has many interesting sites to see and also known for its potatoes.
A SUCCESSFUL MISSION
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the
team in Afghanistan would be expanded from 40 to 120 in due course with
a third team joining in.
"We are also in talks with third parties to jointly sponsor the facilities and
the cost in maintaining the team there as the whole exercise is very
costly."
"During the recent courtesy call by the British army general, I asked his
assistance to look for parties that can help share the cost and if possible we
want other Muslim nations like Indonesia and Brunei to join in our mission,"
he said.
MALCON ISAF's mission is no small feat when looking at the challenges that
the team have to face in Afghanistan and at the same time in maintaining
Malaysia sterling record in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in
foreign land.
-- BERNAMA
By Mohd Faizal Hassan
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The 40-member Malaysian Armed
Forces Medical Team's humanitarian mission in Bamiyan, Afghanistan,
provided a different experience for the Malaysian contingent in the volatile
nation.
For the first time members of Malaysian security forces set foot in
Afghanistan following the host government's invitation to a non-NATO
contingent to help its people and redevelop the war-torn state.
The mission was a baptism of fire for the Malaysian Armed Forces that have
earned and enviable reputation in its peace keeping role in Somalia,
Bosnia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Western Sahara, Namibia and Lebanon.
MALCON ISAF'S HUMANITARIAN ROLE
However, this time it was more of a humanitarian role under the Malaysian
Contingent International Security Assistance Force (MALCON ISAF) where
the contingent provided healthcare and taught the locals on healthcare and
the importance of sanitation.
Seven officers and 33 members of other ranks including seven women were
involved in the interim humanitarian operation with the contingent
stationed in the Bamyan region located in central Afghanistan.
The Malaysian Contingent is working hand-in-hand with the Regional
Redevelopment Team from New Zealand with both teams spending six to
nine months there.
STARTING THE JOURNEY IN TWO CHARLIES
Getting there is a whole new experience.
About 500 friends and relatives of the second group of 30 members
congregated at the Royal Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) grounds in
Subang on 19 Oct to send them off for the mission.
Earlier, the first group of 10-member advance party left on July 16 to get
ready the facilities for the team to operate in Bamiyan.
Two of RMAF's Hercules C-130 aircraft known in the aviation circles as
Charlie ferried the team for the first leg of their 50-hour journey.
The aircraft first headed to Qatar carrying along 18.4 tonnes of necessities
and medical equipment for the tour of duty.
A CHALLENGING ROUTE FROM SUBANG TO AFGANISTAN
An hour after leaving Subang, the planes made a stopover in Maldives
before continuing another five hours to Qatar's Al-Udeid air base which was
once used by the US forces to launch attacks on Iraq.
The stopover here is to request permission to enter Afganistan's airspace
and to switch aircraft as only US operated aircraft is allowed to ferry them
to their final destination.
Nonetheless, the team was quite happy with the cooperation provided by
the Qatar and the American authorities in giving the green light.
After being held up for more 24 hours by the paperwork, changes in the
weather and in switching aircraft, the Malaysian team arrived at Bamiyan
Air Base on 22 Oct at about 11.45 am local time in a US Air Force C130.
Their arrival was greeted by Regional Redevelopment Team's Director Richard Newland and the MALCON ISAF commander Lt Col Norazan Omar.
LIVING FACILITIES LIKE BACK HOME
The three building blocks belonging to the Malaysian team at the New
Zealand's Regional Redevelopment Camp in Bamiyan will serve as the
team's base throughout the duration of their stay there.
Lt Col Norazan Omar said: "This facility is very comfortable and the most
comprehensive in Bamiyan, ready with water, electricity and internet.
The three blocks come complete with living quarters, kitchen, dining hall,
surau, toilets and ofice blocks.
Maj (R) Mohamed Yussof Datuk Tahwil Azar the Managing Director for
Urusan Dwi Makna Sdn Bhd, the company appointed to build the three
blocks, said work on the blocks started on Sept 1 and was completed within
45 days.
The construction work undertaken through Afghan Bamica Construction
Company utilised Malaysian engineering expertise and involved 50 to 80
local workers.
Mohamed Yussof noted that the biggest challenge in the undertaking is
bringing in the equipment as there were no proper roads.
EXTREME WEATHER, TIME DIFFERENCE AND LOCAL CULTURE
As the camp is located 9,200 feet from sea level and Afghanistan faces
severe winter from October to March, the extreme drop in temperature
poses a serious challenge for team members.
Malcon-ISAF's Head of Medical Logistics Maj. Hassan Masro pointed out the
freezing temperature that can reach -40 degree Celsius by mid January
could pose problems to team members.
"All team members are provided with winter clothing and have been trained
mentally and physically to face this challenge," he said.
Nonetheless, the camp's location high above sea level provides a
spectacular panorama of the hilly terrain below including the famous silk
road passing through the foothills that was once used by traders between
Europe and China.
Other than that due to the change in the time zone, there is a five hour
difference between Bamiyan and Malaysia and thus the team have adjust
their bed time, meal times and prayer time for the next six months.
CONSERVATIVE LOCAL CUSTOMS
The team has learned many of the local customs that is far different unlike
back home.
In Bamiyan one of the customs is that the men and women are segregated
in all activities outside home and thus a male doctor can only treat a male
patient and a female doctor can only treat a female patient.
The locals were initially reluctant to approach the Malaysian team members
or to receive treatment at the clinic but after a while they became familiar
with the team.
MALCON ISAF's Medical Officer Maj Dr Mohammad Azim Che Azmi observed
that the locals were ignorant on healthcare and sanitation and they have
been used to living in deplorable condition all this while.
He elaborated that the team is not here to change their ways but to raise
awareness on the importance of personal hygiene.
Another MALCON ISAF Medical Officer Capt (Dr) Ummi Khaltum Mohamed
Taib said it is not going to be easy in changing their ways towards greater
hygiene.
It is very important to keep the hands clean but how to achieve this when
many of the people here rub their hands on rocks to keep themselves
warm.
BAMIYAN CALLS FOR THE WORLD'S ASSISTANCE
The medical team also found that there is a lack of doctors and nurses here
and they have to attend to all the ailments even when the aliments are not
in the area of their specialisation.
Bamiyan with a population of 60,000 lacks maternity nurses,
ophthalmologist, dietitians and general healthcare practitioners and faces
the constant threat of deadly diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and
typhoid.
The medical team also observed that Bamiyan is in serious need of
international help in developing infrastructure like roads and hospitals.
While developing the infrastructure here poses a challenge due to the
elevation and extreme weather, this region is known to the world for its
historical Buddha monuments recognised by UNESCO and thus holds good potential to emerge as a tourism district.
MALAYSIAN HOSPITALITY WELCOMED IN AFGANISTAN
Malaysia's impeccable record in international peacekeeping and
humanitarian mission prompted the Afgan authorities to invite Malaysia to
provide healthcare for its citizens.
Bamiyan's governor Habiba Sarabi said Malaysia's expertise in this field and
the common Islamic background that both nations shared were among the
factors that impressed the Afghan government.
Habiba appreciated Malaysia's acceptance of the offer though the area
where the Malaysian team is stationed lacks clean water, electricity, roads
that are dusty and filled with stones.
He also hoped that Malaysian investors would consider undertaking
development in the district in areas like eco-tourism and food industries.
Bamiyan has many interesting sites to see and also known for its potatoes.
A SUCCESSFUL MISSION
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the
team in Afghanistan would be expanded from 40 to 120 in due course with
a third team joining in.
"We are also in talks with third parties to jointly sponsor the facilities and
the cost in maintaining the team there as the whole exercise is very
costly."
"During the recent courtesy call by the British army general, I asked his
assistance to look for parties that can help share the cost and if possible we
want other Muslim nations like Indonesia and Brunei to join in our mission,"
he said.
MALCON ISAF's mission is no small feat when looking at the challenges that
the team have to face in Afghanistan and at the same time in maintaining
Malaysia sterling record in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in
foreign land.
-- BERNAMA
Ethnic discrimination infests Afghan army, soldiers say
By Claire Truscott (AFP)
MUSA QALA, Afghanistan — Disgruntled Afghan soldiers dish out five-dollar dinner plates of fried rice and potatoes to US Marines at a camp on the frontline against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.
This culinary sideline, which supplements the US forces' spartan rations, helps the Afghans save enough cash to bribe their commander to give them time off to see their families, the men say. Some never return.
Speaking in secret afterwards, the Afghan troops told AFP that because they are ethnic minorities in the country's Pashtun-heavy army, bribery is the only way they can make sure their Pashtun commander gives them a break.
"The commander tells us, 'search your pockets'. If somebody gives him money, he can take vacation. I don't have any money so I can't go," said one soldier, a 20-year-old ethnic Hazara man.
"As a non-Pashtun, I'm cheap. I'm not as valuable to them (the army) as a Pashtun soldier," added a Tajik, who like others requested anonymity for fear of retribution.
The situation is sapping morale among young recruits at a small base in the Musa Qala district of volatile Helmand province, a highly dangerous area and one of Afghanistan's main Taliban flashpoints.
This is just one of the issues dogging Afghanistan's 150,000-member national army, whose strength is key to the plan for international troops gradually to withdraw and hand responsibility for security to Afghan forces by 2014.
A report from respected NGO International Crisis Group in May said today's Afghan army was "incapable of fighting the insurgency on its own", highlighting ethnic factionalism, illiteracy, drug addiction and desertion.
Its research found that Pashtuns and Tajiks -- thought to make up 42 and 27 percent of all Afghans respectively -- dominate the officer ranks, while Hazaras, Uzbeks and other groups remain under-represented at that level.
General Mohammad Zaher Azimi of the Ministry of Defence said that the Afghan National Army (ANA) was ethnically balanced and that it would not stand for any discrimination in the ranks.
"We are not aware of any mistreatment of soldiers from one ethnic group by officers from another ethnic group, or officers taking bribes to give soldiers leave," he told AFP.
"But we will investigate these reports and if we find out they are true, we will take proper measures to solve them. We will not tolerate any kind of discrimination in the national army."
Feelings of alienation do not help fire up the young recruits for their job, which many admit they find frightening and only stick with for the relatively decent wage of 280 US dollars per month.
Dangers lurk both on and off the battlefield -- Taliban attacks on army targets in Afghanistan's towns and cities are frequent, with nine troops killed in one day last month in Kabul and Kunduz.
"I'm scared, who cannot be scared of a Taliban attack? If the foreigners leave, we don't have anything," said the young Tajik soldier, who has another three years to serve before he can leave the army.
"Most of us are scared because we just come to get money. We're scared to get in front of the bullet," added the Hazara soldier.
"A lot of soldiers take vacation and never come back. Without the Marines' help we cannot look after Musa Qala. And because of the national ethnic problems, I think the army will remain weak."
US Marine commanders say they are pleased with the progress of the soldiers they are training through daily lessons and joint patrols.
When the troops leave their base, the Marines lead the way while Afghan soldiers conduct searches of people and compounds.
But when the international forces do battle with the Taliban, Afghan soldiers take a back seat.
On one patrol, an Uzbek soldier summed up the despair felt by many of his brothers in arms.
"Non-Pashtun people have no value here. What can I do?" he said. "How can our country be built if things go on like this?"
Link to Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ix6_E0ebrinN05bxP-CFnPz1ADsg?docId=CNG.9b3734321ed62d26cc8b8df2670a9dc0.141
MUSA QALA, Afghanistan — Disgruntled Afghan soldiers dish out five-dollar dinner plates of fried rice and potatoes to US Marines at a camp on the frontline against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.
This culinary sideline, which supplements the US forces' spartan rations, helps the Afghans save enough cash to bribe their commander to give them time off to see their families, the men say. Some never return.
Speaking in secret afterwards, the Afghan troops told AFP that because they are ethnic minorities in the country's Pashtun-heavy army, bribery is the only way they can make sure their Pashtun commander gives them a break.
"The commander tells us, 'search your pockets'. If somebody gives him money, he can take vacation. I don't have any money so I can't go," said one soldier, a 20-year-old ethnic Hazara man.
"As a non-Pashtun, I'm cheap. I'm not as valuable to them (the army) as a Pashtun soldier," added a Tajik, who like others requested anonymity for fear of retribution.
The situation is sapping morale among young recruits at a small base in the Musa Qala district of volatile Helmand province, a highly dangerous area and one of Afghanistan's main Taliban flashpoints.
This is just one of the issues dogging Afghanistan's 150,000-member national army, whose strength is key to the plan for international troops gradually to withdraw and hand responsibility for security to Afghan forces by 2014.
A report from respected NGO International Crisis Group in May said today's Afghan army was "incapable of fighting the insurgency on its own", highlighting ethnic factionalism, illiteracy, drug addiction and desertion.
Its research found that Pashtuns and Tajiks -- thought to make up 42 and 27 percent of all Afghans respectively -- dominate the officer ranks, while Hazaras, Uzbeks and other groups remain under-represented at that level.
General Mohammad Zaher Azimi of the Ministry of Defence said that the Afghan National Army (ANA) was ethnically balanced and that it would not stand for any discrimination in the ranks.
"We are not aware of any mistreatment of soldiers from one ethnic group by officers from another ethnic group, or officers taking bribes to give soldiers leave," he told AFP.
"But we will investigate these reports and if we find out they are true, we will take proper measures to solve them. We will not tolerate any kind of discrimination in the national army."
Feelings of alienation do not help fire up the young recruits for their job, which many admit they find frightening and only stick with for the relatively decent wage of 280 US dollars per month.
Dangers lurk both on and off the battlefield -- Taliban attacks on army targets in Afghanistan's towns and cities are frequent, with nine troops killed in one day last month in Kabul and Kunduz.
"I'm scared, who cannot be scared of a Taliban attack? If the foreigners leave, we don't have anything," said the young Tajik soldier, who has another three years to serve before he can leave the army.
"Most of us are scared because we just come to get money. We're scared to get in front of the bullet," added the Hazara soldier.
"A lot of soldiers take vacation and never come back. Without the Marines' help we cannot look after Musa Qala. And because of the national ethnic problems, I think the army will remain weak."
US Marine commanders say they are pleased with the progress of the soldiers they are training through daily lessons and joint patrols.
When the troops leave their base, the Marines lead the way while Afghan soldiers conduct searches of people and compounds.
But when the international forces do battle with the Taliban, Afghan soldiers take a back seat.
On one patrol, an Uzbek soldier summed up the despair felt by many of his brothers in arms.
"Non-Pashtun people have no value here. What can I do?" he said. "How can our country be built if things go on like this?"
Link to Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ix6_E0ebrinN05bxP-CFnPz1ADsg?docId=CNG.9b3734321ed62d26cc8b8df2670a9dc0.141
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The story of Rupananda from Bamiyan
Double click to open the following link to read the story in Pdf formate:
http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/bot/pdf/bot_12_01_02.pdf
http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/bot/pdf/bot_12_01_02.pdf
The Story Of Bamiyan Buddhas - how marvels were created and massacred
It’s almost a decade the World’s tallest standing Buddha’s statues of Bamiyan were obliterated…An incident which can't be justified on any account . It's inherent human nature to create and destory...
Ancient archaeological remains have been thrust into the cruel world of today's seemingly endless conflicts — the ever-changing aims and alliances of international politics, religions dueling on the world stage, and the ironic trade-off of providing aid to conserve the material heritage of the past but not to preserve the lives of modern inheritors of that past. Arrayed against the tolerant and measured messages of Buddhism, the quagmire of the "Bamiyan Massacre" was perplexing at best.
In the center of Afghanistan, the town of Bamiyan, situated ca. 200 km NW of Kabul at an altitude of approximately 2500 meters, is considered an oasis in the center of a long valley that separates the big chains of Hindu Kush Mountains. Bamiyan functioned as one of the greatest Buddhist centers for nearly five centuries. It's a place of open fields and sky, with a long, rich history - evidences of which were destroyed even before scholars could start understanding it fully.
The valley, at an altitude of 2,500 m, follows the Bamiyan River. Some 1,500 years ago, the valley was a busy node on the trade route between China and India, in a part of Asia where languages and religions -- Buddhism, Hinduism and, later, Islam – coexisted. It was inhabited and partly urbanized from the 3rd century BC.
It was also home to a great Buddhist monastic center, one that nurtured epoch-changing religious concepts and produced a fantastic new art, including the world's largest rock-carved figures of the standing Buddha. Among the tallest standing Buddhas in the world, the Bamiyan, Afghanistan Buddhas stood 53 meters (175 feet) and 34.5 meters tall. These two big standing Buddha statues and a small of a seated Buddha were carved out of the sedimentary rock of the region. They were begun in the second century A.D. under the patronage of Emperor Kanishka and probably finished around the fourth and fifth centuries A.D.
The Statue Stood the Barabrism of Genghis Khan but couldn't Stand the Modern Barbarism of taliban ...
The larger statue (upper image) was 55 metres (175 feets) high and it was carved at the western end of the cliff-face. It was painted in red and it is thought to represent Vairocana in whom the entire universe is encompassed, and in their stupendous scale, this immensity is made literal.
The smaller statue (lower image) was ca. 38 metres (115 feet) high and it was situated at the eastern end of the cliff. It was painted in blue and probably represents Buddha Sakyamuni. The two colossi must once have been a truly awesome sight, visible for miles, with copper masks for faces and copper-covered hands
The two large Buddhas were cut in deep relief directly from the rock. The surrounding cliffs were honeycombed with dozens of small caves, dug out either as monastic residences or for rituals. Many caves, along with the niches around the Buddhas, were covered with murals, now largely damaged or missing.
In 16th century CE, the site is reported to have contained some 12,000 caves, forming a large ensemble of Buddhist monasteries, chapels and sanctuaries, along the foothills of the valley. A preliminary geophysical exploration in 2002 has indicated the presence of ancient roads and wall structures. In several of the caves and niches, often linked with communicating galleries, there are remains of wall paintings. There are also remains of seated Buddha figures.
The art is a compendium of ancient styles, from India, Persia and Gandhara, where Greco-Roman-inspired traditions survived. Along with its stylistic dynamism, Bamiyan statues reflect major shifts in Buddhism itself. For centuries, the Buddha was revered as a human figure, but with time he came to be seen as a transcendent being and icon. These towering, transcendental images were key symbols in the rise of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, which emphasized the ability of everyone, not just monks, to achieve enlightenment.
For centuries they gazed benevolently from their mountain homes as wars raged across the Afghan plains in central Bamiyan province. Hewn into the cliffs in the sixth century by Buddhist pilgrims on the famed Silk Route, the statues had survived attacks by several Muslim emperors down the ages, while even Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan had spared them. Based on present practices using only hand labor and simple tools, the statues could have been craved in a few decades. But the two massive Buddha statues have become casualties, destroyed by command of the Afghan Taliban in early March 2001 in a week time.
In 1998, a Taliban commander fired grenades at the smaller statue, knocking off its upper half. The Taliban bombed the mountain above the statues frequently, cracking the niches that held the statues and damaging the colossi further. By winter 2001, pleas were raining down on the Taliban from around the world to spare the statues. Pleaders included the Buddhist Thai monarchy and Sri Lanka, itself home to a set of giant Buddha statues. “Unesco, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and a leading Islamic scholar in Cairo were also among those begging the Taliban not to carry out their threat to the Bamiyan statues and other Buddha images in museums across the country,” wrote Barbara Crossette in The New York Times.
But, to no avail.
On Feb. 26, 2001, the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar with the backing of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda movement, declared that “these idols have been gods of the infidels” and ordered them destroyed. Defying international appeals, the Taliban spent a month using first anti-aircraft guns and then dynamite to obliterate them. By early March, the statues were rubble.
That sight is now retrievable only when pieced together from material evidence. And evidence, at Bamiyan and elsewhere in Afghanistan, may be going fast. The fate of thousands of precious objects in the Kabul Museum, one of the most important collections in Asia, is unknown. Among its treasures are the priceless Begram ivories, pocket-size carvings that in art-history terms have a weight as ponderous as the Bamiyan colossi.
Today those open, cold caves are used primarily by refugees from Afghanistan's brutal, internal war.
The world community — from Russia to Malaysia, Germany to Sri Lanka, and, of course, UNESCO — has expressed horror at the Buddhas' destruction. Many Mullahs in Islamic countries condemned Mullah Omar's interpretation as wrong-headed and damaging to the image of Islam.
It is fitting that in his previous lives, as recorded in Jakata Tales, the Buddha often sacrificed himself, becoming food for a tiger and her cubs, for instance, and for a hungry hawk chasing a pigeon. But while the Buddha had learned to accept impermanence, we mortals couldn’t ……
The New Findings
Graphic Showing On Going Excavation at Bamiyan
After the destruction of the Buddhas, 50 caves were revealed. In 12 of the caves wall paintings were discovered. In December 2004, Japanese researchers stated the wall paintings at Bamiyan were painted between the 5th and the 9th centuries, rather than the 6th to 8th centuries, citing their analysis of radioactive isotopes contained in straw fibers found beneath the paintings. It is believed that the paintings were done by artists travelling on the Silk Road, the trade route between China and the West.
It is believed that they are the oldest known surviving examples of oil painting, possibly predating oil painting in Europe by as much as six centuries.
On 8 September 2008 archeologists searching for a legendary 300-metre statue at the site of the already dynamited Buddhas announced the discovery of an unknown 19-metre (62-foot) reclining Buddha, a pose representing Buddha's passage into nirvana.
Link to Source: http://dilipkumar.in/articles/travel/the-story-of-bamiyan-buddhas-how-marvels-were-created-and-massacred.html
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Plan "B" for Afghanistan
Double Click to open following link and read Foriegn Affair article in Pdf formate:
http://www.trilateral.org/download/file/Blackwill%20FA%20-%20Plan%20B%20in%20Afghanistan.pdf
We like to know your thoughts....leave a comment on the subject...
http://www.trilateral.org/download/file/Blackwill%20FA%20-%20Plan%20B%20in%20Afghanistan.pdf
We like to know your thoughts....leave a comment on the subject...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)