Bardia Moein: “Afghanistan Culture is Migrating, and Society is Nothing But a Corpse

According to Kokcha News Agency, Baztab-e Naw News Agency (BNN) launched today with a magnificent ceremony in Istanbul. The media outlet, which has declared its goal to reflect the realities of Afghanistan and the region without censorship, hosted prominent cultural and civil society figures. Following speeches by Ariana Saeed and Muslim Shirzad, sociologist and analyst Bardia Moein addressed the critical state of Afghan culture and society.

 Bardia Moein: Our Double Responsibility in Exile

In the opening of his remarks, Bardia Moein delivered a poignant statement: “Our culture is migrating.” He added, “Those of us in exile, whether we wanted it or not, have a double responsibility: a moral responsibility and a social responsibility. Within the discourse of exile, we must seek to preserve our culture and values, our rightful citizenship rights, and especially the rights of women in Afghanistan.”

Emphasizing loyalty to human values, the sociologist warned: “If we are not loyal to human values, freedom of speech, and women’s rights, we must question our own humanity. So, what do we want to be loyal to? How long will we remain captives of political brokering? How long must we remain silent and appease others? These are red lines; ethically and conscientiously, we must stand by them and pay the price.”

Praise for Diaspora Media and the Role of BNN

Bardia Moein highlighted the vital role of media established in exile, stating: “Fortunately, the media outlets built in exile over these years, apart from adhering to journalistic principles, are loyal to human values and women’s rights. Outlets like ‘Amu’, ‘Afghanistan International’, and now new agencies, are significant achievements. The voice of this media must necessarily be democratic.”

He added, “Supporting media outlets like BNN, which are working on the path of developing freedom and women’s rights, is a conscientious and ethical duty for all of us, and there should be no obstruction whatsoever against their voice.”

Dark Image of the Situation Inside Afghanistan: A Society That Has Become a Corpse

Another part of Bardia Moein’s speech was dedicated to describing the suffocating situation inside the country. With a bitter tone, he said: “Unfortunately, today inside Afghanistan, voices are cut in the throat, and censorship prevails. The throats of Afghan women are voiceless, and values have been destroyed. Society is lost; what lies before us is a corpse.”

Criticizing those solely seeking political power, he clarified: “We do not need only political sovereignty; we are seeking the restoration of our culture and our true social rights. We should not be chasing political deals in this country or that country, only to return to power tomorrow and forget all our values.”

Call for a Democratic Alliance

Concluding his speech, Bardia Moein identified “civil and discursive struggle” as the solution to the current situation, stating: “You do not go to war against tyranny with tyranny; you do not go to war against ideology with ideology. You go to war against oppression with expression and dialogue. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us in exile—whether cultural activists, political activists, artists, filmmakers, or media professionals—to come together in a democratic alliance.”