From Khost to Kunar: When the Taliban Remains Silent, Humanity Trembles

In Khost, the province from which Sirajuddin Haqqani – the symbol of suicide attacks and death-seeking – emerged, poisoned food was distributed at a charity event today, leaving over 130 people ill. In a place where the Taliban claims “complete security,” no call for investigation was made, no doctor took responsibility, and there was no sign of accountability.

Meanwhile, in Kunar, a province that has long been a victim of politics and Pakistani airstrikes, Pakistani warplanes destroyed people’s homes just days ago. And now, the earth shook, houses collapsed, and children were buried under the rubble. Yet, the Taliban did not even utter a word of protest – for how can one speak against the godfather who birthed and nurtured them?

This emirate is neither a protector of the people nor a sharer of their grief. During the earthquakes in Takhar and Badakhshan in 1997 and 1998, Mullah Omar, the former Taliban leader, mercilessly said, “This is the wrath of God because they did not pledge allegiance to us,” and even halted humanitarian aid.

Today, the same ideology is alive, but crueler, colder, and more heartless.

But we, the children of pain, stand in solidarity with the people of Kunar, with the wounded and the homeless. We seek forgiveness for the deceased, healing for the injured, and patience for the survivors – patience that even mountains do not possess.

And in the end, how beautifully said the great master of ethics, Saadi Shirazi – who, if alive today, might have said these words for this very moment:

“The children of Adam are limbs of one another,
For in creation, they are of one essence.

When one limb is afflicted with pain,
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.

You, who are indifferent to the suffering of others,
Do not deserve to be called human.”

Author:Abdul Khurasanii