Ahmad Shah Massoud's views - part 2 - historic speech against Taliban in mosque
This is the second part of Ahmad Shah Massoud's views, which is on of his most famous speech against the Taliban. The first part of Ahmad Shah Massoud's views with a full analysis of them can be read here.
This speech is the transcript of a recorded speech on video. Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud (1 Sep 1953 - 9 Sep 2001) delivered a speech against the Taliban in front of people in a mosque in Panjshir.
Contents
1) Transcript of Ahmad Shah Massoud's historic speech in mosque
2) Lessons from Massoud's historic speech against the Taliban
3) Essence of Massoud's historic speech against the Taliban
4) Lessons for the National Resistance Front (NRF)
1) Transcript of Ahmad Shah Massoud's historic speech in mosque
In today's episode, from the various incidents that have
happened to you and us, one incident is this incident. According to my
understanding and my calculation, a more dangerous situation occurred for us
last year. Last year, people were optimistic about the Taliban. Last year, the
people (Afghans) were looking at the Taliban as the symbol for peace, security
and justice. Last year, people thought that the Taliban would be the savior and
would save Afghanistan from this misery. And groups of troops joined the
Taliban without a single bullet, while this year, there was no talk about that
(defection).
This year, wherever the Taliban's unfortunate footsteps
reached, men and women took up arms and went to the mountains. No one was
willing to surrender to this disgrace and submit to this humiliation by the
Taliban. They understood that they (Taliban) are people without culture,
religion, morality, conscience; they are people who have sold themselves to
foreigners, (and are) in the hands of foreign agents, in opposition to Islam,
against Islam, in the name of Islam they are used by someone else. When they (Afghan
people) were capable, they confronted them, else they went to the mountains.
And in this way, not only inside of the country but also outside, at an
international level, people became familiar with the true face of the Taliban.
Officials of various countries announced that even if the
Taliban takes over the whole of Afghanistan, because it (Taliban) is in the
hands of a foreign country, although they do not explicitly mention the name of
Pakistan, Afghanistan is occupied by a foreign country, (They say,) “We,
European countries, won’t recognize it (the Taliban regime).” Believe me, we
and you, who are with the truth, praise be to God, we understand ourselves to
be with truth, rationally we understand ourselves to be with truth: we are from
this country, and are in this country, we didn’t go to Punjab, we didn’t go to
Peshawar, we are on the path of truth, and thus there is no need to explain
more about it.
When we are with truth, it is not like this that we may face
difficulties like the ones that happened in the past. (We are) people who are
with truth, who stand up (for our rights), who practice piety, and who are
all according to the noble verse (of the Holy Quran): “In the name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Do not falter or grieve, for you will be
victorious, if you are true believers.” (3:139) If we truly believe, if we have
complete faith, observe Islamic ethics, remove (from our hearts) fear,
cowardice, fear of death, consider surrender to the enemy as a disgrace, are
united, by God, few Punjabis are with it (Taliban), the world won’t back it.
Against a determined people no one can stand.
Let’s make an oath (right now), this decision, brother: If I
am alive, I live as a man, I live as a mujahid and if I die, I die as a man,
next to hundreds of martyrs who are buried here. If you say, you won’t be a
martyr, according to the fatwa of the great scholars, if you get killed by
Taliban (in battle) you are a martyr and if you kill the Talib (in battle) you
will be the judge.
The Talib is a rebel, a mercenary, the enemy of Islam and
the people.
This is my personal decision: I will have a gun with me. I
will defend Islam, my homeland, against the Pakistani mercenary and the
uncultured Taliban, and will shoot him.
You, they young and old people, the stone and wood of
Panjshir, history of this land are witness that the people of Panjshir, the
Mujahideen of Panjshir, in the most difficult historical conditions, against
the worst enemies of Islam and the homeland, thank God, have shown their
steadfastness and resilience. You faced the Khalqis (Afghan communists), you
faced the Russians, the strongest army of Russia attacked this valley. Russian
generals and marshals were planning for days what to do in relation to this valley
and the defeat of this valley. Thank God, it was the grace of God, that the
resistance and defiance of the women, men, and stone and wood of Panjshir that
made all the Russian plans fail at that time. And you can see the books that
Russian generals wrote, a big part of them are complaints about Panjshir.
And after it, it was the grace of God, that God chose you to
overthrow (ex-president) Najeeb (Mohammad Najibullah), and transferred power
from the communists to Muslims. And you, the Mujahideen and you people, became
victorious in this battle.
The international conspiracies increased and more than the
international conspiracies our own desires became dangerous. If not in our
beliefs, in our manners and in our character came negative effects, (thus) God
subjected us to a severe test. But despite that, it was because of you (that
the Taliban failed), else the whole place would be taken by the Taliban. The
Taliban was stopped before the entry of Panjshir, took losses and was forced to
retreat. And once again, the people understood that there are people who can
withstand against the (Pakistani sponsored) Taliban. And again a new phase
began.
Later, you saw that the enemy reached Takhar and raised its
flag in Nahrin. It blocked the road in Khanjan. Salang, which is next to us,
unfortunately found a problem, in Panjshir and in the north. With trust in God,
praying before God, the decisive determination of the nation, steadfastness,
you saw how God has given us victory (against all this). It was because of that
victory that the sufferings that existed also during the Kabul government were
forgotten by the people and they have started to believe again that these
people of Panjshir are really the ones that God has bestowed mercy upon.
Panjshir has reemerged as a center of resistance and revolution has been
created from there.
2) Lessons from Massoud's historic speech against the Taliban
This speech
by Ahmad Shah Massoud provides valuable insights into the socio-political
landscape of Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban. Here are some key
takeaways:
1) Shifting Public Perception of the Taliban: Massoud highlights a crucial turning point. Initially, the Taliban were perceived by many Afghans as a force for good – bringing peace, security, and justice after years of conflict and instability. This initial optimism led to defections and a relatively easy expansion of Taliban control. However, this perception changed dramatically.
2) Taliban's True Nature Exposed: Massoud argues that the Taliban's actions revealed their true nature – a lack of culture, religion, morality, and conscience. He accuses them of being foreign agents (specifically mentioning Pakistan), manipulated to act against Islam itself. This realization led to widespread resistance, with men and women taking up arms.
3) International Condemnation: Massoud points to a growing international awareness of the Taliban's problematic nature. He notes that foreign governments, while not explicitly naming Pakistan, recognized the Taliban's dependence on foreign influence and refused to recognize their regime, even if they controlled the entire country.
4) Call to Resistance Rooted in Faith and National Identity: Massoud rallies his followers by emphasizing their righteousness, their connection to the land, and their faith. He uses a Quranic verse to inspire courage and faith in ultimate victory. He contrasts them with the Taliban, whom he accuses of being mercenaries and enemies of Islam.
5) Legacy of Panjshir Resistance: Massoud draws on the historical legacy of Panjshir, highlighting its successful resistance against the Soviet invasion and the subsequent role in overthrowing the communist regime. He reminds his audience of their past victories and their capacity to withstand powerful enemies. He emphasizes that the resolve of the people of Panjshir had stopped the Taliban's advance, proving that resistance was possible.
6) Critique of Internal Weaknesses: While praising the resistance, Massoud also acknowledges internal weaknesses that contributed to the challenges faced. He notes the negative impacts on beliefs, manners, and character, leading to a "severe test." This self-criticism suggests an awareness of the need for internal reform and unity.
7) Focus on Pakistani Interference: A recurring theme is the accusation that the Taliban are mere puppets of Pakistan. This is a crucial element of Massoud's rhetoric, framing the conflict not just as a civil war, but as a fight against foreign occupation and interference.
3) Essence of Massoud's historic speech against the Taliban
In essence, the speech is a call to arms, a motivational address designed to galvanize resistance against the Taliban by:
- Debunking the Taliban's image: Exposing their perceived hypocrisy and foreign allegiance.
- Invoking religious and nationalistic
sentiments: Uniting the people under a common cause.
- Reminding them of their history of successful resistance: Instilling confidence and hope for victory.
The speech provides a valuable historical perspective on the early days of the Taliban's rise to power and the factors that contributed to both their initial success and the subsequent resistance they faced. It also reveals the deep-seated concerns about foreign interference in Afghanistan, a recurring theme in the country's history.
4) Lessons for the National Resistance Front (NRF)
Today's NRF can learn several lessons from Ahmad Shah Massoud's speech:
1) Empowerment through Identity: Massoud uses the collective identity of his audience – as Panjshiris, mujahideen, and Afghans – to rally them behind a shared cause. The NRF could similarly leverage collective identities to build unity, inspire action, and create a sense of belonging.
2) The Importance of Faith and Values: Massoud's speech emphasizes the role of faith in giving courage and direction.
Today's NRF could tap into the values and beliefs of its members to create a
stronger sense of purpose and motivation.
3) The Power of History and Legacy: Massoud draws heavily on the historical legacy of Panjshir, using stories of past victories to boost confidence and morale. The NRF could draw inspiration from its own history, highlighting successes and achievements from the past to motivate its members for future actions.
4) The Need for Unity in the Face of Adversity: Massoud's speech is a call for unity in the face of adversity – against a common enemy that threatens their way of life. Today's NRF could focus on building unity and solidarity among its members, emphasizing the importance of shared goals and values in overcoming challenges.
5) The Dangers of Internal Weaknesses: Massoud acknowledges the negative impacts of internal weaknesses, such as corruption, greed, or fear. The NRF could learn from this by recognizing potential internal threats and taking proactive measures to address them.
6) The Importance of Strategic Communication: Massoud's speech is a masterful use of rhetoric, using vivid imagery, emotional appeals, and powerful symbols to convey a unified message. Today's NRF could study the principles of effective communication, including the use of storytelling, symbolism, and inclusive language.
7) The Role of External Enemies in Mobilizing Resistance: Massoud frames the conflict against the Taliban as a fight against foreign occupation and interference, tapping into a deep-seated sense of national pride and resilience. The NRF could analyze situations where external enemies or threats to national security have mobilized resistance in the past, learning from these strategies to inspire resistance in the face of external challenges.
8) Empathizing and Unifying with Different Strata: Massoud addresses both young and old, men and women, to unify all under one banner. The NRF can follow suit by recognizing and embracing the diversity and complexity of its members, creating inclusive narratives that speak to different experiences and aspirations.
By studying Ahmad Shah Massoud's speech, today's NRF can develop a deeper understanding of the power of identity, faith, history, and unity in inspiring collective action and mobilizing resistance.
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