Zealous Afghans
Ah, the Taliban. They're flying high. Patience is just one of their virtues. That one, allied with resilience and determination will get them what they desire. They are now celebrating the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Chortling that the Americans will soon have a heaping plateful of that humble pie.It is, after all, Afghanistan's heritage, that that destitute country of traditional Islamism, militarily invaded time and again throughout its history has been able to fend off and send their would-be conquerors back whence they came, defeated.
NATO forces and the United States are desperately doing what they can to train 350,000 Afghan military and national police, mentoring them with the purpose of leaving them in 2014 able to defend their country.
And who will they defend their country from, other than those of their own tribes, speaking their own language, worshipping the same religion, and accepting that the country will persist as it always has, under the aegis of warlords and the Taliban, all growing wealthy from the opium trade.
And the people, well, they will return to their downtrodden status, a situation they are well accustomed to, for they too resent the presence of foreigners, infidels, those with customs that are repulsive to the values of Afghans.
Women and children may be sorry to see the Westerners leave, but they will have to accommodate themselves to the reality of their world which has always oppressed them, thanks to the cultural interpretations of their religion. Illiteracy, ill treatment, lack of opportunities bespeak their futures.
Already the government has taken steps to welcome back the Taliban. The Ministry of Culture and Information claiming complaints from members of parliament and ordinary Afghans made it imperative that they instruct media personnel to reflect the country's heritage and values. "All female news presenters must avoid heavy makeup and wear a head scarf", women have been cautioned.
They are under no illusions, knowing full well what lies in store for them, after the all-too-brief period of social freedoms occasioned by NATO and ISAF forces. "We have concerns, fears, that this pressure is the beginning of media limitation and this because of the Taliban. They are paving the way for them."
Women's rights, bare as they were, short as the time was, are being restored to what they were. As chattel, lesser being than males, and powerless to do but obey. Discreetly covered, not to be seen in public. The very concept of women's rights is alien.
"Selfish Americans must learn a lesson from ... the Russian defeat and no longer fight a meaningless battle with zealous Afghans and take their invading forces out as soon as possible", read a statement emailed to media.
Labels: Afghanistan, Islamism, NATO, Sexism, Traditions
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, February 16, 2012
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