Not craving how Anne encounters
her agitating longing for Peter in the Secret Annex (Diary of Anne Frank), like
one of those rare days, I log into Facebook account early Sunday morning to
escape my somnolence. Inconspicuously scrolling in topsyturvy gesture
perceiving monotonous posts, images, news yet again less startled more retrieved
with a news from Bamyan (streamlining every – at times only – good news about
Hazaras & Hazaristan). Like a chandelier illuminating my room with partly
lifted curtains; like a cuckoo’s song perforating the heart cogently (hah, though
never saw one in Malaysia); the images of men watching ready-to-go girls on
bikes seemed like parapets protecting and defending soldiers in a trench.
her agitating longing for Peter in the Secret Annex (Diary of Anne Frank), like
one of those rare days, I log into Facebook account early Sunday morning to
escape my somnolence. Inconspicuously scrolling in topsyturvy gesture
perceiving monotonous posts, images, news yet again less startled more retrieved
with a news from Bamyan (streamlining every – at times only – good news about
Hazaras & Hazaristan). Like a chandelier illuminating my room with partly
lifted curtains; like a cuckoo’s song perforating the heart cogently (hah, though
never saw one in Malaysia); the images of men watching ready-to-go girls on
bikes seemed like parapets protecting and defending soldiers in a trench.
For many living in the west with hallow
understanding of Afghanistan totally unlikely, but for me utterly genuine. To
the world, Afghanistan is known an embroiled county with unending human rights
violation cases let alone women’s education, their participation in politics,
sports as likeable. “I thought Afghans are tall with slightly dark complexion
and seemingly muscled stature.” And many ignorantly perceived remarks and questions thrown on my face. Would I not get offended by the judgmental
impression of a client/customer I encountered 2 – 3 months back? Every intelligent
being (no exception to the Afghans) would but cheerfully made an attempt to
convince her. “… Not every part of Afghanistan is unsafe with aggressive people
(say) Hazarajat where girls go to school freely, with no forced marriage cases
(theoretically & practically true); we have women artists, singers, politicians
and athletes.” Was it loud & clear enough? But wait, how about this,
clicked my mind at the right time accompanied by my speaking ability, “Ma’am,
our girls ride bikes & run for the Olympics!” Relieved I made to the
following client/ customer.
understanding of Afghanistan totally unlikely, but for me utterly genuine. To
the world, Afghanistan is known an embroiled county with unending human rights
violation cases let alone women’s education, their participation in politics,
sports as likeable. “I thought Afghans are tall with slightly dark complexion
and seemingly muscled stature.” And many ignorantly perceived remarks and questions thrown on my face. Would I not get offended by the judgmental
impression of a client/customer I encountered 2 – 3 months back? Every intelligent
being (no exception to the Afghans) would but cheerfully made an attempt to
convince her. “… Not every part of Afghanistan is unsafe with aggressive people
(say) Hazarajat where girls go to school freely, with no forced marriage cases
(theoretically & practically true); we have women artists, singers, politicians
and athletes.” Was it loud & clear enough? But wait, how about this,
clicked my mind at the right time accompanied by my speaking ability, “Ma’am,
our girls ride bikes & run for the Olympics!” Relieved I made to the
following client/ customer.
Like it or not, dialogues start
with similar contexts at personal introduction in countries beyond our own. On
paper and in real, statistics speak volumes of human rights violation. Examples:
85% of women have no formal education or are completely illiterate, 50% of
girls are married or engaged at age 12, 80% of marriages in rural areas are by
the mercy of families or in other words,
“forcibly married”; in the most serious case, her testimony is worth ½ of a man
when it comes to prove her loyalty or claim justice. Demographic figures do
define nations, but can be as camouflage and shall be challenged. Sure enough,
courtesy to the Hazaras of Afghanistan (Bamyan in particular) showing the true
and modern picture of Afghanistan, who do not only open ways for their
socioeconomic contribution but also protect them at times of misery and
adversity.
with similar contexts at personal introduction in countries beyond our own. On
paper and in real, statistics speak volumes of human rights violation. Examples:
85% of women have no formal education or are completely illiterate, 50% of
girls are married or engaged at age 12, 80% of marriages in rural areas are by
the mercy of families or in other words,
“forcibly married”; in the most serious case, her testimony is worth ½ of a man
when it comes to prove her loyalty or claim justice. Demographic figures do
define nations, but can be as camouflage and shall be challenged. Sure enough,
courtesy to the Hazaras of Afghanistan (Bamyan in particular) showing the true
and modern picture of Afghanistan, who do not only open ways for their
socioeconomic contribution but also protect them at times of misery and
adversity.
The 13 years post war must have given us a lesson, we can survive with and by eachother not by or with international community. Women make around 50% of our nation of which some 1.5 million are widows (one of the highest in the world) due to 30 years war and post war conflicts. If our own assets don’t share their parts, how would international funds guarantee our future and those of our coming generations. We need to challenge the figures by making sure, Afghan women do make a change not on paper but in real. The Right to Ride is a single example of catalyst, where men assure its success but our country deserves a lot more…
It was a blessing to see men unloading bicycles and making “Girls
Bicycle Race” possible. I am utterly joyful starting a blissful week…
Bicycle Race” possible. I am utterly joyful starting a blissful week…
Jawad Jahid
