When we cast our votes for our futures and for our children we chose you two—Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Mr. Ashraf Ghani—as the best among all the candidates. You two were elected to lead. You both can be winners if you think about your nation of Afghanistan and work together.
Democracy in Afghanistan is still an infant; please don’t allow it to be destroyed. Please don’t let our people again become refugees, our children orphaned and our women widowed as men go to war killing their brothers. We Afghan people don’t have choices. Please respect our dreams, as we trust and respect you.
You know that Afghan people are struggling with many problems. The economy is very poor; every day we hear on the news that the budget of Afghanistan is zero. This means famine and hunger in 2014. This is the dark night of 2014. Afghan people are in danger. There is killing and kidnapping on every street and road. Corruption is rising. People taking bribes are stealing our national capital.
Please become our moon that lights the way. All our hopes rest with you. Afghanistan is one country and one nation, not many nations. You are the sons of this country; we believe you can bring us peace and security. Don’t paralyze the hardworking international society that brought friendship and brotherhood to us. You can make history by bringing a message of peace.
Our children have dreams of going to school in a secure country where they can feel kite season in the spring. Every day when I go to my job, I despair of the future and what my son’s future will be. How will children grow up alongside horror and killing? Mothers like me carry all the responsibilities of their children alone.
See what has happened in your country. You are Afghan, and our elected leaders. By working together, you both can win.
By Nasima
Photo by US Embassy Kabul
A thoughtful essay, Nasima. Your emphasis on your hopes for your children’s future is just beautiful–and right on. Politicians are often more worried about their careers or the glory they seek than they are about the people they purport to serve. Perhaps if more politicians were mothers. . . Thank you for sharing your voice. Rebecca
Dear Nasima,
I love that you address the two leaders directly in this essay. And I love this line: “Please become our moon that lights the way.” Thank you for writing this, my prayer is that they will listen to your eloquent and heartfelt words.
Sincerely, Kat
Dear Nasima:
exactly it is the biggest concern of our people and all hope that the result should be announce, the people really become tired and they are living in trouble, as I heard Afghanistan lost 12 milliard dollars during this election so it is bad experience for Afghanistan, the security is in danger badly as today also we were witnessed for an explosion in Masood Square, every moment is danger, so we hope the result should announce and our country rest in peace.
Nasima — This is a strong essay about the necessity of coming together to solve the problems of your country. I hope these two powerful men will hear your call — and the call from other Afghans — for unity and can set aside their individual desires. You said it best when you wrote: “Please become our moon that lights the way. All our hopes rest with you. Afghanistan is one country and one nation, not many nations. You are the sons of this country; we believe you can bring us peace and security.” Thank you for these wonderful words of wisdom. Best wishes always, Nancy
I was deeply moved by all of this essay, Nasima. You have a way of saying your thoughts, of asking of your audience–this case, Dr. Ghani and Dr. Abdullah–questions that are clear as water. Everything you ask for your country, for your son, for you, you deserve. Thank you for being brave to ask, and to share. Stacy