Mustafa's Academic Journey

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Monday, Jan 15, 2018 Vol. 2, No. 82 Star Educational Society Weekly

Interstellar (adjective): situated or occurring between the stars; conducted, or existing between two or more stars Mustafa's academic journey A message from Ali Reza Yasa, Chairman and founder of Star Educational Society bout thirteen years ago, I first crossed paths with Mustafa Hussaini, Star’s current executive director, at our newly established B Branch. I found himA with messy hair and clothes, rolled up sleeves, and wearing the type of shoes commonly worn by militia members. He had a broad, hairy chest and Mazar-i- Sharif type clothes. His powerful arms and deeply tanned skin revealed how hard he had worked in the long summer days of Kabul. He was working as our new watchman and was sitting in front of B Branch gate, but was not sitting in a proper way. I exit- ed the taxi and took my heavy bag. I stood in front of him and said, “Who are you?” and he, with a very unhappy face, replied, “Who are you?” As the director and founder of Star Educational Society, I had never been responded to in such a way at my own schools. So I told him I was a teacher and I instructed him to change his clothes, wash his face and hair, trim his beard and mous- tache. I explained that Star is an academic language institute and Star staff members need to be good role models to help people to improve their lives. I told him that if he wants to work at Star, he must be disciplined and pay attention to his appearance. In the evening of that day, Mustafa went to my brother, Abdul Wahid, who was the office manager. Mustafa asked Abdul Wahid to clear up any money owed to him because he would not work as a watchman and cleaner at Star if other staff members were going to criticize and judge him. My brother tried to calm him down and explained that the person who had spoken trary to his age and others’ expectations for people who did not have a proper high ise of our future was limited to finding me- to him that morning was Mr. Changiz, the of him, he was very successful and quickly school diploma but could pass the exam nial, backbreaking, and degrading work founder and director of Star. The explana- finished one class after another. In the and earn an equivalency certificate from in the bakeries, poultry farms and open- tion satisfied him, and he agreed to stay. early stages of his English classes he asked the Ministry of Education. Participating in air brickmaking factories of Pakistan, and After that day, Mr. Mustafa came to me me to make him a consultant because he that exam gave Mustafa the opportunity to Iran. Our dreams were merely to put food and humbly asked if I could teach him Eng- was offering very fruitful ideas on how to pursue his higher education. on the plates of our children and our family lish. He confessed that his problem was elevate the standard of Star classes. After In 2014, Mustafa asked for my help to members. that he did not have a proper school educa- completing Level 4 class, he asked to be- register at Gharjestan University. He was Many years of hard work and burning tion, and he was worried whether he could come a teacher and teach a beginner class accepted at Gharjestan and recently grad- the midnight oil helped Mustafa to rise study English or not. Beginning that day, level. uated with his bachelors in business ad- above the destiny he once thought he was we sat from dawn to dark and discussed At the beginning of his teaching experi- ministration. Nowadays he is preparing for limited to. With democracy, a national our life stories. We shared many common ence, many students protested and did not the TOEFL exam and is dreaming of pursu- constitution, and a little bit of security, his values, wishing to help our deprived people want to study in his class because they saw ing an advanced degree from a university future changed, and he was able to rescue to educate themselves and learn English as him only as the watchman. But Mustafa’s outside the country. himself through education. With each step, a means to create better opportunities. We persistence, perseverance, hard work, and Mustafa is a stellar example of the he has expanded his dreams and reached both believed that these skills could help humility proved him an effective, and tal- people who have been able to reach dis- them. Today I tap Mustafa’s shoulder, connect people with international and na- ented teacher earning him the support and tant and seemingly impossible dreams af- shake his hand, and congratulate him for tional sources of income and improve their praise of many. ter the life-changing impact of becoming the hard-earned achievement of earning social, and economic mobility. In 2006, Mustafa decided to participate part of the Star family. The people in our his bachelor’s degree. I wish for him to Mustafa was highly self-motivated and in a high school equivalency exam that was generation are the products of war and reach all of his higher goals and to one day industrious. He started learning English offered by the French Government-sup- migration... the products of blood, fire and graduate with his master’s and PhD. Con- from the introductory Prep 2 class. Con- ported Isteqlal High School. The exam was smoke. There was a time when the prom- gratulations, friend. The Roses of Hope The Watchman Rattling Afghanistan's Stories My Grandmoth- I was walking through a gallery where I heard his name for the first time when powerful Etilaat Roz the walls I was in lever three class. Our class was er Told Me - 82 upstairs, left side, the third door with a newspaper exposes Were decorated with paintings... Many moons ago there was a severe corrutpion hail-storm over the village. broken cupboard... Page 2 Page 6 Page 5 Page 7 Vol.2, No. 82 Poetry The Roses of Hope I was walking through a gallery where the walls Were decorated with paintings. Each one depicted a single moment in time. I asked myself as I walked along the hall: Did the moment in each painting really exist?

But I stopped myself from asking questions, Even basic, innocent ones. Because we live a world, Where asking questions is a crime. Even breathing and being alive are crimes.

I stood before a dark painting colored by grief, Of a girl with a broken pitcher in her hands. I could read from the tears in her eyes that She was carrying love in that clay vessel, Enough love to water the roses of hope. About the poet: Reza Salehi is a Star alumnus and current Teacher at Sta Educational Society. He received his bach- Those roses that make hearts happier, elor’s degree in Geology an Mines from Kabul Polytechnic University. He loves English literature and wants to be an And turn all the cruelty to lasting kindness. English poet. He also wants to continue his education I could see in another painting a boy who was ashamed of abroad in future. himself Not because of being naked and hungry -- Because of being ignored by arrogant people.

Those arrogant people who see only Their own comfort and happiness. I wished to be a part of the painting, so I could tell him: You’re lucky because powerful feelings Are still shining through in your heart.

In that painting I saw the clenched hands of war, Holding all people’s lives tightly clasped. And people naively were waiting for mercy, But they didn’t know this one fact: War has no mercy for anyone.

When I saw the paintings in the gallery, I remembered my country, Afghanistan. We are being killed for nothing! I quickly passed to the next painting, Where there was no war.

There was no fear, no demons, and no crying faces. There was happiness, kindness and solidarity. The vibrant red roses of hope were sparkling. I saw the brilliant sun shining in all its glory, And I knew that someday it would shine in my country.

Page 2 JAN 15th, 2018 Community Vol.2, No. 82 Jim Crow Laws leading to mass incarceration breaking them should be avoided. Mass ing enough education can lead to less in- is crime. But, it is not true, because racial incarceration is the consequence of ignor- carceration and lack of education can lead segregation caused a lot of thing to hap- ing the laws, but mass incarceration or im- to imprisonment. Jim Crow Laws did not pen such as poverty and lack of education prisonment rate has increased in America give that much choice for color people to among color people that caused crimes. significantly in past decades. But what is educate themselves. A reason that leads to On other hand, some people are in prison the cause behind this rapid growth of mass mass incarceration can be education that without doing any serious crime which incarceration rate? Is it just because of color people could not get that because of leads to racial issues. people not acting according to what regu- Jim Crow Laws, as shown in this evidence: Jim Crow Laws were the laws that lations say? Several reasons defined to be ''A common thread through the American banned color people from doing things the causes of mass incarceration growth in incarceration system is a widespread in- equal to white people and as citizens. Col- USA. Racial discrimination is known as the mate education deficiency.''(Curley) Jim or people's education was limited. Color most considerable cause of imprisonment, Crow Laws suppressed color people and people did not get the opportunity to be but there are many forms of racial discrim- avoid them from having their rights as a productive member of the society. Lack ination such as: stereotypes about colored America's citizens. of education, poverty, and war on drugs people. In past, different types of racial Jim Crow Laws is the reason that mass are reason of high mass incarceration rate discrimination existed that lead to mass incarceration rate increased and increas- which all caused by Jim Crow Laws. Jim incarceration. Slavery, reign of terror, and ing now. Michelle Alexander told in her Crow Laws not only avoided people from Jim Crow laws are the time periods and speech on Fresh Air:'' Many of the gains of having their rights in society, but also dis- actions which were due to segregation be- the civil rights movement have been under- appeared them from public view by incar- tween white and colored people. Jim Crow mined by the mass incarceration of black cerating them. laws had the greatest impact on growth of Americans in the war on drugs.''(Legal mass incarceration rate. Scholar) In the new book by Michelle Al- Racism in general and Jim Crow laws exander, she writes about Jim Crow Laws specifically lead to mass incarceration. '' in present era. In this quote she mentions About the author: Masooma Mehr- People of color represents 60% of people in war on drugs. War on drugs started in 1971 joo is a Star alumna. She is currently cages.''(New) USA has the highest mass in- by President Nixon. In this time drugs a student of grade 10 at CNS High carceration rate in the world, which color were more crime issue than health issue School in North Syracuse, New York. people form 60% of incarcerated people. because it was a trap to incarcerate color She has a lasting passion for medical This is a high number which points direct- people. ( 13th Documentary) when talk- science. She wishes to be a medical sur- ly at racial discrimination. '' Black children ing to Fresh Air, Michelle Alexander added geon in future. In this essay Masooma were often pulled out school because they that although Jim Crow Laws are off the is giving a critical account of the on- were needed on the farm.'' ''Black teachers books but still millions of black people get did not receive as much training as white arrested for minor crimes and their rights going racism and its relation to mass teachers.'' ''There were limits on what and opportunities for being a productive incarceration. blacks could be taught in school. White citizen deny. (Legal Scholar) Though Jim school leaders did not want black children Crow laws are declined now but they ap- ''The United States is the world's leader to be exposed to ideas like equality and free- ply them on people without them knowing in mass incarceration.''(Criminal) every dom.'' (Adedapo, Kaplan, and Edd) these it. That is why the mass incarceration rate society faces different types of flaws when are three different quotes that convey one grows everyday. it comes to law and regulations. There are message: the lack of education between Some people see the other side and various kinds of issues that cause breaking color people is due to Jim Crow Laws. Jim believe that Jim Crow Laws did not lead law and regulations in a society. It is obvi- Crow Laws divested color people of their to mass incarceration. They think that ous that laws are for a better society and basic rights such as equal education. Hav- the cause of high mass incarceration rate Interstellar Volunteer Wins Essay Competition Sveto Muhammad Ishoq has volunteered as an the workplace and in education. They can in one society and have equality will have courages people to respect and help one editor and translator for the ROYA Online Writ- practice their rights and use any opportu- the better comprehension of each other’s another. ing Center and the Interstellar Bulletin. She is a nity without any discrimination or preju- culture, language, and background. It will To sum up, inclusion encourages senior at the American University of Afghanistan dice. People have the right to be heard and help people to enhance their knowledge people to fully participate in the society majoring in Business Administration. In the fall, she will be a Schwarzman scholar studying her share their views. of other’s culture and society, which also they live in without worrying about being master's in Global Affairs at the prestigious Tsin- Finally, another social benefit of inclu- helps them to prevent from being racist judged or discriminated against. It has sev- ghua University in Beijing, China. She was cho- sion is the better understanding of oth- and judging others without knowing any- eral social benefits such as diversity, equal- sen as the winner in a recently held essay writing ers. People from different places who live thing about other’s cultures. It also en- ity and comprehension of each other. competition organized by the Canadian Embassy with the theme “Diversity and Inclusion.” With her permission, we are publishing her winning essay.

Benefits of Social Inclusion Our planet Earth is filled with different people from different cultures, different backgrounds, and different languages. Inclusion is one of the things that need most attention today since it encourages full participation of people in the society regardless of their race, sex and culture. It means not discriminating against one another and accepting people the way they are. Inclusion has economic, cultural, civil and political, and social benefits. However, the social benefits encourage diversity; promote equality and helps in understanding others better. Diversity is encouraged by the inclusion. For example, if everyone will be able to live in the society and practice his or her culture, inclusion will be created. Conse- quently, people from diverse countries and cultures will be able to live in a society to- gether and happy. Equality is another benefit of the inclusion. If there is diversity, there is most likely to be equality. Citizens will be given equal rights and opportunities, such as in JAN 15th, 2018 Page 3 Vol.2, No. 82 News Why did Saudi Arabia and Qatar, allies of the US, continue to fund the Taliban after the 2001 war? Republished from: https://scroll.in/article/862284/why-did-saudi-arabia-and-qatar-allies-of-the-us-continue-to-fund-the-taliban-after-the-2001-war

Written By Antonio Giuztozzi

There was a major turning point for Tal- iban funding in 2005. As one Taliban leader put it, “The change came in 2005 because in that time support started again with us from foreign countries like Pakistan and Arab countries.” Although the Secretary of State Clinton did not refer to state funding in her 2009 leaked cable, she did mention the high level of private funding from Sau- di Arabia to the Taliban, despite repeated US engagement with the authorities of that country to get it cut. Off the record, Ameri- can diplomatic sources indicated that evidence exists of at least Saudi state support for the Taliban and other jihadist groups active in Afghanistan. Senior Taliban sources claim that state funding from Saudi Arabia started in 2005, while the Qatari authorities started funding the Taliban in 2006. Although still modest in comparison to the level reached by funding in later years, at this point external funding (Arab and Pakistani) consisted (according to sources in the Taliban’s financial structure) of several tens of millions of dollars, allowing for the insurgency to expand inside Afghani- stan. In 2005, the size of the Taliban insurgency started expanding at a much greater pace than previously, nearly doubling between 2004 and 2005. The funds that allowed that to happen must have come tend to point out how the performance of reason supported at times groups opposed Kabul (Baradar, Mansur, Ishaqzai) and an- from somewhere. allies and clients within the Afghan estab- to the Afghan government. The Pakistanis other of hardliners (Rahimi, Haqqani and These external “donors” to the Taliban lishment were judged as disappointing in among other things reportedly encour- Atiqullah). had decided to sponsor the Taliban insur- Tehran, from the perspective of pushing aged the Saudis to start supporting di- According to Taliban sources, the Qa- gency and refused to support other groups, Iranian interests in the country. rectly the Miran Shah Shura of the Taliban taris had consistently supported the Quet- such as Hizb-i Islami of Gulbuddin Hek- The other reason was pointed out by a (better known as the Haqqani network), ta Shura from 2006 onwards, even if their matyar. Instead they encouraged elements Saudi intelligence operative. The source bypassing the Quetta Shura and therefore level of support varied considerably from of Hizb-i Islami to join the Taliban in order indicated that it is a long-standing Saudi laying the ground for the Haqqani’s decla- year to year. During this period Saudi and to have access to funding. policy to extend support to all Islamic ration of autonomy from Quetta in 2007. Qatari plans also started diverging, as they “Pakistan and the Arabs did not sup- causes, in particular radical ones. As US support to the Afghan security forc- were doing in the Middle East. No lon- port the Shamshatoo Shura, because all In this the well-established Saudi strat- es started increasing noticeably in 2009 ger content to operate in the shadow, the the people in this shura were Hizb-i-Isla- egy, a key aspect is the desire of fostering and so started doing direct US involve- Qataris decided to raise their diplomatic mi. Therefore, Pakistan and the Arabs [...] financial dependency among Islamic fun- ment in Afghanistan, Pakistani requests profile and to use the leverage gained with were telling the Shamshatoo Shura, that damentalist and Islamist insurgencies. By for support to the Gulf monarchies also the Taliban in order to set off a reconcilia- we should join the Ijraya Shura of the Pe- supporting the Taliban, the Saudis would increased. tion process between them and the Kabul shawar Shura [of the Taliban] and after this acquire the ability to influence and to The Pakistanis lobbied the Saudis in government. In doing so, the Qataris also they would help us, so this was the reason some extent even control them. Although particular to start funding emerging sub- started diverging from Pakistani plans. At why we joined the Ijraya Shura. In that the source did not elaborate why, it is also divisions of the Taliban, such as the Mi- least according to a source in the Qatari in- time Shamshatoo Shura was very strong usually assumed that the Saudi monarchy ran Shah Shura (aka Haqqani network) telligence, the Qataris did what they could in the four provinces such as Kunar, Lagh- tries to consolidate its Islamic legitimacy and the Peshawar Shura, in part at the ex- to appease Taliban hardliners and in 2010 man, Nuristan, and Kapisa Provinces.” by supporting such causes. Such support pense of the Quetta Shura. These two shu- they even paid the Miran Shura in order to — Interview with senior member of the Pe- also prevents, or reduces the chance of, ras declared their autonomy from Quetta facilitate their co-optation into the “Doha shawar Shura, May 2015. radical Islamic groups turning their rheto- between 2007 and 2009. Taliban sources track” of the reconciliation process – the Why did the Saudis and the Qataris start ric against the Gulf monarchies. Although reported an increase in Saudi funding dur- Haqqanis were holding the American pris- supporting the Taliban insurgency at this such policy has been demonstrated not to ing this period. oner around whom the first phase of the time? In part it was a request of support by be always successful (see Al-Qaeda’s cam- Within the Taliban the Saudis, accord- reconciliation pre-talks rotated. However, the Pakistani authorities, which could not paign against the Saudi regime in 2002-3 ing to sources within the movement, had other Taliban were upset about not having afford to foot the full bill of maintaining and the Islamic State’s recent rhetorical close relations with key leaders of all three been consulted initially. an insurgency going inside Afghanistan. attacks against the Saudi monarchy), the main shuras of the Taliban: the de facto In 2011 and 2012, as the Peshawar Essentially, the Pakistanis offered friendly Saudis remain committed to it. leader of the Quetta Shura in 2004-10 and Shura protested its exclusion from the first and allied governments the chance to buy A wider rationale for the Saudis sup- close collaborator of Mullah Omar, Mullah round of Doha contacts, according to the a stake in the Taliban insurgency, accord- porting the Taliban might have also been Abdul Ghani Baradar, his successor Akhtar same source the Qataris also paid cash to it ing to both the Saudi and the Qatari intel- the belief that direct American interven- Mohammad Mansur, co-founders of the to foster its incorporation in the Taliban’s ligence sources. But there were at least two tion in the region was proving more de- Rahbari Shura Ihsanullah Rahimi and Gul Doha office. other reasons as well. The narrative pro- stabilising than anything else. The belief Agha Ishaqzai, Serajuddin Haqqani, leader While these Qatari approaches to hard- vided by a Qatari intelligence source high- that American pro-democracy rhetoric of the Miran Shah Shura from 2007 online Taliban cannot be confirmed because lights one of them: could eventually destabilise even the Gulf wards and son of the founder Jalaluddin of a lack of sources, it is clear however that “When they started operations against regimes or benefit regional rivals such as Haqqani, and Qari Atiqullah, one of the the idea of opening a political office for the the Afghan government and Americans, Iran (as it had been the case with the “de- founders and main leaders of the Pesha- Taliban in Doha proved controversial with they requested support from us and we mocratisation” of Iraq) is another likely war Shura. the Pakistani ISI, which tried to prevent accept their request. Because we have re- reason for the Saudis subscribing to the Of these Akhtar Mansur and Serajud- it. It also proved controversial with many lationship with them. At that time there Pakistani project in Afghanistan, not so din Haqqani are of major importance Taliban leaders, who had not been kept were a lot of people linked to Iran in the Af- much because the Saudis want the Ameri- because of the key role they were playing adequately informed of the plan. ghan Government so we wanted to weaken cans out, but because they feel the need within the Taliban. Akhtar Mansur got Finally, it proved unpopular with the them. Simply we were trying to finish this to counter-balance the consequences of himself elected leader of all Taliban in July Afghan authorities, which leaked the in- current government and prevent Iranian US intervention. Several other Arab Gulf 2015 (even if the claim has been widely dis- formation to the press, before the plan was influence from increasing in Afghanistan.” countries followed the Saudi track either puted) and Serajuddin became his deputy. made public. The first attempt to open The Saudi intelligence source also de- in order to buy their own stake, or to coun- Ihsanullah Rahimi and Gul Agha instead the Taliban office in Doha failed miser- scribed the basic Saudi aim in Afghanistan ter-balance Saudi hegemony. parted ways as the former aligned in 2015 ably, but negotiations ensued to make it as having in power an Islamic govern- During this period Saudi and Qatari with the opposition of Akhtar Mansur and more representative of the different fac- ment that would entertain good relations state funding to the Taliban appears there- the latter remains instead one of Mansur’s tions within the Taliban. It does not sound with Pakistan and hostile relations with fore to have been largely driven by Paki- closest allies. Following the trajectories of implausible that the Qataris might have Iran. The perception of a strong Iranian stani requests; there was little indepen- these leaders is revealing, as it will emerge reacted to the debacle by increasing their influence within the post-Bonn Afghan dent Saudi or Qatari effort to assess the below. For now it may suffice to note investment and extending payments to government had deep roots in the Gulf operation. The Saudis accepted to support that they were polarised between a group groups of Taliban who had felt initially ex- monarchies, even though Iranian sources Pakistani aims in Afghanistan and for that staunchly in favour of reconciliation with cluded. Page 4 JAN 15th, 2018 News Vol.2, No. 82 Rattling Afghanistan's powerful Etilaat Roz newspaper exposes corrutpion Paper punches considerably above its weight journalistically – but editor’s main preoccupation is how to pay the staff Written by Sune Engel Rasmussen and republished from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/03/rattling-afghanistans-powerful-etilaat-roz-newspaper-exposes-corruption

When his newspaper dropped its third “I have worked here for three years. huge exclusive of the year, proving that Af- Sometimes I wait four, five, six months ghan government officials had tried to dis- to get paid,” said Esmatullah Soroush, a criminate against ethnic minorities, Zaki politics reporter. But he said he added that Daryabi did not immediately worry about he wasn’t going anywhere. “Etilaat Roz retaliation. His first concern was how to belongs to us as well,” he said. Its break- pay his staff. through investigation earlier this year re- Etilaat Roz, or Daily Information, vealed how the president, Ashraf Ghani, punches above its weight. From a modest had allowed a conglomerate to buy gov- apartment office, Kabul’s smallest news- ernment land at a 90% mark-down in re- paper has rattled the establishment with turn for financial support in the 2014 elec- a string of scoops, exposing government tion. The article prompted parliament to nepotism and corruption. halt the sale. Eschewing the support from politicians In a story that created widespread out- and power brokers that most Afghan news- rage, the paper later published a leaked papers rely upon has ensured the paper document from the president’s office of editorial autonomy. But in a country with administrative affairs in which an official minuscule newspaper sales, the downside encouraged promotion of Pashtuns at the of such independence is a business that is expense of other ethnic groups. permanently on the brink of bankruptcy. Etilaat Roz is a torchbearer in the Af- Zaki Daryabi, the founder of Etilaat e Roz, scrolling through the day’s news “We never know if we’ll still be operating ghan media revolution that has taken place one evening at his office in Kabul. in three months,” said Daryabi, 29, the pa- since 2001, according to Lotfullah Na- per’s editor-in-chief. jafizada, head of TOLOnews, Afghanistan’s militants, which protects small papers about 6,000 afghanis ($87) for newspapers Despite a tenfold budget increase over largest 24-hour news station. “The quality such as Etilaat Roz, Najafizada said. “The it cost me $12,000 to make,” he laughed. the past two years, the paper struggles to of the work they do is something all read- sense of unity in Afghan media is some- Through a deal with a printing press, he keep up with its own ambitions and sus- ers benefit from. It helps Afghan media thing I haven’t seen anywhere else in the got off the ground again, this time focus- tain 20 staff including designers and a put more stuff forward. In the past, there world,” he said. “They know if they go af- ing on politics. The circulation soon grew cook. When the Guardian visited, the work was this tendency to wait for international ter Etilaat Roz, they don’t just go after one to 3,000 copies a day and the paper tapped day had got off to a slow start because of media to put things forward first and then paper.” into social media effectively. Its indepen- a lengthy power cut. In front of blackened follow,” he said. Daryabi was never in journalism for dence earned it a reputation as an outlet laptop screens, a handful of reporters As Afghan media has grown so has soli- the money. Starting out writing for a week- worth leaking to. swiped their smart phones for news. darity against pressure from officials and ly at university, he made $4 an article. He Now Daryabi and his staff revel in the founded the paper with a $12,000 gift from kind of laborious journalism that unfolds, two altruistic friends. The newspaper be- unglamorously, hunched over documents gan as an entertainment and business dai- and spreadsheets. By examining dozens ly, which Daryabi hoped would bankroll of ministries, embassies and consulates, his dreams of later publishing a newspaper Etilaat Roz recently documented how a dedicated to human rights. “There was no small clique of strongmen install family media publishing our generation’s ideas,” members in powerful positions, debunk- he said in between drags on a cigarette on ing government claims of breaking with the office balcony. “We wanted the new the country’s toxic dynastic politics. generation to become the new leaders of After each scoop, the staff scours na- Afghanistan. So we needed our own media, tional media to see how it is received. our own voice.” Within a year, the money There is little celebration. had run out and, as if to rub it in, Daryabi’s For now, he has to find the funds to mother took his stacks of unsold news- keep going. papers that clogged their house and sold “All of us decided: we will continue un- them to bakeries to wrap bread in. “She got til we can’t,” he said.

Distributors, mostly students, getting ready to deliver the day’s paper around the city.

Five hundred copies of the paper are sent to restive Ghazni Province every day by public transport. IAN 15th, 2018 Page 5 Vol.2, No. 82 Opinion The hidden conflicts behind the names Translated from the following website http://www.rawanonline.com/where_is_my_name/ Recently, a number of girls inside and "Afghanistan," for example, is a warning clear that the second should be the desir- "recognize the place."On the other hand, outside Afghanistan have started a cam- that the land belongs to the "Afghans"! able answer, because otherwise, such a religion plays a very important role in reli- paign called "Where is my name?". The Therefore, the names given by a person to campaign does not matter and is forgot- gious relations between men and women. campaign is protesting why, for example, people, places, and objects have meanings ten two days later. So the goal must be In our society, men are monopolistic in for women's name outside the house, that are important. The nominee, through identity and individual autonomy. This interpreting religion. All jurists, muftis, such as wedding invitations, fateha, doc- those indirect names, teaches to others means when the protester writes, "Where mullahs, and religious scholars are men. tor's copies, etc., people use terms such a what the person, place or object is and how is my name?" she basically asks where is Hence, it is not surprising that there are "sister of someone", "wife of someone", or they should deal with it. The other way is to her body? Where is her believes, where always justifying interpretations of men to why some women in social Medias are not completely remove the name of the place, is her job and her hobbies? ... Because justify themselves. allowed to use their own names. A num- object or the individual. For example, the name is only part of our identity, not Child, it might have been better to ber of men welcomed the campaign and Jamileh is not "Ghulam Haidar's wife", but all of them and in reality the identity of a mention this device before the other tool; expressed their sympathy and solidarity "siasar", or "weak". person consists of a set of factors such as becausedescendants are the most power- with the protesting women, naming their Here, the agent creates a larger dis- worldview, gender, physical appearance, ful weapons of men to deprive freedom families on social networks. However, is tance between himself and another. He beliefs, values, occupation of that person. of women. The woman must have an im- the name important? If it matters, why is himself is an independent person, but the The "Jamila", now known as "the wife of mediate child after the wedding. Men are it important?In Afghanistan, most men other is only one member of a group that Ghulam Haidar", has actually lost all of very frustrated here. To the extent that, if it refuse to mention the name of their wife does not have any kind of individuality. these factors after being conquered by Gh- took a few months and the housewife did or daughter, and instead they use family In this way, exploitation and domination ulam Haydar. She knows her God only by not get pregnant, in the shortest time, we relationships such as "daughter of some- by the other side are still easier and more men, and she has never been given the op- would find such a young couple in hospi- one" or "mother of someone" to introduce "justifiable". For this reason, it is used to portunity to know herself. Her worldview tals in India and Pakistan. A woman who female sex. Jamila and Ghulam Haidar's indicate that the word is used to describe is laid out by the man of her home. She has become afflicted has no time to em- wife, for example, are both names by which weakness. "The unable" should be defend- has no control over his body; she should power herself. She has no time to work we can identify a person. If we look at this ed" and "the weak" should be "protected". not laugh; she does not control the female and achieve economic self-sufficiency. issue from the perspective of most Afghan This is how; we find that the names are the parts of her body; her nature and her ca- The official rules are also very patriarchal men, we must certainly ask why he prefers vector of decisive meanings and powerful pabilities are defined by men; she does not in our country. A woman who asks for di- the "wife of Ghulam Haidar" to Jamila?The tools for displaying power. But we also find have the right to work in her favorite job, vorce, her children will be taken from her. answer to this question can be searched that the person, place or object named, has there is no right to choose and decide in Thus, economic dependence, separation and found at the beginning of the creation been conquered before it is named, and is her sexual intercourse, she is not entitled from children and patriarchal laws make before it can be found elsewhere. completely dominated by the name. to divorce . Only after the deprivation of the woman forced to remain under the According to the beliefs of Abrahamids "Ghulam Haidar's wife" is the same as these powers, a man can conquer such a domination of the man. As a result, men after creating Adam, God taught him the Jamila, which has now been conquered by woman and get her identity from her. Men, should know that mentioning the names names before anything else and then, by "Ghulam Haidar" and after this should be in societies like ours, have many tools of housewives in social networks alone is addressing the angels; Adam's superior- introduced or identified with such a name. to deny these powers, such as economic not a good answer to the question "where ity over other creatures, including the Now another question is whether the men power, religious monopoly and descen- is my name?" However, the conditions for angels himself, proved as follows: Trans- who are naming their families in response dants. Men in our communities are the women should be provided in such a way lation: And when we said to the angels to to the Campaign "Where is my name?", are only breadwinners of the house; they not that they achieve full autonomy and, as a prostrate before Adam, except Iblis who willing to give up their domination? Does only have any complaints about this but person, they are equal in all social and in- refused to prostrate due to pride, and be- the mention of those names mean recogni- strengthen the process by restricting the dividual affairs with men. came disbeliever, all other fell prostrate. tion of the independence of those women, working conditions for women too. "It's Here is the most important reason Allah or that there has been misunderstand- not good for a woman to work," or "work, gives the angels the supremacy of Adam, ing between protestors and those who yes, but women's work should not break his knowledge of the names. The reason responded to this objection?For a correct the warmth of the family," or even sexual for this is that naming a person, place, or answer to the above question, it is impera- harassment at work, these are all the tools something is a sign of dominance over it. tive that the protesters express their stance that men use in this gender-based conflict. Therefore, the kings and emperors of the clearly. Is the protesters' goal only to iden- Even in families where both husband and past, when they conquered a place, were tify "Jamila" as the wife of Ghulam Haydar, wife work; at home, the woman should trying to change the name of that place or "where is my name?" Is the struggle for cook for her husband after work, bring him to show who was the owner of that place. identity and individual independence? ItIs tea and wash his clothes - that is, she must The Watchman opened the door was no one except our dered. Nonetheless, I have created a huge In conjunction with his effort for getting classmate whose name was Nawroz, and dramatic picture about him in my mind; education, he also advanced his English he used to come 10 or 15 minutes late. His whenever I heard Mustafa’s name, I used language skills. Besides, he has graduated interruption made the teacher angry. He to imagine a man who is serious, harsh and with honors from a fine national universi- put the markers away and started advising disciplined, difficult to deal with. Couple of ty. There is a quote that says, “If you don’t him. He said, “I need to send you to Mus- years passed and didn’t get time to sit with like the road you are walking, start paving tafa.” “Mustafa? Who is he?” My classmate Mustafa and talk about his personal life till another one.” It is really true about Mus- asked. “Let me send you to his office then his graduation from university. A month tafa. He started paving a new path and he you would be able to know him.” Said the ago, I was scrolling down and up my Face- succeeded in doing so. On the other hand, teacher. book page; I was kept in an unprecedented there are many people of his age out there “Who is Mustafa?” I asked myself. Days awe with a long article on Ali Reza Yasa’s who are just passing their days hopelessly. and weeks passed but the name was still Facebook page. He had written a short Nonetheless, Mustafa is a real role-model in my mind. I asked my classmates about note on Mustafa’s graduation. I continued for new generation. A person who made him. He said that he had been the watch reading it without any hesitation. My para- his dreams come true. Although, he passed About the author: Emran Poya is a Star alumnus and a teacher at Star’s C Branch. He graduated man of the course but now he is upgraded digm about Mustafa has changed. Now, the hard days, he did hunt his free time for from Kabul University with a bachelor’s degree in and controls the discipline of the course. for me, he is the vigorous and patient man keeping his effort up and his future guar- computer science. In addition, he is an Educator Though, his height is short, he is very rig- who himself went for a change he wanted anteed. He could remain as a watchman of Computer and English at Marefat High School id and quite a good discipliner. In addi- to see in his future. “Mustafa, from the re- for the rest of his life, but he did not want and Director of GYPF Alumni Afghanistan. tion, he himself is a guy whose badges is cycled and waste bin box of history, in a it. He wanted to be the change, and change displayed always whenever you see him dream of getting education.” Yasa stated. maker. Now he has changed, and will be an inside the course’s yard. “May be he is up- It is not obvious for everyone like Mustafa, impact and agent of agent for many gener- I heard his name for the first time when graded from a Watchman to a regulator be- who did not study school. His dream and ations to come, he became the change that I was in level three class. Our class was up- cause of his cooperation and discipline.” I vision propelled him toward university he wanted to see in the world. stairs, left side, the third door with a bro- thought. Days passed and our semester and education. He received his school cer- ken cupboard. It was summer; the class ended. It was a very hot day, we were wait- tificate after passing the competitive test in has very big, but old windows. The warmth ing for our teacher to come and distribute Istiqlal High School (the test was held for of the wind could be felt when it blew to our result cards. The area was flooded with those who did not have the official diplo- the class through the white-old windows the students’ noise. We were counting the ma of school). His diligent and self-esteem of our class. We had grammar that day. But time and waiting for the teacher to get out mad this possible. I don’t remember exactly what grammar of the office. Our stress was abounding; a Mustafa, the watchman who has de- point we were studying. Our short height sturdy man with angry face came out of the cided to be improved from watchman teacher was writing on the board when office. “Why are you speaking Persian?” He into the executive director of the most im- the door abruptly was opened. The sound shouted. The noises came down and the portant educational organization in our that door made, grab all the students’ at- students’ kept quiet. “Go to your classes. country. That doesn’t seem possible for tention. The person who haphazardly Your teacher will come soon.” He or- most of the people but he made it possible. Page 6 JAN 15th, 2018 Literary Vol.2, No. 82 82

About the author: Hadi Zaher was the first graduate of Quetta's branch of Star Educational Society in the year 1999. He has an MA from the University of Stories Wollongong in Australia and is currently a post-graduate student at the University of My Grandmother New South Wales Told Me any moons ago there was apples, leaves and branches. The wheat a severe hail-storm over crop for the year was destroyed, Alfalfa the village. It came at the fields were flattened, saplings and weaker worst possible time of the tree were brought down, and with them the year, just after spring, and hard work of all the families in the village. Mhailstones the size of my fist fell out of the Crops devastated, orchards destroyed, and sky. It devastated the crops, the farms, the lives changed, all within a few moments trees, the animals, and also the farmers. It of a long spring afternoon. We had almost hit any living thing that was not under a nothing left, and it was only the spring. The roof. The hailstone heaped up to a hand- whole year lay ahead of us. span’s height over our roof. Hailstones so In that year or perhaps the next one, big, the ones in the shadows lay there for a may be even the one after that, we moved whole day before disappearing. to live in Kabul. We moved to live with your The village shepherd had just made it maternal grandfather in Wazirabad. Musa’s past the pass before being caught in the father, yet to marry your aunty, was the storm. He had hid under a tree, and had only breadwinner for the families there. We to abandon his flock out in the open. Mo- lived in groups of five and more per room. him crying, telling him how isolated he had mother’s family followed us soon after. We ments later four or five of the animals lay Three families in the house. There was only become in our absence. He had pleaded all returned to the village. dead. Others limped and ran around like a little food available to feed us all. Your with him to return to the village. It’s true that man is tougher than a rock, they had gone mad. grandfather had to return to Jaghori to That plea convinced him to return and softer than a flower. The fields lay flat, and the village bring to Kabul some harvest and farm pro- back to what we had escaped from in the Qareedar = village chief streams flowed full with unripe apricots, duce. His cousin the Qareedar had come to first place. Our life in the mountains. Your

An Expert from Cold Little Bird It started with bedtime. A coldness. A formality. Martin and Rachel tucked the boy in, as was their habit, then stooped to kiss him good night. “Please don’t do that,” he said, turning to face the wall. They took it as teasing, flopped onto his bed to nuzzle and tickle him. The boy turned rigid, endured the cuddle, then barked out at them, “I really don’t like that!” “Jonah?” Martin said, sitting up. “I don’t want your help at bedtime anymore,” he said. “I’m not a baby. You have Lester. Go cuddle with him.” “Sweetheart,” Rachel said. “We’re not helping you. We’re just saying good night. You like kisses, right? Don’t you like kisses and cuddles? You big silly.” Jonah hid under the blankets. A classic pout. Except that he wasn’t a pouter, he wasn’t a hider. He was a reserved boy who generally took a scientific in- terest in the tantrums and emotional extravagances of other children, mar- veling at them as though they were some strange form of street theatre. Martin tried to tickle the blanketed lump of person that was his son. He didn’t know what part of Jonah he was touching. He just dug at him with a stiff hand, thinking a laugh would come out, some sound of pleasure. It used to work. One stab of the finger and the kid exploded with giggles. But Jonah didn’t speak, didn’t move. “We love you so much. You know?” Martin said. “So we like to show it. It feels good.” “Not to me. I don’t feel that way.” “What way? What do you mean?” They sat with him, perplexed, and tried to rub his back, but he’d rolled to Ben Marcus is an American author specializing in works the edge of the bed, nearly flattening himself against the wall. of fiction. Marcus received his bachelor degree from New “I don’t love you,” Jonah said. York University in philosophy, and he also attended Brown “Oh, now,” Martin said. “You’re just tired. No need to say that sort of stuff. University in Rhode Island. Marcus is the author of four fiction novels and several short stories and essays. Marcus is also Get some rest.” a professor at Columbia University in New York. He lives in “You told me to tell the truth, and I’m telling the truth. I. Don’t. Love. You.” New York with his wife and children.

JAN 15th, 2018 Page 7 Editor-in-Chief: Ali Reza Yasa Editorial support: ROYA Online Writing Center and Janathan Greenburg Designer: Younus Qadami 0774497449 Distribution: Najibullah Malikpoor 0785103920 C Branch: Abdul Rahman 0744046052 B Branch: Nasima Yousofi 0784532431 Bamyan: Essa Omid 0773609598 Daikundi: Hamid Naderi 0771991057 Ghazni: Essa Jamal 0787126362 Institute: Zahra Wahidy 0783356637 Add: Star Avenue, Sabiqa Stop, Dehburi, Kabul A Branch Phone: +93 (0) 785 10 39 20 / +93 (0) 744 56 37 55 Monday, Jan 15, 2018 Vol. 2, No. 82 Website: http://www.star.edu.af Email: [email protected] From Training on Kabul Hills to Fighting in Global Rings and Octagons An interview with Hussain Bakhsh Safari, Jujitsu Trainer, Wrestler and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Fighter

About the interviewer: Fakher Ahmad Amirzad is current English teacher at Star’s A Branch.

Can you briefly tell us about yourself? I am Hussain Bakhsh Safari from Shibar district of Bamyan province. I am an alumnus of Amani High School. Furthermore, I am one of the champions of Jujitsu Federa- tion, member of National Wrestling Team, MMA fighter at SLFC (Snow Leopard Fight- ing Championship) and a Jujitsu trainer. When did you start doing sport and what are your aims by doing sport? I started doing sport nine years ago. By doing sport, I want to reach unity, peace and sympathy in Afghanistan. Please give us brief information about your awards and achievements in sport. I attended the Punjab 2012 Festival Matches, in which I could obtain bronze medal as the third position. Attending to Lahore 2013 matches, I could get the first position after defeating 7 opponents. Moreover, I could obtain the gold medal as a Jujitsu fighter in Turkmenistan matches in 2017. You were the only athlete who could obtain the gold medal in Turkmenistan matches, how did you really feel on that moment? I felt really great. I had felt that I got the result of all endeavors what my parents did for me. As we say that no pain causes no obtaining, it is completely true. In the past, I used to train on streets and hills due to having no standard gym. Therefore, I see the results of my endeavor what I have done in the past. As I was standing on the platform, I felt that all people of Afghani- stan were standing with me and wept with joy due to my win. Are you satisfied with encouragement and supports of governmental authorities? And what do think that what should be done for athletes by government? No, I am not satisfied with encouragement and supports of governmental authorities. This is not considerable to them that where I am and what I am doing. Gov- ernment should help and support the athletes basically; they should provide good regarding Jujitsu sport and its similarities As a MMA fighter, I had one match nics from, is my cellphone. Therefore, I places for training, and also they should to other martial arts? in Ministry of Interior Affairs and three download the jujitsu technical videos from support the athletes financially. Jujitsu is a Japanese martial art. In Jap- matches at SLFC. A MMA fighter should be internet and I use them in my jujitsu train- What are the features of a successful anese literature, it means the mother of skilful in Jujitsu, Kick Boxing and Wrestling ing. My main aim is to become the most athlete? martial arts. Jujitsu has three styles; Full- technics. complete champion from every aspects. I think a successful athlete should be contact, Newaza and Dew (Exhibitions). What are your future plans and goals? And finally, what is your message to patient, hardworking and unselfish. Furthermore, Jujitsu has close similarities At first, I want to pursue my educa- Interstellar Bulletin readers? Generally, in which martial arts are to Judo and MMA technics. tion. Furthermore, I want to train jujitsu My message to Interstellar Bulletin you skilful? As a MMA fighter, what are your in abroad due to having no expert Jujitsu readers is this: please encourage your real I am skilful in Jujitsu, Wrestling and achievements in MMA? And what do you trainer in Afghanistan. I have been training champions. Moreover, keep brotherhood, MMA. think that in which martial arts a MMA Jujitsu without any expert trainer. The only justice and acceptability among each other Could you give us brief information fighter should be skilful? source what I used to learn Jujistsu tech- in order to have honorific homeland.