See Inside Quote of the Week “The pessimist sees difficulty in every 2- Personal Essays 6. Star Related opportunity. The optimist sees the 3. Community 7. Literary opportunity in every difficulty.” 4-5. News 8. Interview –Winston Churchill

Saturday, February 13, 2016 Vol. 1, No. 27 Star Educational Society Weekly Interstellar (adjective): situated or occurring between the stars; conducted, or existing between two or more stars Daikondi: First semesters are a huge success

A message from Hameed Naderi, Daikondi Branch Director

fter the completion of its first serve some of the disabled and underprivi- not served the population in Daikondi be- the financial means to pay for good quality semester, the news from Star leged students in the area. I plan to conduct fore Star’s new branch opened, our current private courses can go to either Kabul or Nili Educational Society’s newest a transparent survey among village elders classes being offered include only Introduc- City, leaving the less privileged people be- branch in Daikondi is very en- and other respective local entities to help tory, Elementary and the Lower Intermedi- hind. Another challenge for young people is couraging. The second semes- identify those students. In order to make ate levels. Those levels include six different the lack of entertainment facilities for sports terA has begun with a 163% increase in en- our services accessible to these vulnerable courses: Prep 1, Prep 2, Junior Beginner, and other extracurricular activities. This rollment. Not only did we see an increase in students, Star will offer reduced or free tu- Senior Beginner, Level 1 and Level 2. We makes them more vulnerable to drug addic- numbers, but we are now reaching a more ition. look forward to adding more advanced level tion and other problems. Finally, the short- diverse population of learners. Most of the I have been serving as Daikondi’s classes as our students progress through age of electricity prevents people from hav- students in the first semester were adult Branch Director and an English instructor. Star’s Diploma of English Language cur- ing access to mass media and creates other learners and government employees. In our I hold a BA in English Literature from Kabul riculum. restrictions in their daily lives. second semester, our 263 students consist Education University. Our other staff con- The people in Daikondi have warmly In the future, we hope to conduct essay of more school students, university stu- sists of our office manager, Marzia Ham- welcomed Star and appreciate our presence. writing and other educational competitions dents, and employees from NGOs and GOs. dard, who holds a Master’s Degree in Law We have had cordial social interactions with among schools and other education insti- Approximately 26% of our current se- and Politics from an Indian University. We the residents. In general, the community tutes. We would like to create sports pro- mester students are female. We are brain- have three additional English instructors: members of Daikondi are very cultural and grams such as football and volleyball teams storming different ways to expand our reach Mohammad Zaki Zaki, Esmatulla Sharifi religious. It is an area that is heavily impact- for both male and female students and hold within the female population in Daikondi. and Mohammad Reza Mohasel. Our jani- ed by Iranian ideologies, especially the lo- sports competitions among the schools and Some of our ideas include: opening branch- tor and cook is Rahmatullah Rejayee. As we cal mullahs and religious leaders who have educational centers. Star Educational Soci- es in the districts; offering free tuition to the continue to grow it will be important for us significant influence over the local people. ety and the services we provide are greatly local female teachers; and conducting Lit- to hire professional English teachers and to Poverty is a serious challenge. Most of the needed in Daikondi and we aim to fill the eracy Learning Programs for housewives. utilize all the appropriate teaching methods girls and boys cannot join educational cen- huge gap in as many ways as possible for the In addition to trying to increase the number and materials. ters, English and other fields, due to having hardworking and deserving people of this of female students we serve, it is our goal to Since English language centers have a poor economy. The residents who have region.

A normal day of an Afghan Five-Year-Old Afghan girls cycling Divided We Fall: Afghan girl Murtaza Ready to Meet team, probable nominee Afghan National Unity (May we eat you – dear) they told me as Argentine Football Star for Nobel Peace Award Government on Shaky they approached me. Messi Ground For a moment I felt, I should be very Reporters say happy as the two did not touch me For almost a that former U.S Almost a full year into the power- and just laughed loud. It was the most month now, the intelligence, sharing arrangement between paradoxical feeling. Was I expecting image of a five- Edward President Ashraf Ghani and the Chief more than what they did? Yes, and that year-old boy... Snowden,... Executive Officer (CEO), Abdullah they didn’t touch... Page 2 Page 4 Page 5 Abdullah, the National Unity... Page 6 Vol.1, No. 27 Personal EssaysFeatures from Ali Reza Yasa's Creative Writing Class A normal day of an Afghan girl to talk loud and laugh. I've seen a lot of doxical feeling. Was I expecting more than difficulties in my life and precisely there's what they did? Yes, and that they didn’t place where I'm living right now is an un- more to come to break me into pieces. touch me was a great blessing? Perhaps comfortable region for the girls and wom- Dealing with calamities and personal is- again, Yes. en. For some women rights may further sues are as challenging matters as dealing I was so embarrassed and kept my entrench gender-based disadvantage be- with these two boys but what else could I eyes connected tight to the road and cause they are often seen as ‘universal and do. I didn’t protest. Gradually, after a few pushed myself to walk away as if nothing abstract norms which are made in man’s moments, few very long moments, the had happened. The time was pressing, I image, those which reflect his particu- two boys started stepping faster towards was praying to God and seeking for help lar concerns’. Women have limited rights me, my heart started bouncing terribly, in a shocking way like "My dear God, I within their boundaries. my head begin throbbing and my hands need your help, please get me out of this I don't want to be overdramatic, but started shivering, and I was so scared and situation, I've always worshipped you and today I felt like “a hundred years in hell” feared. My whole body was shaking and I'll do so till the end of my life". and can clearly call it the absolute worst one of the boys stepped forward and said The weather seemed dusty, I was day of my life. Every morning has a new “Where are you going ~ pretty?". At the getting late for my English classes. I kept beginning, a new blessing and a new same time both of them were laughing in walking faster and faster to get onto a bus hope. It was an early morning where I disdain. Mocking, joking and referring to station. The boys kept following me in the was walking down the street in a cold and the outgrowths of my body. “Bokhorimet – dark alley on the street and my heart still smoky weather. The true beauty of an Jeegar!” (May we eat you – dear) they told kept bouncing and then I realized they are early morning is the fresh air to start the me as they approached me. giving me a dirty look, glaring at me and I About the author: Sajida Alizada day with and to get a better health at least For a moment I felt, I should be very was thinking what if they touch me, what graduated from Star B Branch. She that was the whole point for me that day. happy as the two did not touch me and if they steal my bag; I was so helpless. After got her teacher’s badge recently and is Despite the fact, there was a time when I just laughed loud. It was the most para- a few steps walking down the street in the currently a student of Creative Writing was being followed by the two bad boys in dark alley, I saw one of my friends sitting Class. the dark alley on the street. I was feeling on the bus and waving her hand towards insecure and I was wondering what would For a moment I felt, I should me. The time has come and I've looked On a daily basis, I usually wake up at happen next. be very happy as the two back and surprisingly saw that the boys 6 o'clock in the morning and start to get Life is a journey and I'm having a did not touch me and just stopped following me just because I was ready for my English classes and leave tough time and feeling like I'm incapable laughed loud. It was the most near to my bus station and then I went early to make up for the time needed to of almost anything, lost in these thoughts, back to normal; relieved and gradually wait get the public transport. there you see two boys, two gangsters paradoxical feeling. Was I happy. I raised both of my hands up and The following is part of the diary work following you. Whistling, referring to my expecting more than what they said to my dear God 'thank you for being of Sajeda: cloths and body, the curve of my waist, the did? Yes, and that they didn’t there, when nobody else was. However, all Unlikely, the place where I live is a bounce of my hips, and there seemed to touch me was a great blessing? I wanted to say was that I'm feeling safe long-distance street and quite often it be everything I had in this feminine body, Perhaps again, Yes. now and I'm sitting on the bus and greet- can be dreadful and dangerous. Sadly, the seemed to be a subject of their pleasure ing with my best friends.

gloves but I was heating my hands with “Hey! Are you here? We are talking to the ground. Hi… “How is my love?” he Callous blanket by breath. The rustle of yellow, red and you.” “What happens to you?” My friends never called my “my love” for such a long orange leaves under my feet were annoy- told me and I did not want to reply even if time. Then he bent to hug me. I felt the ing. We arrived the restaurant, we all like I wanted, I could not speak. I pushed my pain when he approached; however, he to be around one table. Zahra said a joke chair then I took my backpack. does not love me. I kicked back his hands then all started to speak and laugh. She is I went to his office but he was not and shouted. He went to bedroom and the ice-breaker. The barmaid came and there. I struck my phone to the wall. His saw all things that were broken. I asked asked us for our orders. We ordered cof- colleagues asked me what I was doing. I him, “Why did you go with girls?” He de- fee for all. I looked down at my cell phone. got out without answering anyone. I was nied. I asked him again, “I saw you with There was no message reply yet. Talking bewildered, “Where should I go?” I said to those girls, I saw you with my own eyes.” to my friends, I was turning on and off my myself. I went home. I quickly broke the He said, “Do not forget that I married to phone. I heard that if we call someone by mirrors, dishes, all his gifts then I tore up you and I have always loved you.” “Per- another name, it will become whatever all our pictures. After that I made half of haps you saw someone else.” He said. “I we call. Then I opened my contacts num- the blanket and padding. I threw out the called you more than ten times but your ber and changed his name from “Reza” to flowers which were dried for years in the phone was off.” He said, “Where?” You “My love”. Perhaps “my love” could get little pretty jug; the wooden chair and the can see my phone but I knew that he had more attention than Reza. I pressed my clock which had not swept for ages. deleted. He said, “If I am wrong, show me lips. My throat dried up, I had a severe Yes… it is the time that he comes. your phone. Unfortunately I broke and uncomfortable feeling in my chest. I re- 7:30 pm. The sound of key was hearable, I lost my phone. Now what should I do?” viewed our past, and saw in a glance how could feel his steps in the hallway, hitting Again someone else was calling him, everything had so dramatically changed I wanted him to pick but he did not. He since our marriage. whispered in my ear, “ I want to be with About the author: Parisa Ahmadi recently We were talking together that the He is my husband, I can- you now.” No answer! He knew that girl graduated from Star and received her door opened. Someone came and spoke not break this relation- was calling. I picked and frequently he teacher’s badge. She has also taken the aloud. His voice was so familiar to me. I ship. He celebrates the caught the phone and struck it to the wall. Teacher’s Training Course and Creative turned my face, yeah there was my love. His phone broke in pieces too. He moved Writing. She is in the 11th grade and plans Ohhh my God!!! I could not even imagine snowy days with me and his arms up with his palms open, “They to be an engineer in the future. this situation that would come in front of the rainy days with oth- are both gone!” I took the vase as flow- my eyes. I was broken. Sh sh sh be patient. ers. He brings the yellow ers were falling down and water poured, My eyes became red, I itched my I whispered with myself but I could not I picked the vase and threw it at him. It head. I could not type fast while I was stop my tears. I thought everybody could flowers to me and gives struck his head. In a moment he moved twiddling with my ring. I yawned while I see and understand what I was through. the roses to others. He back and sat down in a corner. His head was looking for one call. I closed all chap- I did not want my friends to know about changes his perfume was bleeding. I did not know what to do? ters then I shut down my computer. Sud- it. Because I wanted to keep this relation He stood up and cleaned his blood with denly, my hand bopped the cup and the safe, because he will be the father of my every week, it is not my his sleeves. He could make me calm, he cup fell down and broke. Some sugar re- baby, because he is the man of my home. choice. I can make busy could make me satisfied with his lies as I mained in my saucer then I ate it. My col- I became so insecure while he was myself to during the day knew the truth. leagues told me: “let`s go to restaurant.” laughing with a bunch of crazy girls, hand I felt the pain when he kisses me. I agreed, then I turned off the lamp and in hand, hand in waist, he seemed as if he but at nights he is just When he presses me between his shoul- Nargis locked the door. Someone was was a playboy, with a bunch of cheerlead- for me. We sleep under ders. I am forced to tolerate that I am his calling Fati. She picked. Someone wanted ers and one of those girls thudded to his the callous blanket; love at night and he is the man of day for her to go to superstore but she denied. shoulder. I turned my face and I called other girls. He is my husband, I cannot Atifa forgot her cell phone then she went again but his phone was of. I put my head our home is callous not break this relationship. He celebrates the back and took it. on the table and I closed my eyes. The just our blanket. He is snowy days with me and the rainy days “Where should we go?” said Zahra. weather became cold and colder then my baby`s father and with others. He brings the yellow flowers “One minute.” I told them. I called but he rapidly my head became hot and hotter. to me and gives the roses to others. He didn’t pick it. “No problem. Perhaps he is When I heard the sound of the door that what else can I do? My changes his perfume every week, it is not busy in his office.” I mumbled with my- was closed. Yes! He had gone with the eyes now scour his sour my choice. I can make busy myself to dur- self. “Ok! Today come with me and I know girls. I wanted to control myself and sit tall body as he snores ing the day but at nights he is just for me. new restaurants that is adjacent here.” back with my friends but I could not. I felt We sleep under the callous blanket; our Zahra told us. that all people around me are laughing at with his half opened home is callous not just our blanket. He is I sent one message to my husband me, they are telling me that I am so un- mouth… my baby`s father and what else can I do? that I am waiting for his call. Then, I put lucky, so much naïve, so much undesir- My eyes now scour his sour tall body as he my phone in my pocket. They all had able and cheated. snores with his half opened mouth…

Page 2 February 13th, 2016 Community Vol.1, No. 27 The Balloons after his grandpa. He was about five years old with small brown eyes. The boy, who was thin and of short stature, put his steps forward like his grandpa. He stepped carefully and had a little tremble. Nobody knew where the old man was going. Even the old man himself didn’t know where he was going. The boy called again. “Grandpa! Where are you going?” The old man heard a voice and stopped. He turned around and looked back from where he had come. He looked forward in the direction that he was going. The little boy stood next to his grandpa but his grandpa didn’t see him. The old man started to walk again. He moved slowly and cautiously. He heard the voice again, stood, and turned his head. He opened and closed his eyes. He felt a little man was moving slowly after his grand- The old man put his hand in his pock- hand on his shoulder. son. The old man thought to himself, “The et, pulled out ten afghanis and gave it to About the author: Hakim Sorush has “Grandpa! Grandpa! The balloon sell- balloons are like humans. As long as they his grandson. “Take this money, my dear newly joined Star staff to help with photog- er!” said the grandson. have helium, they float high in the sky. grandson. I can’t go,” said the old man raphy, film-making, website management The grandpa noticed that he was sit- When the helium is gone, they fall down to his grandson. The little boy took the and reporting. He is a Star alumnus and a ting by the side of the mudwall and had on the ground. Me too. When I was young, money and ran to the balloon seller. He photographer. He graduated from the Fine fallen asleep in the warmth of the sun- I jumped here and there. And now that I bought a beautiful blue balloon for him- Art Faculty, Cinema Department of Kabul shine. All the things he saw were a dream am old, it’s like I have lost my helium and self and felt that he was holding the world University. He plans to be a film director in and he was awoken by his grandson’s I can barely move.” as it gently floated in sky above him. the future. hand shaking his shoulder. When he There was an old man sitting by the opened his eyes, he saw his little grandson inner side of the mudwall that surround- was standing near him. The balloons were ed his home. He was tired, thinking deep- floating in the sky in different bright col- ly about something. He stood up and took ors and different sizes. One was high and a few deep breaths. He held his waist with another low. One was big and another was BOOK REVIEW his hands and slowly straightened himself small. The balloon seller was nearing his The Lovers: Rod Nordland revisits tale to an upright position. He looked around alley and the little boy was impatient. The carefully. He didn’t see anything. He took old man was busy with his thoughts. a slow trembling step and carefully moved “Grandpa! Grandpa! The balloon sell- of Afghanistan’s Romeo and Juliet in forward - steps that were strong and cer- er is going!” said the boy impatiently. tain many years before but now were hes- He took his grandpa’s hand and new book itant and unsteady. pulled him. The old man stood up in his He hopes the book will garner so much attention that it will inspire or shame some- A little boy called after him. “Grand- place and picked up his walking-stick. He one in authority to help the couple who are still holed up in Afghanistan. pa! Grandpa! Where are you going?” moved forward to the alley. The boy was The old man didn’t hear the boy. He happy and excited. He was running ahead Written by: Henrietta Walmark and reprinted from continued on his way. The little boy ran of his grandpa in the alley and the old http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/books/2016/01/28/rod-nordland-revisits- tale-of-afghanistan-romeo-and-juliet.html

Rod Nordland, international corre- scenario” for Zakia and Ali. spondent at large for the New York Times, “In the United States, we say to a thinks Canada would be the very best refugee, OK, after we finally let you in af- place for Afghanistan’s Romeo and Juliet. ter years and years, now we’re just going The veteran journalist was Kabul to let you sink or swim, you know it’s up bureau chief for the NYT in March 2014 to you,” he says. “Whereas Canada gives when he first wrote about Zakia, then 18, people more of a safety net and literacy and Ali, 21, the young Afghan couple who training and language training that this risked all for love. Norland’s story about couple very much needs.” the defiant lovers who went into hiding Nordland brings Zakia and Ali’s ro- to escape death threats from Zakia’s fam- mance vividly to life — it’s easy to fall un- ily, captivated readers around the world. der the spell of the impetuous yet devoted The American newsman wrote more than couple. a half dozen follow-up stories about the But he moves The Lovers beyond star-crossed pair over the next year. that narrow narrative to locate their love So why revisit their story in book story in the harrowing reality of what it form now, Nordland was asked in a phone means to be female in Afghanistan today. interview from New York on Tuesday, the “Some of those stories are pretty day of the launch of The Lovers (Harper- horrifying,” he says. “It doesn’t get much Collins, $33.50). worse than the story of Brishna, the “There was no way I could do justice 10-year-old raped by her mullah [a reli- to it through newspaper stories,” he says. gious leader]. Her family tried to arrange “It was just very liberating to be able to to marry her [to her rapist] and was sup- say everything I thought there was to say ported by the president of the country.” about not just their story but the lessons Though Nordland admits he’s felt at that their experiences have for women in times that there is nothing anyone will general in Afghanistan.” ever be able to do about the situation in He hopes the book, subtitled The Afghanistan, he adds that we can’t just True Story of How They Defied Their say a pox on all their houses. Families and Escaped an Honor Killing, “There are women in Afghanistan will garner so much attention that it will whose expectations of a better life and inspire or shame someone in freedom from this patriar- authority to help the couple chal terrorism they live under who are still holed up in Af- have been raised. They really ghanistan; someone in a West- do have a lot of hope for the ern government who would be future. If we turn our backs willing to bend the rules a bit to on them, they won’t have any give Zakia and Ali asylum. hope at all. In the end, as dis- Canada’s new government couraging as the whole picture has made Nordland hopeful is, we need to try to do some- of what he calls his “best-case thing about it.

February 13th, 2016 Page 3 Vol.1, No. 27 News But then Twitter user @illMindO- fRobin claimed that he had made up that story to draw attention to the town where his parents were from. Earlier this week, the Afghanistan Football Federation invited Murtaza and his family to Kabul. Keramuddin Karim, the federation's president promised to grant him an opportunity to meet Messi. “We have already contacted Barcelo- na club and they will respond within 4-5 days about the time and the place where they want to meet Murtaza,” the federa- tion chief said. Murtaza appeared photographed in an official Barcelona kit. An Afghan Facebook user comment- ed: Every one is waiting to meet #king- Messi Messi is waiting to Meet our little #Murtaza Because of that we love Messi and Afghan Five-Year-Old Murtaza Ready to all time. soccer Murtaza's makeshift shirt was fash- Although Barcelona has not released Meet Argentine Football Star Messi ioned for him by Homayoon Ahmadi, his an official announcement, BBC Persian older brother, who posted a photo of him reported that the Spanish Embassy in Ka- on Facebook. bul said that they will try to provide the About the Reporter: "Najiba Madadi has graduated from His father Mohammad Arif Ahmadi opportunity for Murtaza to meet Messi. Marefat high school, Kabul, Afghanistan. Currently, she is a told local station Ariana TV: “He loves His father has said the meeting will take junior student pursuing her major in Economics and minor football and he loves Messi. he asked place in Barcelona at the club's famous in Anthropology at American University of Central Asia. She me many times to buy a Messi shirt but I Nou Camp stadium. wants to break the silence and raise the unheard voice of could not provide it because in the village This would be somewhat ironic as suffered people of Afghanistan through writing. She writes where we live, there is no such shirt.” European countries line up to slam the for the Global Voices and one of her articles was picked as Ahmadi also spoke of his wish to doors shut on migrants from war torn the number one Global Voices stories in 2015." see a football stadium in Jaghori district, countries, including Afghanistan, but marker pen has been trending on social Ghazni, where Murtaza lives. Murtaza's family is unlikely to refuse the media. “We do not have any personal desires opportunity of acquainting him with his Now the world is waiting to see when but what we expect is opportunities for idol. Murtaza Ahmadi will get to meet the Bar- our children to have a better future.” In the meantime, football fans Messi and Murtaza. Photo shared on celona and Argentina No.10. After foreign internet users first saw around the world have been displaying the Facebook group of Shoja Designi. Murtaza, whose family is unable to the mystery boy, a rumour developed their envy: For almost a month now, the image provide him with a genuine Lionel Messi that he was a Kurdish child from Iraq. What happens when people find of a five-year-old boy playing soccer near football shirt, grabbed the attention of That belief was given added curren- out that a boy wearing a polythene bag his home in eastern Afghanistan sporting local media and subsequently the inter- cy when Kurdish TV reported that a boy football shirt has the chance of meeting a plastic bag with the football icon Lionel national agencies for his apparent devo- called Homin, located in Dohuk prov- Messi. Messi's name and number splashed in tion to one of the greatest footballers of ince, Iraq, was the subject of the photo. Supervisors control most governmental institutions in western provinces Translated by: Khodadad Suroush Source: Hasht-e- Sobh

Many governmental institutions tricts. In addition, the departments of are being governed by overseers in four education, public health, encounter western provinces. narcotics, natural disaster, head of fi- Based on hasht-e- sobh report, 31 nance and hospitals are being gov- offices from 70 governmental offices erned by these overseers. are being governed by overseers. This Based on this report, Shahrak and report shows that provinces such Ghor, Charsada districts in Ghor province, Badghis and Farah are controlled and department of agriculture and envi- governed by overseers. Many people ronment are being governed by over- are wandering because of these posts seers. In addition, there are many dis- between Kabul and provinces subways. tricts and departments which are being The determination of this process supervised by overseers in Farah prov- commenced since the administrating ince. Moreover, districts such as Kalaai the National Unity Government. The Kah, Khak Safid, Bakwah, Gulistan, departments of education, sectorial Baala Boluk and Par Chaman are be- and technical services, refugee affairs, ing supervised by overseers, based on airport, urban development affairs, Af- Hashti-e-Subh reports. ghan Helal Ahmar, public health, lands In addition, no one has been of- on both sides of Harirud and Marghab ficially designated for anti-natural di- rivers, land transports, borders and saster departments, customs, Haj and have more chances to win in free com- their offices and to officially gain the tribes, Herat university, Central Statis- Awqaf, environmental and many com- petition. required post, they live in Kabul rather tics Organization office, western atom- mands in this province. Meanwhile, it has been notified than provinces. ic energy regions, local hospitals, pub- Those who are temporarily des- that most of them are doing their best In addition, supervisors do not lic registrations, governmental presses, ignated for a post before starting any to get these posts. After getting these have the authorities as the officials do. Herat sports and finally, Angil, Addras- competition for official replacement in posts after talks among government Therefore; it creates various problems kan, Shindan, Kahsan, Farsi, Karakh these posts in governmental offices are employees. They make sure that they and delays the process of works. and Ouba districts are being governed called supervisors. will be officially designated to these Political experts criticize slow re- by supervisors in Herat province. Recently, President Mohammad posts. placement of employees. Furthermore, This report also exerts that 3 dis- Ashraf Ghani, on video conference Working as a supervisor created after passing over one year from the ad- tricts in Badghis province are being promised to western governors that many problems because supervisors ministration of National Unity Govern- governed by overseers. he would put an end to the problems focus on posts rather than problems. ment, the cabinet has not even been Qads, Moqr, and Ballamorghab of supervisors, but based on reports of In addition, they are looking for any in- completed and also most of deputy don’t have district governors and these Hashti Subh, those who are designated termediary and links not to lose these ministries are working as supervisors. overseers are in charge of these dis- as supervisors in government offices opportunities. They are not present in

Page 4 February 13th, 2016 News Vol.1, No. 27 Afghan girls cycling team, probable nominee for Nobel Peace Award. Translated by: Zahra Amiri Source: Etlaat-e-Rooz Published information demonstrates cepts 200 nominees from authorized in- that Afghan girls cycling team has been stitutions and keeps their backgrounds nominated for Nobel peace award. confidently for 5o years. Committee Ju- Reporters say that former U.S intel- ries never publicize nominee’s names, ligence, Edward Snowden, who released because Nobel Prize regulations have mysterious documents on U.S, worlds guaranteed the confidentiality of the in- catholic leader, Afghan girls bicycling formation for 50 years. Nominees can re- team, an Ezady woman who escaped veal their names by themself, or the insti- from ISIS, and other individuals and tutions who introduced them will reveal group activists who served global peace their names. are among probable nominees of the When the nominees list are finalized, Noble prize. 5 jury members from committee prepare According to Salam Watandar, Af- a short final list of the nominees on Feb- ghan girls bicycling team have been pro- ruary first. After discussing background posed as candidates for Nobel Prize by and qualification of the nominees, the Italian Parliament and 118 members of prize will be given to an active person or AREU announced as top Central Italy Parliament. group as last year, the award was given to Nobel Prize selection committee in a Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet. Asia Afghanistan Organization Oslo, capital of Norway, every year ac- Translated By: Tayeba Mubarez Source: Hasht-e- Subh

Pennsylvania University has announced researches based no impartial evidences. Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit as one of top organizations in Unit has played an effective role to Central Asia. This listing is held as plan provide such policies last year. of research and civil society organization Nadery adds that they provide researches annually. based on evidences and they also This classification is being conducted thoroughly share the results with the annually to investigate effecting rules on policy makers, civil society and people public policy and research organization. to take part in the process of making a The report of the classification which better Afghanistan. was published in this week shows that Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit is an independent research Unit has ascended from 14th position organization the target of which is in 2014 to the 9th position in 2015. The awareness and efficiency on policies classification of this year by subject by conducted researches on policy in of (Why Research Organization has Kabul. Importance for the people and policy Since establishing Afghanistan Research makers? ) has been held in more than and Evaluation Unit in 2002, this sixty countries. organization has published more than 600 Nader Nader the chief of Afghanistan researches and reports on government, Research and Evaluation Unit says that political economy constitutions, gender, policies cannot change the people’s natural resources, alternative livelihoods life into positive ways until it not and public care. based on impartial and independent Announcement from: UWC National Committee for Afghanistan Full and Partial Scholarships to United World Colleges around the world

Applications for the United World College 2016 cycle are now being released.

Write to [email protected] for an application.

If you have any other questions, please contact: info.af@ nc.uwc.net Who can apply?

This is a pre-university program.

Students are typically aged between 16 and 19 years.

UWC schools and colleges are located in 15 countries and fol- low one of two models: Schools for students across a wide age range, providing students of all ages with the opportunity to gain a UWC education, and two-year pre-university colleges teaching the IB Diploma.

February 13th, 2016 Page 5 Vol.1, No. 27 Star Related Divided We Fall: Afghan National Unity Government on Shaky Ground

own clients to these positions of power. Table 2: Ethnic composition of Abdullah Abdullah and Mohammad Mohaqqeq’s Of- Recent appointments by Ghani, fices Abdullah, and their respective vice-presi- dents is seriously undoing the bases of po- litical order and stability in Afghanistan. Karzai was able to hold onto power after the Bonn Agreement of 2001 because of his ability to maintain a balance of equi- librium among competing ethno-regional leaders and centres of power (here and here). A detailed network analysis of the NUG’s appointments suggests a shift of power from Karzai’s former clients, mainly former jihadi elites, to a mix of western Co-authored by: Timor Sharan and Srin- educated technocrats and former middle- joy Bose ranking jihadis. Powerful and influential Almost a full year into the power- figures such as the liberal reformers Ran- sharing arrangement between President gin Spanta and Omar Daudzai, and tradi- Ashraf Ghani and the Chief Executive Offi- tional religious authorities such as Ishaq gin: 69 percent (or 22 appointees) Pashtun stan. The failure to critique these actions cer (CEO), Abdullah Abdullah, the Nation- Gailani and Abd Rab Rasul Sayyaf are no against 19 percent (or six appointees) Tajik has led to many from other ethnic groups al Unity Government (NUG) in Afghani- longer part of the politically influential (see Table 1). The ethnic-Hazara and Uz- to speculate that Ghani and his team in stan is struggling to realise its raison d’etre. circle. The governors of key provinces of beks are less than 3 per cent. the palace are supportive of such views. The administration is encumbered by Herat, Kandahar, Kunar, and Kunduz are The CEO and others followed suit, What ordinary Afghans need at this personal and institutional divisions within technocrats, who have to compete with appointing mainly from their own ethnic time of sensitivity and transition is unity the NUG, notably between the Ghani and strongmen that control the security insti- groups (see table 2). Appointees to the and harmony. The Unity Government Abdullah and their client camps. The mul- tutions and sources of finance such as the CEO’s Office indicate favouring ethnic-Ta- must overcome their differences over ap- tiple and varying bases of authority has provincial customs. jik jihadis. Mohammad Mohaqqeq, Abdul- pointments and control of the state re- not only drawn-out the process of admin- This sudden shift in power is risky lah’s second vice-CEO too, has appointed sources, and need to be careful of future istrative appointments, but are also forc- as it undermines the logic of the network a majority of ethnic-Hazara aides—87.5 appointments to ensure inclusive govern- ing the President and CEO to continuously state in post-2001 Afghanistan, where key percent, in fact—to his own office. One ment for all Afghans that is based on mer- negotiate and re-negotiate political pacts ethno-regional patrons controlled strate- could argue that this was inevitable as it. The slogan below—which reads, “Not entered into with clients during the 2014 gic parts of Afghan economy and polity: Abdullah and Mohaqqeq supporters were Pashtun, nor Tajik, nor Hazara, nor Uzbek, presidential elections. It took months of hence, they had a key incentive to main- from ethnic Tajiks and Hazara groups. We are just jobless”—captures the general horse-trading and delays before the NUG tain the status quo. However, the President undermined his sentiment among many Afghans, particu- was able to agree on appointing 27 cabinet However, in a bid to control and ex- ethical authority by not setting a good larly the youth. The government must do ministers and 25 provincial governors. pand his power, Ghani is undermining example and thus provided the space for more to focus on security and economic The lack of progress resulting from the formal institutions by relying on (and even abuse for others. recovery than exacerbate policies that wrangling has severely compromised the expanding) informal patronage. He has This milieu—unstable and frac- could intensify ethnic divisions and pro- NUG’s effectiveness: the NUG has been deliberately sidelined the Independent tured—is not helpful as the country con- vide space for spoilers. unable to sufficiently (and efficiently) re- Administrative Reform and Civil Service tinues to struggle with political, economic, The Afghan state remain fragile and spond to political and economic crises. Commission, which is responsible for and security transitions. divisions along ethnic lines could further The scheduled 2015 parliamentary elec- the overall appointment of civil servants. Today, patronage and ethnicization destabilise the country. The Unity Govern- tions have been postponed indefinitely, Ironically, in the past, Ghani had been ex- has once again provided the space and ment leaders must take steps to avoid the with the terms of existing MPs being ex- tremely critical of Karzai’s propensity to opportunity for ethno-regional leaders Iraq outcome where the state was frag- tended until new elections are held. Such make appointments sans procedure. an extension is not grounded in the Afghan These appointments have further Constitution but was granted after a series exacerbated identity-based grievances. of emergency consultation meetings with In particular, the ethnicization of the Af- civil society organisations and political ghan bureaucracy is a cause for concern. leaders. Thousands of young Afghans are An analysis of recent administrative ap- losing hope and are leaving the country, pointments reveal the intensification of with the Kabul Passport Office issuing patronage politics along ethnic lines. For more than 2000 passports a day, a sixfold example, the President’s Office of Admin- increase from the same time this year. istrative Affairs (OAA) is predominantly The knock-on effect on people’s con- composed of Pashtun technocrats. Not fidence in the NUG—in other words, gov- only that, it is predominantly eastern ernment legitimacy—has been severe; Ghilzai Pashtuns at the expense of south- according to a recent poll conducted by ern Durrani Pashtuns. Most Afghan rulers TOLO News and ATR Consulting, Ghani’s were from Durani Pashtuns including the approval rating has declined sharply to be- former President, Hamid Karzai. low 20 percent. Abdullah’s rating is as low Analysing the ethnic composition of as that of Ghani. the senior appointments made at OAA, such as General Dostum, Atta Mohammad mented along ethnic lines—in Afghani- Prior to 2014, cabinet, gubernatorial, immediately when Ghani took power, Noor, Haji Zahir Qadir, and Mohaqqeq stan ethnic divisions could lead to the and deputy ministerial posts were occu- betrays a clear favouring of technocratic Mohaqqeq to flourish. Both Ghani and strengthening of the Taliban and other ex- pied by individuals who were clients in Pashtuns: 75 percent (or 21 appointees) Abdullah must understand that the (ab) tremist groups such as ISIL. Hamid Karzai’s extended patronage net- are Pashtun against 14 percent (or four use of patronage and ethnicity can only Timor Sharan is an Afghan academic work (here and here). Today, Ghani and appointees) Tajik. His list of advisors, are further empower ethno-regional leaders and scholar with a PhD in the political Abdullah are competing to appoint their also mostly people of eastern Pashtun ori- and spoilers, giving them more space for economy of international intervention and political manouvering, at the time when statehood in Afghanistan from the Uni- they are on shaky grounds. Let us not Table 1: Ethnic composition of President’s Office and List of Presidential Advisers versity of Exeter. Sharan has published in forget that the Unity Government com- peer-review international journals includ- promise was the result of a threatened ing Central Asia Survey and Ethnopolitics. coup attempt by members of the Abdul- Follow him on Twitter @ Tsharan2. lah camp who occupy positions of power in key coercive institutions such as intel- Srinjoy Bose is the Prime Minister’s En- ligence, army, and police. deavour Award recipient and a PhD schol- The recent debate on biometric iden- ar at the Australian National University. tity card shows provided an excellent oc- He was an international elections observer casion for spoilers to intensify their ethnic during the April 5 and June 14 presidential rhetoric for their personal gains. Slogans and provincial council elections in Kabul. such as “If you are not Afghan, leave the Bose has contributed to Foreign Policy country” by some radicals is detrimental magazine in the past and has published in to the progress Afghanistan has made in peer-review journals including the Austra- the last 14 years. It threatens the existing lian Journal of International Affairs and fragile political stability and order in post- Strategic Analysis. 2014 international military exit in Afghani- Originally published on Foreign Policy Journal

Page 6 February 13th, 2016 Literary Vol.1, No. 27

34 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 Wollongong in Australia and is currently a post-graduate student at the University of New South Wales. StoriesMy Grandmother Told Me may have been younger than 10 I made some good friends along the grapes, and carrots from other years old when I became the family way. There was Bakhtawar, and her sis- people’s farms. We filled up shepherd. I was young and also the ter Hakima. They were the daughters of our scarves and pockets with darling of my parents, but that didn’t my father’s Degho, and lived on the same fruits, and took the loot up into make shepherding any easy. I had to farm as we did. There was Mirsahib, my the hills. Each of us brought our Ishepherd the family flock from one hill cousin and the shepherd for her fam- own share. We would scrub car- to the next, from one grazing spot to the ily. And the cheeky girl in the group was rots against a rock surface until next, negotiate narrow pathways, look for Maryam, Mulla Rabzan’s young sister. We it turned into shreds. We ate the water reserves, and hope that I don’t run left for the hills at the same time in the shreds. We called it carrot Hal- into a wolf, a pack of wolves, snakes, some morning and returned home at the same wa. It tasted great. chim-safeed fox and jackal, or any thieves time in the late afternoon, but we made I don’t know what hap- from other villages. sure we were not seen returning together. pened to my friends. We were all I got used to doing the work. I enjoyed We wanted our families to think that we married off young. Bakhtawar, the company of the mountains, the rocks were hard at work, and responsible for the and Hakima left the village along and the open skies. I was a shepherd. I flocks. with their family. I never saw yelled, made noise and sang everything We were friends and sisters. We sang them again. Mullah Rabzan’s that came to mind during my ascent and together, yelled at one another across the sister, Maryam was married off to some *chim-safeed = brazen, impudent descent from the hills. I suppose all that hills, and helped one another. Sometimes, village far away. So was my cousin, Mirsa- *Degho = farmer noise made me feel less scared, and alone. we got up to no good. We stole apples, hib. I don’t know if they are still alive. *halva = pudding

Mohammad Sharif Saeedi (born 1970, Jaghoori) is a poet from Afghanistan. Saeedi lost his father at the age of four. He emigrated alone from Afghani- stan to Pakistan and then to Iran when he ottled by fire was a teenager. He studied for four years M at the Zulfiqar School in Isfahan and then went on to study in Qom. He studied Ara- bic language and Literature and Islamic and ash Studies, English Language, and Political Science at different Universities in Iran. In By Sharif Saeedi I was five 2001 he moved to Sweden and obtained degrees in International Relations and A black mole grew on my fifth finger Sharif Saeedi another degree in department of Oriental A fifth of the world darkened Grand contemporary poet Studies in Persian Language and Litera- of Afghanistan ture. Saeedi began poetry in his childhood. I was fifteen During his time in Iran, his appreciation A red patch flowered... for literature, especially poetry, grew. His On my chest first poems were published when he was 19 years old and continued to be pub- Fifteen of the world's every hundred forest went lished in different journals and Iranian up in flames media. He spent eight years as a poetry critique with the Tales and Poetry Forum پنج ساله بودم of city of Qom. During these eight years روی انگشت پنجمم خال سیاهی رویید Now I'm fifty -of teaching in this forum, around 800 stu و یک پنجم جهان تاریک شد Mottled by fire and ash dents took lessons on poetry critique and .story writing and graduated successfully پانزده ساله بودم And the tigers that are racing from the cage of Mohammad Sharif Saeedi first gained روی سینه ام my heart fame in Qom with invitations to poetry -congresses in the cities of Tehran, Ma خال سرخی گل کرد ,shad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan, Tabriz و پانزده در صد از جنگل های جهان آتش گرفت -Yazd, Kerman, Sabzevaran, Saveh, Sanan حاال پنجاه ساله هستم daj, Qazvin, Khomeini Shahr, and Mazan- ,daran. In addition to studying in Qom با بدن خال خالی از آتش و خاکستر Saeedi was the chief editor of the first و پلنگانی که از قفس قلبم بیرون می دوند literary and artistic bi-weekly called Gol- bang. He was a member of Cultural Center of Afghanistani writers in exile and coop- erated with the journals of Siraj and Dor- e Dari. Saeedi was a member of edito- rial board as well as managing poetry and translation section of the journal. Several articles of Saeedi’s were published in this journal. ‘Modernism and the obstacles of Afghanistan poetry’ was among the most influential articles of Saeedi. Saeedi was editor of the magazine "Solidarity" and published poetry, stories and travelogues in this weekly journal. In Iran, Saeedi has been involved in teaching literature and journalism. In Sweden, he has been engaged with in- terpreting and translation centers of the Swedish Ministry of Defense, cooperation with the international Swedish Radio and also teaching in Swedish schools.

February 13th, 2016 Page 7 Editor-in-Chief: Ali Reza Yasa, Chairman News Editor: Murtaza Farjad Designer: Musa Autbin Distribution: Najibullah Malikpoor 0785103920 A Branch: Ahmad Muradi 0788712334 B Branch: Yasin Rezayee 0748009565 C Branch: Yadullah Rezayee 0776292665 Add: Star Avenue, Sabiqa Stop, Dehburi, Kabul. Phone: +93-785 10 39 20 Email: [email protected] +93-744 56 37 55 Website: http://www.star.edu.af Saturday, February 13, 2016 Vol. 1, No. 27 Houmaira Fayazi: an emerging talent in the field of drawing

Could you tell us about yourself? I am tools and I know people who had all op- About the interviewer: Houmaira Fayazi, 21 years old from Jag- portunities for learning drawing. Adela Khurrami began huri, Ghazni. Now I am in Kabul with my teaching at Star in 2012 family. I am a student of at Gawharshad How are the drawing lectures? Well, in after studying English University in my second year of Law. I the current situation of Afghanistan we Literature and Account- have done drawing on my own since two cannot be very hopeful but I believe that ing at Iqra College in years ago. I started it when I was in the 11th it belongs to the person himself/herself. Karachi, Pakistan and grade at school. When we work hard we will reach the bet- teaching English in ter place. When I see our drawing course Quetta. Why did you choose drawing? It is an in- while the teacher is not present, the stu- teresting question. It is a dream since my dents run the course themselves and it have a special method? There are differ- childhood. When I was still a child in Iran makes me very happy. ent methods in art and each of them has and started school there, in my notebooks their own beauties, meaning and messages there were drawings, no notes. But at first What do you think, why don’t people such as Realism, Cubism, and Impression- I was just copying. Later on I become show enough interest in art? In Afghani- ism. In my view, artists should figure out in more interested in drawing. When we re- stan, people are not very interested in art. which method they are successful before turned to Afghanistan, I finished school Mostly they prepare to buy nature scenes selecting their method. Then they can con- here and joined some drawing courses. instead of buying artistic works that can vey the message to their audiences in a bet- The first course wasn’t very interesting for be more expensive. I think people in our ter way and become successful. In terms of me, therefore I stopped and went to Ustad society or country have not realized the mine, my method is realism and most of Ghullam Mohammad Raha and started value of art. Some days ago we had an my art works are using that method. I am drawing seriously. art festival in the Presidential palace. The following different ways of realism like president liked our works and selected Cool, Pastel, Madad Rangi, Ab Rang and What do you think of people interested in some of them to buy. But when the pro- Rang Roghani but my efforts for a work of drawing? In my idea, art is a very crucial gram ended, they did not call us and we art work is how to deliver and explore them part of our life in a country. In Afghanistan, haven’t received our drawings yet which by what my heart says should be the com- there is no value given to arts. The youth seems to show a lack of interest. Drawing bination of colours. Realism is the realities going to drawing courses soon become dis- can often be fun, but sometimes it can which are around us such as daily happi- couraged when they find no opportunity to be very hard to think of ideas for what to ness, sadness or work behaviour and hab- follow it or they start wobbling. Sometimes draw. If you practiced drawing eyes for its of people, the traditions that all reflect there are people pausing it regularly. I weeks, draw some more with variations. the reality. know many people who had no workshops Unfortunately especially in Afghanistan or place to attend to learn drawing but they people do not show interest in art and Whose drawing methods do you like the followed it at their homes with very simple drawing. most? I always love the national and inter- national artists’ methods and I am inspired Do we need to choose any special field by them. The works of Wangan, Susana and to study art? I really don’t know. Art is a the artist who inspired me to the realism talent and everybody cannot have it. As I method was Babiras and all of his works think, art has all its own beauties. The art- and drawings are realism. Babiras was the ist’s ideas are different from normal peo- person whose works and drawings I was ple. For example: when I see a leaf, I don’t inspired by and my eyes have been more throw it aside. I think about it and I try to attracted to art and nature. I am attracted figure out when drawing what colour to to beauties of nature, colours, flowers, use in it to look more natural. Art degrees rivers and mountains by seeing Babiras’s can prepare you for many creative careers drawings. Each colour he used in his draw- including studio and visual and many ings makes me love more drawing and un- more and also you can take your works knowingly I came to art. I love the method and drawing anywhere you want. of Ustad Ghullam Mohammad Raaha, Us- tad Wodod and Ustad Maimanaki among Do your family and relatives support you national artists, as each of them has their in your job? Definitely, my father is my own method, drawing and their own beau- supporter, despite that art has not found ties and deep attraction to the visitors. It is its place among the people in Afghanistan. worth to mention that the drawings have Unfortunately, there were some problems their special beauties and attractions. So and disagreements from my family at these faces and methods have affected my the beginning that caused me to be away works strongly and I always try to develop from art for a while. But these problems my drawings and works. were gradually solved and I could con- tinue my way. The first ones in my family Have you showed your works and draw- who persuaded me to pursue art were my ings to someone? Yes, definitely! I always father and mother. Afterward I could get show my drawings to my teachers, my fam- support from other members of my fam- ily and my friends who are artists and ask ily. My father who lives abroad supports their views about my new works and draw- me the most. He used to paint very well ings. I would like to have artists and art and he encourages me more. When I send seekers’ critiques and suggestions as these my drawings to my father, he likes them points can help me to find out my weak- very much. He was an artist too but did ness and fix them to make my drawings not work much. So he is there to support better. I have posted my drawings in some me the most. And my mother supports art festivals in Kabul, some of my friends me too, she bought me all the things that I saw and gave their ideas and I sometimes needed in art and drawing. show my drawings to Ustad Raaha and use his guidance in my future works and draw- What is your method in art? Do you ings.