“Afghans accept half of the Quran and reject the other half.”
Author: Dr. Farid Younus, retired professor of Middle Eastern anthropology, Islamic studies, and philosophy, Chairman of the Afghanistan Thought Center, member of the “Sangar” Advisory Council
Before 1801, Afghanistan was called Khorasan (according to the research of Dr. Sayid Mahdum Rahin). Therefore, the current name “Afghanistan” is a colonial one, as I previously wrote in the article “Our Colonial Project.”
Prominent Afghan linguists reject the term “Dari” and believe that the language of the region is Farsi, which in linguistics is referred to as a lingua franca. In other words, the majority language of the region is Farsi, with various dialects. The Pashto language was recognized as an official language in the 1964 Constitution, and before that it was the language of one specific ethnic group — the Pashtuns — not of all peoples. Therefore, imposing the Pashto language on other ethnic groups is unethical and uncivilized.
The map of present-day Afghanistan was drawn, reshaped, and stitched together by colonial authorities. This piece of land, under the name Afghanistan, is artificial and a legacy of colonialism.
There are 23 ethnic groups in Afghanistan, not one, two, or three (according to the research of the late Muhammadi in his book “I Am Not Afghan”).
Numerous religions exist in Afghanistan, including non-Islamic ones, such as Hinduism and Sikhism, and all of them have contributed to the civilization of this land. They, too, are our brothers by creation.
During the era of Nadir Shah, father of Zahir Shah, the practical process of the “Pashtunization” of Afghanistan began, and this process severely damaged the language, identity, and culture of other ethnic groups.
Most Pashtuns believe that Afghanistan belongs to them and do not accept the blessed Quranic verse that says people were created to know one another, not to seek superiority. Therefore, the well-known saying “Afghans accept half of the Quran and reject the other half” is accurate.
Studies show that the Taliban movement is ethnic and tribal, not an Islamic one.
Women have played a significant role in the history of this land, yet today they are deprived of all rights, while religious figures — being themselves ethnically aligned — mostly remain silent.
There is nothing truly “national” in Afghanistan. The very word “national” sounds absurd for a country like Afghanistan.
There is no common denominator among the people of Afghanistan.
Ethnicity is not a common denominator.
Religion is not a common denominator.
Language is not a common denominator.
The only common denominator is Islam: 99% of the population is Muslim, and even the remaining 1% who are not Muslims are still our brothers and sisters by creation, for we are all children of Adam.
So what should be done?
First, the solution must be based on principles of citizenship: all ethnicities, religions, women, and men must have equal rights before the law without any discrimination.
Second, Farsi, Pashto, and Uzbek must be recognized as official languages of the country.
Afghanistan should have a decentralized or semi-federal Islamic political system so that the people can participate in shaping their political destiny, and the Islamic federal constitution — currently being drafted — should be presented to the people and implemented.
Regarding the name of the country, a referendum should be held. If the majority chooses the name “Khorasan” or “Bactria,” this name should be officially proposed to the United Nations so that it reflects the rights of all citizens, not just one ethnic group. The currency unit must also be changed.
Any group capable of establishing a just system in which all people feel safe and at peace should be supported and protected.
