“Sangar”: Anwarulhaq Ahadi, former Minister of Finance and former chairman of the “Afghanmillat” party, stated in an interview that only Pashtuns have the right to govern in Afghanistan.
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
Mr. Ahadi’s statements did not surprise me, because from the perspective of political sociology, ideology has never served the interests of a country as a whole — it has always served only the interests of a specific group. For example, the Communist Party in the former Soviet Union, the Nazi Party in Germany, or various right- and left-wing parties around the world.
Pashtunism is an ideology aimed at the interests of a single ethnic group, and throughout history, by ignoring other peoples, it has been a cause of the country’s backwardness. Pashtunism is not fascism, because fascism requires a developed industry and large armed forces, which Afghanistan has never had. Pashtunism is based on tribal thinking and therefore never thinks in a civilizational way.
After this brief introduction, it should be noted that Afghanistan is a Muslim country, and in Islam, there is no superiority of peoples, languages, or races. It is precisely here that Afghan nationalists and supporters of Pashtunism commit — and have committed — the greatest historical mistake.
In the article “Illegitimate Marriage of Ethnicity and Religion”, these anthropological and sociological aspects of Afghanistan are explained in detail. The Prophet of Islam, whom the Qur’an calls “a mercy to the worlds”, achieved his greatest success in uniting the Arab tribes and forming them into a single Ummah. He declared that an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab. He called Salman al-Farisi, who was not an Arab, his brother. The Qur’an also states: “Indeed, the believers are brothers” — meaning that all believers in the faith are brothers and sisters.
Regarding people, the Qur’an says:
“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
The Arabs said: “We have believed.” Say: “You have not yet believed, but say: ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts.”
Based on these verses, Afghan nationalists and supporters of Pashtunism in Afghanistan do not possess full faith in the Qur’an, and individuals like Mr. Ahadi live in darkness.
Interestingly, these individuals received education in Western and Arab countries, yet when they enter a mosque, they see that all Muslims, without discrimination, stand shoulder to shoulder in worship of God.
Islam does not accept hypocrisy, and those who sow discord and hypocrisy, according to the Qur’an, are destined for Hell. The Qur’an says: “Do not divide yourselves.”
People make mistakes. If a mistake is personal, one should seek forgiveness from God. But if the mistake affects the Ummah of Islam, one must first seek forgiveness from people, because here the rights of people (haqq al-‘abd) and the rights of God (haqq Allah) are involved.
Mr. Ahadi is obligated to apologize to all Muslims of Afghanistan.
