Tonight, is what is referred to in Islam as “the Night of Power.” It also marks the start of a historic ceasefire here in Afghanistan.
Last week on Thursday after a group of nearly 3,000 religious scholars gathered in Kabul and issued a statement, or Fatwa, that declared the war in Afghanistan illegal and called suicide bombings sinful. Among other things the group asked for peace.
A whole generation of people have grown up in Afghanistan knowing nothing but war. There is a statistic that something like 47% of the people here are under the age 27. Nearly half the population in this country know nothing but war. I don’t blame them for desiring peace.
In 20 of 34 provinces across Afghanistan spontaneous peace movements have begun to spring up. One mother spoke at one such peace march describing how she lost both a son fighting for the Taliban and a son fighting with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. In the southern part of Afghanistan following a deadly attack at a sports event, a group of Afghan, tired of death and war and violence started walking. They’ve been walking for weeks now as they make their way along dirt covered, winding mountainous trails.
Their goal is to arrive in Kabul before the end of Ramadan (this Friday) where they will make their case to President Ghani for peace.
People carry their burdens and they continue living even amongst hardship, violence and war, but the people of Afghanistan are tired of violence and call out for peace.
Last Thursday in a brave and bold moment, President Ghani announced a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. This historic announcement marked a first during this war. As the international community responded with support and encouragement, General Nicholson, the Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan commander announced that the United States would also honor President Ghani’s ceasefire.
You could hear the collective world holding its breath awaiting the Taliban’s response.
On Saturday, the Taliban announced that they too would issue a ceasefire that would run for three of the proposed days.
The response was beautiful. People came out of their homes and celebrated together in the streets. The international world sent messages of encouragement.
So tonight, is the night of power. I’ve heard that radical terrorists believe if they kill the enemy tonight as part of Jihad it is a fast track to heaven. But truly the it is instead considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims and is celebrated on the 27thday of Ramadan. It is called Laylat Al Qadr and commemorated the night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Our cultural advisors (Afghan Americans originally from this area that now help us und
erstand the culture and language) shared stories from their youth with us tonight over traditional Afghan rice and bread. They told us about previous celebrations on the Night of Power when Afghan citizen would shoot guns in the air in celebration, and sometimes even RPGs from the mountainside.
One of my friends said, maybe we should introduce fireworks instead. They both shook their heads and said fireworks are outlawed in Afghanistan as children would get injured playing with them.
There is an air of excitement, uncertainty and hope. As I walked back to my room, I passed the coffee shop where a group of Australians were playing guitars and singing “Sweet Home Alabama.”
There is power in peace.
