The Purple Saturdays Movement Statement on the Occasion of 9th September: Martyrdom Anniversary of Afghanistan’s National Hero and Martyrs’ Week

The Purple Saturdays Movement Statement on the Occasion of 9th September:
Martyrdom Anniversary of Afghanistan’s National Hero and Martyrs’ Week

The struggle against the Taliban is not merely a military conflict; it is a profound and comprehensive battle that extends into intellectual and cultural domains.

Ahmad Shah Massoud, Afghanistan’s National Hero, who consistently took a firm and resolute stance against the extremist Taliban group, believed that the Taliban not only act against the Islamic and national values of Afghanistan but also pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and the world.

In one of his famous speeches, the National Hero of Afghanistan stated: “The Taliban are the true enemies of Islam and Afghanistan. Their objective is the destruction of our Islamic and cultural values, turning Afghanistan into a vast prison.” Today, more than two decades after the martyrdom of Ahmad Shah Massoud, Afghanistan, particularly for women, vulnerable ethnic groups, and religious minorities, has indeed turned into a large prison, and the country has become an increasing threat to the region and the world.

Ahmad Shah Massoud consistently emphasized the importance of an independent, united, and democratic Afghanistan—a nation where the rights of all ethnicities and religious groups are respected. He asserted that the fight against the Taliban must continue not only on the military front but also within the realms of thought and culture.

We, in the Purple Saturdays Movement, with deep respect for the pure souls of martyrs and all freedom fighters of Afghanistan, on the occasion of September 9th—the martyrdom anniversary of the National Hero and Martyrs’ Week—invite all committed politicians, intellectuals, protest movements, elites, and opponents of the Taliban who have become the righteous voice of the Afghanistan people, to set aside their differences, unite, and stand together against the Taliban, denying them any opportunity.

From our perspective, the establishment of an “intellectual coalition” and reaching a consensus on forming a legitimate, democratic, and decentralized system as an alternative to the self-declared Taliban government is a significant step toward honoring the struggles and sacrifices of the freedom fighters of our nation.

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