Dr. Farid Younos : Democratic Imperialism

Dr. Farid Younos is an Afghan intellect living in California, USA and who also runs a popular TV show on Ariana TV. He is also the author of several publications and books.

In his book DEMOCRATIC IMPERIALSIM, Dr. Younos claims that the form of Democracy that the western world enjoys cannot be applied to the muslim world, specially Afghanistan.

I thought about his premise and wondered to myself - How come thousands and thousands of Afghan families, or millions of other Muslim families who have fled their home countries, live normal, happy, affluent life styles here in the west ?? How did they manage to immerse themselves within the Western doctorine of Democracy - WITHOUT ANY FORCE - and reap benefits from it ?

Here is an example. Last year, a very conservative Afghan family, whose extended family have lived in Tora Bora region of Afghanistan for eons, decided to sponsor the two aunts whose husbands were mujahideen fighters and who were boht butchered by another mujahideen tribe. (They are pashtoons and hence the anmosity amongst their tribes).

Anyways, the two aunts came to canada with their combined 9 or 10 teenage kids. And once again, I need to emphasize that these are some seriously tribal families who only knows ”Ze Musilam yam…Ze pakhtoon yam” ..[I am Muslim and I am pashtoon]. The teenagers knew nothing but Islamic teachings, War, and scavenge for food.

Now, recently I got to see those teenagers at an Afghan wedding and the transformation was miraculous. They wore beautiful suits, they were very well mannered, they spoke of being in love with some girl…and in their eyes you could see that now they had a purpose in life, a goal, a light, a reason to live and enjoy life, a freedom to choose, a freedom to get education, a freedom given to them by the Western Democracy.

Now, how could such individuals from the mountains of Afghanistan, not go insane and deranged…infact, adapted beautiful to the new life style and this was not adaptation by force. This is a willing adaptation and the outcome has been spectaculor.

Examples like this would fill many many pages of this blog, but the bottom point is - Dr. Farid Younos has failed to acknowledge that the basic human need irrespective of ethnicity, religion, nationality is to find food, have a shelter, live in peace, and nurture love and affection. Now if a form of governance could champion such cause with absolute freedom, why can it not be applied to Islamic states?

He would probably bring in religion and how western democracy is not in fine terms with it … but what about millions of muslims in US or CANADA… are they living/leading a suffocating life style? NO - they still practise their religion, they still go to their mosques… yet at the same time benefit from what is provided to them by the western democracy.

The other thing I must point out… in one of the episodes He mentioned of how terrible the US is…and his proof was “Confessions of an Economic Hit man” … and it just made me turn off the TV and play GTA on my XBOX 360…and jump off Empire state building.

Homaira Rahman’s Killer, Ehsan Amin goes to Court: details of murder released

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 4, 2008; Page B06

Just hours after the body of Homaira Rahman was found on a sidewalk in the Vienna area in July, police found the man she sometimes dated lying on a gurney at Inova Fairfax Hospital. When investigators asked Ehsan Amin why he was there, he said, “Something bad happened.”

Detective Steve Shillingford testified yesterday that he asked Amin what he meant, and Amin said, “I think I beat her. I didn’t mean to do it. I loved her so much.”

Amin was charged in a warrant that day with murder, and, after a preliminary hearing yesterday in Fairfax General District Court, Judge Penney J. Azcarate sent the case to the grand jury for possible indictment.

Ian M. Rodway, chief deputy commonwealth’s attorney, said at the hearing that Rahman, 25, had been stabbed 91 times with scissors and had been beaten on the face and bitten on the arm. Police found a broken pair of scissors not far from her body, which was discovered on a sidewalk in a cul-de-sac in the 2300 block of Malraux Drive.

Rahman lived about a half-mile away, in the 8700 block of Litwalton Court, and a neighbor testified that she saw Rahman and Amin arguing in the street there shortly before midnight July 3. “She looked distraught,” Mary Just said.

Earlier that night, Rahman and some friends had attended a soccer game in Woodbridge. One of the friends, Zarlacht Osmanzoi, said Amin repeatedly phoned Rahman at the game. “She was afraid. He was threatening her,” Osmanzoi testified. She said that as Rahman left the game, “she was crying; she said she was afraid.”

Rahman graduated from George Mason University in 2005 and worked in the financial industry. She was of Afghan descent and was active in the Afghan American community.

A man out for a walk on the morning of July 4 found her body. She was fully clothed, and her purse was nearby.

Shillingford said he and Detective Chester Toney took out Rahman’s cellphone and later learned that someone in Woodbridge had called it repeatedly. That led them to Amin, and a family member of his told the detectives that Amin was at the hospital after having been in a car accident.

Amin had a cut on his neck and on his hand, both self-inflicted, Shillingford said. Shillingford said he discreetly slid a small tape recorder onto the gurney above Amin’s head and recorded his comments.

“Something bad happened,” he said Amin told him. Shillingford asked what he meant, and Amin said, “My girlfriend was arguing with me; she was cursing me out, and something bad happened. I think I beat her.”

Shillingford said he asked, “Did you stab her?” He said Amin responded, “With what?” Shillingford said, “That’s what I’m asking you.” He said Amin replied, “She had scissors, but I don’t want to talk about it.” That scissors had been found near the body was not publicly known.

Economics and Politics of Free Market in Afghanistan

Article by Sanjar Qiam:

Does the open market economy of Afghanistan takes into estimation extra-market conditions, including history?

Afghanistan economy has always been open market; in the sense, it was never regulated. Non-market institutions and forces have been determinants of trading in Afghan economy. The strength of informal market forces has been stronger than market forces. The creation of informal markets is a resultant of market adjustment to operate under the shadow of political forces. Informal markets and patterns of trading that have developed over many years and operate according to well-established patterns. Market performance depends on extra-market conditions, including history and non-market institutions. The influence of political forces on the market combines market performance elements to exclude many from taking part and enjoying the benefits of participation. Some aspects which could result in exclusion are social and economic structures, gender relations, ethnic identities and spatial patterns of production. In the present condition this pattern of market performance is reinforced and they have the potential to destabilise the country politically.

The booming non-formal economy is highly regulated by informal institutions and is said not to be free. The appearance of economic dynamism hides the fact that informal social regulation actively restricts competition and participation. This lack of competition means that the distribution of the benefits of markets (and therefore of economic growth) is skewed towards those who are already wealthy and powerful.

The way markets are currently functioning is also having a negative effect on political governance and “state-building.” There are close, mutually beneficial links between big business and political and military power holders. Businessmen receive security, tax exemption, credit and in some sectors (such as construction), access to lucrative contracts. For power holders, the linkages provide a means of investment and the potential for money laundering. The accrual of benefits from these markets provides them with the resources to strengthen their military and political power still further.

The costs of these trends to social equity, further growth, political stability and environmental protection are considerable.
A close look at; how Are Markets Run? Who is doing business? What sorts of market tactics are deployed? What sort of business are they doing? How are markets regulated? Despite their usual description as “informal,” markets are heavily regulated by “non-state” forms of regulation. Many of these regulations are embedded in social and ideological norms and institutions. How are government attempts to regulate markets effecting?

The keys areas across Afghan major market sections are: The construction business: a growing sector controlled by a politically-connected oligopoly. this business is highly lucrative. Contracts worth billions of dollars have been assigned to afghan construction companies to build NATO basis, garrisons for afghan armed forces, road construction and many reconstruction projects. Second; The carpet market: a growing sector, but with benefits for whom? And third; Raisin exports: government bureaucracy and bribe-taking, but no quality control or support. Fourth; the aviation industry. Several companies have started their operation in the last couple of years. Carrying passengers internally and internationally. And fifth is the oil business; companies like gas group with close link to the northern alliance have started to operate in the last few months.

The Negative Reality of Afghan Markets

There are four major reasons why the issues identified here matter:

Inequality is worsened by the skewing of benefits from markets. Many of those who emphasise the importance of growth, also recognise that it is not just the quantity of growth that is important, but also the quality. How would the current business environment effect inequalities?

Future growth is constrained: Private sector led development is considered the key to Afghanistan’s longer-term economic development. However, discussions about private sector activities are often based on an assumption that markets in Afghanistan are open and all that is needed is the stimulation of “entrepreneurship” among Afghans. In the current non-competitive environment, those opportunities that are provided are not open to all, but are captured by those who are in a position to do so, creating a self-reinforcing pattern of exclusion.

Existing patterns of political and military control are reinforced and “state-building” diminished. The operation of markets in Afghanistan is closely linked to broader political economy issues. Insecurity reigns throughout the country and the disarmament of warlords and militias in Kabul and elsewhere has been impeded by internal and external politics. The military and political control exerted by regional and local commanders is underpinned by financial resources that come from a variety of licit and illicit sources, including the narcotics trade, customs revenues, revenues from mines in some regions, and unofficial taxation.

The failure to understand linkages between political power (both inside and outside central government) and the economy sometimes leads to an assumption by policy makers of an inherently mutually positive relationship between economic growth and “good governance,” with a lack of clarity about the direction of causality. The realities of the Afghan political economy are that while improved governance may improve the distribution of economic benefits, economic growth will not necessarily lead to improved political governance. Indeed, unless there are concurrent changes in the ways that markets function and in the distribution of the benefits of economic growth, the chance of genuine democratic change and increased security may actually decrease with further economic growth.

Rohullah Nikpai Afghan Olympian’s return to Kabul Afghanistan

Following images are once again courtesy of FARDIN WAEZI @ Thru Afghan Eyes :

[For uptodate current event pictures, please Bookmark his Blog]

So previously we brought you the videos and images from Beijing, where Rohullah Nikpai won Afghanistan’s first Olympic Bronze Medal. Now, courtesy of Fardin Waezi, Photo journalist in Afghanistan, we bring you pictures of Rohullah Nikpai and other Afghan Olympian’s recieving a warm welcome upon their arrival in Kabul Afghanistan.

Rohullah Nikpai swarmed by fans upon his return to Kabul

ohullah Nikpai and other olympian’s motorade on a road cruise around Kabul to share the jubilation with the rest of his country men.

Kam Air (Afghanistan’s privately owned airline company) presents another Cheque to the Champion Rohullah Nipkai.

Rohullah Nikpai recieving a Cheque for $500,000 (AFG D)

Thousands of Afghans gathered at Ghazi stadium to celebrate Afghanistan’s Olympic Medal

Rohullah Nikpai along with Robina Moqimyar. Although she was hoping to return home with a Medal but her presence on a world stage is a Medal to herself and the rest of the Afghan populace.

——————————————————————————–

Image Copyright:

©FARDIN WAEZI / (thruafghaneyes) / AFGHANISTAN
Address: Shahr-e-Naw Charahe Ansari square opp. Of Ghazna Business Center Kabul Afghanistan House # 15
Cell Phone: 0093 0799 33 50 87

Sarah Rahmani Takesh

SARA Rahmani’s best-selling fashion design last year was a shirt made from a burqa remodelled into a peasant blouse with just a hint of cleavage.

This year the 38-year-old Afghan designer shows off her new season’s success, a jacket made from the black turbans worn by the Taliban and Pashtun men from the south and east of the country.

Ms Rahmani’s company, Sara Afghan, is one of three Kabul fashion labels that operate in an environment far removed from the baby doll fashions sweeping European catwalks.

The majority of women who buy from them locally want tailored clothes that are in keeping with local cultural sensitivities.

“This jacket is very popular,” Ms Rahmani says. “I used to make shirts made from burqa, but I think it is important to change with the season.”

Arian Yaqubi is back!

You heard it right! Arian is back with her new show on Pyam-e-Afghan. The show will go on air this Tuesday, the timetable are still to be announced. Arian rose to fame by interviewing several famous afghan celebrities, including Valy, Mozhdah, and Sharif brothers.

Few months ago she announced her resignation from the television, which came as a shock to her viewers. However, after several months now she is back with her brand new show!

Hawa’s Hot Afghani Clothes!

Few nights ago Hawa appeared in a different show on AATV, with her new Afghani clothing. If people watched AATV or not, but that night immense number of callers were throwing more compliments at Hawa, than the actual show or the real host lol. Hawa turned famous with her International Music show, in which she played brand new video clips of different countries singers. she has appeared on several other shows on AATV as well, and surely with her latest show she has risen AATV’s Viewers.