Vigil and Awareness Rally - Reflections

Dear Fiza Jaan,

This past weekend (3/17/2012) Noor and I attended a Vigil/Awareness rally for the murder of innocent Afghan civilians. It took place in Fremont, Ca at the Bill Ball Plaza. We chanted, prayed, mourned and remembered the innocent lives that were brutally killed at the hands of an Army Staff Sergeant, Robert Bales, 38. Of course the media is covering that it was the work of only Bales but as details of what took place is revealed, it is quite impossible that one man was able to commit such a heinous crime.

When we arrived at the rally, it was right before 2pm which was the noted start time. Everyone that was present seemed so in tune, the organizers had done an impeccable job of setting up and creating a peaceful environment, there was a sense of warmth even though we had an overcast weather, with chilly winds and sprinkle of raindrops here and there.  

There was a turn out of close to 300 people (Media unfortunately estimated 100-150 which was wasn't surprising). Anyway, about 30+ of us took signs that had peaceful, moving and invoking messages and stood by the street sharing our purpose. It was quite moving to see all young, old, men, women, Afghans and non-Afghans come together in solidarity spreading the message of peace and justice. The message that stuck most with me was “books not bombs” that was held by a child. It was hard to look at him directly because I was constantly reminded of the children whose lives were taken during that night raid, reminded of the young children who pick up grenades thinking they are toys and get their limbs blown up and reminded of those children who have forgotten to hope and dream because their daily lives are disturbed by foreign terrorists. 

The second half of the rally consisted of a prayer for the dead (Salat Al-Janaza). This was my first Janaza prayer and it was quite touching; may peace and justice come to the dead souls. Then we heard from community leaders, activists, and our elders who shared stories of atrocities committed against the Afghan people in the past and prayed that our people get through this one. The cold wind was picking up but we stood there united, calm, remembering what those families and children may have experienced during the night raid when these soldiers barged into their bedrooms and snatched them out of their warm beds and killed each child in front of their mothers/family members. I can not bring myself to write down for you the details that were shared at the rally of what took place that night. All I have to say and do is pray for those mothers and fathers who have lost everything in just one night; their lives will not be the same.

There was also presence of the Iraq war veterans who shared a moving message. I connected with one of the veterans and she said, “We are promised the world when we join but end up with nothing in the end.” How can a country that calls itself democratic and “forward thinking” allow such immoral practices? We have done away with the draft process but indirectly we still follow it by making the journey so enticing to our youths and promising the world to them. Thinking back to high school days, I remember being very confused about my after high school journey and how I was going to survive in the big world out there-it was quite scary to think of life after school and the realization that my incubator was going to be no more. I only wished for someone to “guide” me and “hold my hand” after I walk that stage with a diploma in my hand – being the first in my family to go to College, I had no sense of what to expect. Now as I put myself back in those moments of thoughts and fears of the unknown, I can only imagine what a youth in that state would do if someone from the Army approaches them and promises them just that – safety, hope, dream, direction etc – why wouldn't a confused, lost, scared youth join in hopes of “finding their purpose in life.”

It was disheartening to hear the Vetran talk at the rally and share how good people who join the army turn into monstrous soldiers. He shared that these soldier’s daily language and thoughts turn to pure hate because that is the only survival mechanism for them and their harsh reality. In order to meet the demands of their daily duties they are forced to flood their minds and hearts with pure hate, anger and fear. No wonder these soldiers who return have severe forms of depression; they either end up committing suicide or murdering their family members. With war, every life that is involved gets shattered all the while the leaders sit comfortably in their cozy homes strategizing and profiting at the expense of innocent lives.    

Afghanistan has seen so much devastation for the past 30 years; once at the hands of the Russians our motherland was destroyed, families displaced and hopes shattered and now because of America. I love this country and it is too bad that the image we draw of our people, values and ethics is compromised in other parts of the world. It is wrong that our government draws a nasty picture of Americans across the globe. We all should stand up together and chant “Not in our Name.” We are peaceful and loving people and that is the face that the world should see not the terrorizing images of night raids and drone attacks experienced by the innocent. The question that we Americans need to ask ourselves before we follow blindly is, “if war was so right and these policies and values that our leaders preach are worth fighting for than why is it that their own children are not out there on the front lines? Why are they not out there in the line of fire, why does it have to be my brother and sister fighting while these cowards sit comfortably in their extravagant offices making “good” policies for our future and envisioning "democracy" for their futures.” STAND UP I say to those who are following blindly and fighting senseless wars – your lives are not worth it, promises are only made to lure you in and then you are on your own! stop letting these callers of war shove fear into your minds and hearts. As one of the speakers, Abobaker I. Mojadidi, said so eloquently, "stop shoving (your concept of) democracy down the Afghan people's throat" through terror, fear and war. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH is my message to the world.