Dhafir was sentenced to 22 years for consciously violating the sanctions against the people of Iraq… Dhafir’s refusal to be silent in the face of genocide resulted in seven government agencies investigating [his charity] Help the Needy and intercepting his mail, email, faxes and telephone calls, bugging his office and hotel rooms, combing through his trash, and also conducting physical surveillance. They were unable to find any evidence of terrorism links, yet the stench of such alleged associations infused the trial…

I found it very instructive that, even though I was sitting right there in the room next to my attorney, the revenue officer referred to me often as, “The Taxpayer.” I had to bite almost clean through my tongue to ask him if he calls every person, “The Taxpayer.” Here in the good ol’ USA, we have been reduced to either, “Taxpayers,” or “consumers,” never, “citizens.” We are conditioned from birth to feed our masters, toil for them, and care about them before we care for our own flesh and blood.

The governor of Kunar province said that during a night raid on January 16, NATO forces killed 5 civilians during a “kill-and-capture” raid as coalition helicopters fired into a compound. Among the 5 were 1 woman and 2 children.

Train buddy Utkarsh

Dearest Abdulai

It was really great meeting you and clicking those pictures.

You have a tough task ahead. Stand brave against the odds and your genuine heart and crystal clear thoughts will take you to your dream.

Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers Featured in the Times of India

“Have you ever heard of an Afghan promoting peace,” Ali asks casually and everyone in the room falls silent, the only smile was on Mahatma Gandhi, looking down from a framed photograph.

“The world must be tired of the word ‘love’ but it is something we crave for. Our biggest wish in life is to see lasting peace in our country,” he added.

A procession of roughly 40 people in jumpsuits, accompanied by guides and supporters, marched two by two to the White House one more time. The men and women in jumpsuits were arranged along the fence encircling the White House, in the “picture postcard” zone, creating what Paki called an “orange out,” obscuring the iconic view of the president’s mansion.

January 11, 2012
by the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers
on tour in India

Ali, Faiz and Abdulai at the Gandhi Memorial in New Delhi, India

Indian, Afghan and human poverty Faiz, Abdulai, Ali and I are travelling in India to learn from Gandhian practitioners ( in Ekta Parishad ). We wish to learn how to mobilize people from the villages to protest non-violently.

Immediately, we’re encountering our own poverty.