PASHTUNWALI
For an Afghanistan mountain tribe, Pashtunwali is a sacred duty to give shelter and assistance to anyone in need. For a member of that tribe, Mohammad Gulab, that meant giving aid to a U.S. Navy Seal, the lone survivor of a four man commando troup that had been ambushed by the Taliban. Gulab took the man home and eventually moved him to a cave to keep him safe. For two days they took turns guarding the cave while another man traveled to the base in Asadabad to get help from the American soldier at the base.
The price he has paid is more than many of us might be willing to pay. When word of his deed began to spread, Gulab faced death threats that meant he had to abandon his home, his vehicle and all of his possessions and move his entire family in with his brother-in-law near the U.S. base at Asadabad. He tried to return to his home and was met with violence that almost ended the life of his brother-in-law who had gone with him. The man took a bullet to the chest. And the death threats continue to besiege Gulab and his family.
According to Gulab, the solider promised him $200K and the military personnel who came for the wounded soldier promised to relocate him and his family to the United States. But Gulab is still in Afghanstan, living with his brother-in-law and making about $250.00 a month working on the base. Neither money from the solider or relocation assistance from the military has been forthcoming. The military denies the relocation claim is true and says only that they have taken unspecified positive actions toward Gulab and others to show the appreciation of a grateful nation and says that they know nothing about any promises the soldier made. And the solider apparently has nothing to say.
We bring war to their country, placing them between us and the Taliban, give them life in a seemingly perpetual war zone and expect what in return? That they will support us while they struggle to survive scavaging for edible plants?? Have we improved the quality of their life? made them safer? or put them in more danger?
Gulab says that despite everything that he has suffered and endured, he has no regrets about saving the life of another even if there is nothing more in return. A man of conscience, a man of his principles. He can go to sleep tonight with a clean conscience.
Pashtunwali--how many of us could live up to it?
The price he has paid is more than many of us might be willing to pay. When word of his deed began to spread, Gulab faced death threats that meant he had to abandon his home, his vehicle and all of his possessions and move his entire family in with his brother-in-law near the U.S. base at Asadabad. He tried to return to his home and was met with violence that almost ended the life of his brother-in-law who had gone with him. The man took a bullet to the chest. And the death threats continue to besiege Gulab and his family.
According to Gulab, the solider promised him $200K and the military personnel who came for the wounded soldier promised to relocate him and his family to the United States. But Gulab is still in Afghanstan, living with his brother-in-law and making about $250.00 a month working on the base. Neither money from the solider or relocation assistance from the military has been forthcoming. The military denies the relocation claim is true and says only that they have taken unspecified positive actions toward Gulab and others to show the appreciation of a grateful nation and says that they know nothing about any promises the soldier made. And the solider apparently has nothing to say.
We bring war to their country, placing them between us and the Taliban, give them life in a seemingly perpetual war zone and expect what in return? That they will support us while they struggle to survive scavaging for edible plants?? Have we improved the quality of their life? made them safer? or put them in more danger?
Gulab says that despite everything that he has suffered and endured, he has no regrets about saving the life of another even if there is nothing more in return. A man of conscience, a man of his principles. He can go to sleep tonight with a clean conscience.
Pashtunwali--how many of us could live up to it?
posted by Hope at 6:32 PM
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