With utmost humility and respect for the exalted position of the martyrs, the Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan commemorates the anniversary of the martyrdom of Afghanistan’s National Hero, the eternal commander of Jihad and Resistance, Martyr Ahmad Shah Massoud, and on this occasion extends condolences and sympathy to the noble people of Afghanistan, the esteemed families of the martyrs, all fighters in the path of freedom and justice, and freedom-seekers around the world.
The National Hero, Martyr Ahmad Shah Massoud, was not only recognized as a great military commander and an unparalleled strategist, but also as a deep-thinking intellectual and a statesman conscious of the demands of his time. His thoughts were based on freedom, social justice, national independence, and human dignity. Throughout his political and military life, Ahmad Shah Massoud consistently emphasized the necessity of just peace, protection of Islamic and human values, strengthening of national unity, and Afghanistan’s independence from foreign domination.
His legacy is a golden page in the contemporary history of our country. During the Soviet Red Army invasion, through his leadership of popular Jihad, he transformed the Panjshir Valley into a symbol of enemy defeat and a school of resistance. After the collapse of the communist regime, at a time when the despotic Taliban group cast the shadow of tyranny, ignorance, and violence over the homeland, Ahmad Shah Massoud once again rose with steadfast resolve and, by establishing the National Resistance Front, not only defended our territorial integrity and national identity, but also, through his perseverance, kept alive the flame of freedom, dignity, and justice in the hearts of the Afghan people.
Ahmad Shah Massoud’s political and social thought was founded upon dialogue, participation, and just coexistence. He repeatedly stressed that Afghanistan would only move toward stability and development when all ethnicities and groups stood beside one another in an atmosphere of trust, equality, and mutual respect. While he was a great commander on the battlefield, in the depth of his vision he outlined a future for Afghanistan based on peace, justice, and peaceful coexistence.
In his view, women constitute half of society, and a bright future for Afghanistan could never be envisioned without the active, conscious, and dignified presence of women in social, political, and cultural arenas. He firmly believed that depriving women of their human and social rights was not only a betrayal of half the nation’s population, but also a major obstacle on the path of Afghanistan’s progress and prosperity. His support for girls’ education and the role of women in rebuilding society is a clear testament to his progressive ideas in this regard.
The National Hero of Afghanistan did not limit his struggle to resistance within Afghanistan’s geography; he also carried the voice of the Afghan people’s suffering to the world in the realm of international diplomacy. With deep understanding of regional and global developments, he knew that combating terrorism, extremism, and despotism required the support of the international community. His historic trip to the European Parliament and his explicit warnings about the threat of terrorism’s expansion today stand as clear evidence of his profound vision and political foresight before the eyes of the world. Massoud sought, through constructive relations with friendly countries and international organizations, to transform the resistance of the Afghan people not only into a national movement, but also into part of the global struggle against extremism and terrorism.
Alongside the National Hero, the Martyr of Peace, Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani—the leader of Jihad and Resistance and a distinguished political and religious figure of the country—also always played a fundamental role in guiding and strengthening the Afghan people’s struggles. The close cooperation and mutual trust between Professor Rabbani and the National Hero constituted a strong foundation for the continuation of Jihad and resistance against occupation and despotism. Professor Rabbani, as the political leader, and Ahmad Shah Massoud, as the military commander, were the two wings of the National Resistance who, through harmony and shared vision, were able to keep the flame of freedom, independence, and justice alight in the most difficult historical circumstances, leaving behind a joint and brilliant legacy in the memory of the Afghan nation.
When we turn the pages of the country’s honors, immortal names such as the Martyr of Peace Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, the Martyr of National Unity Professor Abdul Ali Mazari, Martyr Professor Abdul Qadir Zabihullah, Martyr Haji Abdul Qadir, Martyr Abdul Mutalib Baik, Martyr General Abdul Raziq, Martyr Professor Saboor Farid, Martyr General Mohammad Daoud Daoud, Martyr Engineer Mohammad Omar, Martyr Ahmad Khan Samangani, Martyr Sayed Mostafa Kazemi, Martyr General Abdul Rahman Sayedkhili, Martyr Khan Mohammad Khan, and hundreds and thousands of other renowned and unknown martyrs are recalled in our minds—martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the dignity and honor of the people and became role models of immortality in the path of pride and glory. The name and memory of these martyrs, along with the martyrs of the Republic era, the martyrs of freedom movements, and the martyrs of the past four years after the return of the despotic Taliban group, will remain guiding lights for today’s and tomorrow’s generations, keeping the path of resistance, freedom, and justice illuminated.
Today, as our nation is once again trapped in the claws of despotism and backwardness, the memory and name of Ahmad Shah Massoud and other martyrs of freedom shine like a radiant star to illuminate the path of the future. The mission of today’s and tomorrow’s generations is to draw inspiration from the thoughts and sacrifices of this great martyr and his companions, and with firm determination, strive for the realization of social justice, the establishment of a people’s government, the protection of the rights of all citizens—especially women and youth—and the achievement of Afghanistan’s true independence and freedom.
On this great day, the Supreme Council of National Resistance calls upon all freedom-loving forces, intellectuals, youth, and women of the country to, with unity and solidarity, continue the path of the National Hero, Martyr Ahmad Shah Massoud, and not allow the pure blood of the martyrs and their lofty aspirations to be consigned to oblivion.
In conclusion, the Supreme Council of National Resistance pays tribute to the pure souls of Martyr Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Martyr of Peace Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, and all martyrs of the path of freedom and justice, and beseeches the Almighty God that the blood of the martyrs may guarantee the awakening of our nation, pave the bright path of freedom and independence, grant patience, determination, and perseverance to the generations of today and tomorrow, and deliver our afflicted land of Afghanistan from the grip of ignorance, despotism, and injustice. May the memory and name of the martyrs remain a source of inspiration for steadfast determination and a banner for the realization of justice, freedom, and human dignity in this land.