Kabul, Afghanistan – Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has drawn widespread attention and praise after making bold remarks in recognition of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the late National Hero of Afghanistan. His statements, delivered under the shadow of Taliban dominance, are being viewed as an act of political defiance against the group’s ongoing efforts to erase the memory of resistance leaders.
A former soldier of Massoud expressed deep gratitude to Karzai, describing his comments as both courageous and nationally significant. “In today’s Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s illegitimate and hostile rule seeks to silence every independent voice, Karzai’s tribute to Massoud represents a rare attempt to preserve the nation’s dignity and unity,” he said.
The soldier noted that honoring Massoud’s historic role is no easy task under a regime that brands dissent as a crime. “Anyone who speaks the truth or aligns with genuine national interests risks imprisonment or violence,” he added.
Karzai, who has long advocated for unity among Afghanistan’s divided communities, is being credited with resisting the Taliban’s campaign of historical erasure. Observers argue that his words remind Afghans of their shared identity and the legacy of leaders who stood against tyranny.
Critics say the Taliban, driven by resentment and intolerance, have sought to undermine national heroes like Ahmad Shah Massoud. The soldier insisted that Afghans must challenge the old notion that “Afghanistan has no good among the living and no bad among the dead,” stressing the need to honor national figures while they are alive.
Concluding his message, he echoed Karzai’s own words: “May you prosper, God willing.”
