Happy Father’s Day from Alaha Ahrar, World Poetry Youth Team Director!

 

Ariadne’s Note: This letter  from  Alaha Ahrar, one of our World Poetry family is full of wisdom and history. It is a moving tribute to her Afghan father and to all fathers on this day.

Kh.Abduallah

Kh.Abduallah

My Father is an Afghan Man

Happy Father’s Day

Today many Americans celebrate Father’s Day.  As I Think of such an amazing day, I start remembering all the kindness, love and support that my father has given to all of his children during very tough situation in Afghanistan to this day.

I always try to inform as many people as I can about the generosity, courage and magnificence of Afghan men.  Most people all over the world are very good at judging and generalize the issues that many countries face. As a result, many people have negative stereotypes about Afghan men. They believe that all Afghan men cut the nose and ears of their wives and daughters or that they imprison or kill their wives, or that  they do not allow their female family members to go outside their houses or that they do not let women to get an education.    

All Afghan men are not evil or cruel!

The only thing that is evil and cruel is the stereotypes that some people believe without having enough knowledge about an issue.  People must understand that due to the continuous decades of war, Afghan men are sensitive and critical of their female family members movements. Any wise man in any part of the world would not allow his daughter to go outside the house, while bombs are landing everywhere and some ignorant militants would kidnap or assault his daughter.

I was born and raised during the wars of Afghanistan. My siblings and I grew up during very difficult situation, where there was just war and insecurity. All the educational institutions were closed due to war and instability.  My father, who was a banker struggled to handle all of his responsibilities as a father, husband, brother, son and as the elder of all his relatives. 

These struggles proved my father an extraordinary man.  He is very wise, sincere and rational.  My father strongly believes in equal rights of education for men and women. He believes that all men and women of Afghanistan should receive either academic or industrial education.

Due to the ongoing wars of Afghanistan, the situation became very appalling. There were shocking news reports of assaults, acid attacks and kidnappings of women everywhere in the war zones areas of Afghanistan.

I grew up in Khair Khana, which was one of the safest areas during all the severe civil wars. 

Although Khair Khana was very safe, like all other Afghan men, my father also decided to not allow his daughters to leave the house for a very long time. It was a very tough decision for him but he knew if he let us go outside the house alone something terrible could happen to us. To protect the reputation of his daughters and himself, he decided to not let us to leave the house even for a five minute walk. However, he made our own house an academic institution and environment.   He asked some teachers to come to our own house to teach us mathematics, geometry, physics and English.  My parents’ daily conversation with their children was always about academics and education. The lessons that they taught us were the lessons of peace, care and respect.  My parents are the most amazing parents on earth.  Although they believed that we could not control the political situation of Afghanistan, they knew that we could make our own house a peaceful and loving environment.

My parents stated that we can allow our children to experience peace in our own house so that they can raise their children in a peaceful family environment. Therefore, my parents gave so much love and support to each other and their children. I do not recall a single bad moment between my mother and father. Sometimes they argued but they never argued in front of their children.

My parents always tried to nurture the feelings of love, care and respect in their children. They always told us to live not only for our own selves.  They said, if you want to remain alive, get as much education as you can, afterward with your knowledge and wisdom, help and benefit others. Then even after your death your names will shine worldwide. The future generations of this world will read about your works and will try to follow your schools of thoughts, actions and humanitarian services.

On Father’s Day, I want to share some of my father’s advice with you.  I was almost eleven years old, my siblings and I were having dinner that my father told us:  “You all will grow up and will go in different directions and will have unique jobs. It is possible that you will become very wealthy; so, remember what I tell you today for a lifetime:  Money never bring happiness and success. You all came with bare hands and bare feet to this world and you will leave this world that way. You won’t be able to carry anything with you. Therefore, never be greedy, mean, jealous and stingy. Even if you have ten houses, you will live in one of them at a time, even if you have thousands of cars, you will drive one of them at a time, even if you have zillions of dollars at different banks of the world, you won’t be able to eat more than five meals a day.”

My father said: “here is my advice for all of you. Do not be so greedy that you cannot share even a small amount with others or give to charity, whether it is food, money or other essentials. You need to save some money. Do not be wasteful because if you save nothing for yourself you will not be able to give and help others as well as yourself.  

It is important to keep a balance in life. Give and save! This balance will lead to a happier life for everyone.

I am extremely proud of my parents, especially my father. He is a brilliant man, with a very beautiful heart and soul because of his rational decisions, his children grew up the way he wanted them to.  I truly thank God for granting him as my father.  

My father is one of the examples of many great Afghan men. There are millions of extraordinary and amazing men, who are the nicest and the best friends to their families. Therefore, I truly wish all amazing fathers all over the world a very happy Father’s Day!

Alaha Ahrar

Alaha Ahrar

 

When I first came to this world, I saw you

I was innocent, unaware and unable to know you

However, your fatherly warmth and love

Urged me to trust, believe and gradually view you

Therefore, I went to sleep peacefully and since then,

Never tried to hurt your feelings to sorrow you

You are an extraordinary father that

Generosity, courage and wisdom, God bestow you

Spiritual Meditation and loving creatures’ practices

Have even more distinct and *bashaw you

During all the tough situations and struggles

Your beliefs remain firm and nothing could harrow you

*Bashaw : as a “noble man” in English and as “King” in Turkish and Arabic languages. 

Best regards,
Alaha Ahrar
Saturday, June 15, 2013 (C)

This entry was posted in Featured Poets, General, World Poetry Canada International Peace festival and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

22 Responses to Happy Father’s Day from Alaha Ahrar, World Poetry Youth Team Director!

  1. Una Bruhns says:

    What a beautiful Tribute to Your Father … never judge a man unless you walk in his shoes. Thank you for sharing.

  2. Masouda says:

    I love your thoughts and wisdom. Your dad is very lucky to have a daughter like you.

  3. Forozan says:

    Dear Alaha Jan,
    Whenever, you write something, I always try to be the first to read it. When I read it then I keep reading it again and again and each time I feel very proud of you.
    Thanks for being so much nice and kind to your people, country, family and friends.
    All are very lucky to have you.

  4. Thank you Alaha Ahrar, and thanks to your father and mother too, for rising to life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.

  5. Patrick says:

    Hello Alaha

    Very beautiful tribute to your father, take good care of him, for he truly loves you by giving you freedom.
    B safe
    Patrick

  6. Zelfar says:

    I was searching the internet for some reliable sources to cite in my paper that I saw this page. I stopped and then scroll down and saw your picture. I can’t type here to tell you how I feel now.
    I am so proud of you. When I first saw you. Now it is more than 10 years. You were the nicest in the class. Everyone in the class was competing with you, you knew it but you were there for everyone.
    I know what is they key of your success, you were honest, true, polite, humble and not jealous at all.
    I am sure Khudawand is with you. MA

  7. Hannah says:

    You are a wonderful daughter that every man and woman wish to have.

  8. Aziz Seraj says:

    I have never read such an interesting, touching and wonderful article and poem.
    Your father is a proud man!

  9. Joe says:

    THIS IS BRILLIANT

  10. David says:

    It is always good to see the other side of the coin. It is unfortunate that what we always hear through media, we believe them.
    It is my first time that I can feel I am reading something, which is true.
    Afghanistan and its people need more of these types of talents.
    Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts

  11. Naseema Parwani says:

    I am impressed to know that this article reached to more than 80 countries. Congratulations Canada and Alaha Ahrar!

  12. Andrew says:

    Dear Ariadne Sawyer:
    Can you please say that from how many countries poets are connected to World Poetry Canada?
    I was amazed when I read this article was listed as one of the most influential articles of the month in the world.
    Thanks,
    Andrew K. F

  13. Sayed.Waheedullah Mahmoodi says:

    hello>I am sayed.waheedullah son of sayed Mustafa.remember me or no?

  14. Ahmad Shah says:

    I saw this article in Alltop website. It was in Most Topular Stories but now it is at the far right side under the picture.

    http://vancouver.alltop.com/

    Proud!

  15. Engella says:

    Dear Alaha Jan, You are a star and idol for all other Afghan girls, congratulations! Afghanistan needs such voices and talents and we are proud to having you as one of those girls crossing the barriers and raising voice of rights and equality. Wish you more success in your life.

  16. Murray says:

    Dear Alaha, You are a wise, lovely and beautiful daughter, and your great Father is a beautiful example to learn how to raise wise and lovely children!

  17. John Kissamitakis says:

    Thank you so much for sharing my dearest Alaha!
    The tribute to your Father is quite amazing and your Father should be proud that he raised such a Wonderful Daughter!
    Best of Love ~ John Kissamitakis

  18. Roya says:

    This article and poem are written beautifully, they both touched my heart.

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