Being part of Group 1, the text I read was very graphic, almost unreal at some points. I am sure Group 2 had the same kind of experience in their readings as well. But overall, this book really gets into some personal stories regarding experiences with the Soviet Union, Mujahideen, the Taliban, and family life. Some of the most unimaginable things happen, and it is always at the expense of the innocent. The most graphic story I read concerned the Taliban executing civilians. A man named Gulbuddin, Son of Mahfat Khan became a member of the Taliban. Other countries around the world felt the Taliban was a evil organization that would do more harm than good. But the Pashtuns believed the Taliban was good fortune. It stabilized southern parts of Afghanistan and they believed strongly in Islam. I can see why Pashtuns like Gulbuddin agreed to join the Taliban but the events that followed were pretty violent .
Sometime in October 1997, the Taliban had blindfolded hundreds of men into a truck where they would be exported another location for execution. At the location, a small 12 year old boy cried aside from the line of men. Gulbuddin felt awful at the sight and decided to smuggle the boy into safety. I don't think I really need to get into the way the blindfolded men were executed, but it was unbelievable what some men endured.
When I'm reading this as well as other parts of the book, I couldn't help but wonder what goes through the minds of those who perform the executions. As an American, it really is something to read. It helps in understanding why people would join the Taliban. At first sight, it seemed like a positive institution. But the longer it lasted and the more violence that occurred, I can't help but question the sanity of those who continued to serve it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment