Criticizing the current government, the Mujahideen, or any political figure is the right of every citizen. However, there is a big difference between criticism and insults.
A few days ago, I watched a video of a young and beautiful female singer who lives in a Western country. While talking about government officials, she used some of the most offensive and insulting words. Honestly, I did not expect to hear such language from a young woman living in the West, in a free and democratic society.
This is not just one example. For more than forty years, many people outside Afghanistan have spent day and night insulting governments, leaders, the Mujahideen, the current government, and politicians. But one important question remains. What has it changed? Did insulting people rebuild Afghanistan? Did it end the war? Did it eliminate corruption? Did it bring freedom, justice, and prosperity to the people? The answer is clear. No.
Insults do not reform a government, change ideas, or bring people together. Instead, they increase hatred, divide society, and close the door to meaningful dialogue.
If a government official, a Mujahideen commander, a Taliban member, or any other public figure has made a mistake, we should criticize them with facts, evidence, and logic. Words based on truth and reason have value and can influence people’s thinking. Insults only stir emotions and do not create real change.
In developed countries, people also criticize presidents, ministers, and political parties. But most of those criticisms are based on law, reason, and respect, not offensive language. This culture of respectful dialogue is one of the reasons those countries have progressed.
Afghanistan has suffered from war, violence, hatred, and division for more than four decades. If our language continues to be filled with insults, our future will not be better than our past. What will change Afghanistan is not abusive language, but knowledge, education, reason, unity among the people, and peaceful civic action.
Let us learn that we can completely disagree with a government, a political party, a group, or an individual while still speaking with respect. Respect is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of culture, character, and maturity.
Noor Wodjouatt
