Afghans Quote by Asghar Ali Engineer
“Those who take to guns could do so due to deprivation, suppression, or historical legacy. The Afghans have lived through violence for centuries, by the Mughals, the Russians, their own people, so they have always had to fight for freedom... we cannot take away the context. But they legitimised it by using jihad, a religious sanction, so they could be seen as mujahids, fighting for Allah. And you cannot say there is nothing concrete.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussion on Afghan conflict, Asghar Ali Engineer, 2015
Violence in Afghanistan stems from long‑standing oppression, historical invasions, and cultural legacy, often framed through religious justification.
In simple terms: Afghans fight because of history and oppression, sometimes using religion to legitimize.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical context when assessing conflict.
Themes
conflict
history
religion
oppression
identity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- peacebuilding
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
colonial legacy
social trauma
political legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does history shape present violence?
- Can religious narratives be redirected toward peace?
A Different Perspective
Religious framing can obscure underlying socioeconomic causes.
![“Our [Afghanistan] main problem is education. Over 90 percent of our population is uneducated. So what can you expect? The terrorists come from Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, saying the Quran says this, Quran says that, and the Afghans believe that because they speak Arabic, they think they know the…” quote by Najibullah Quraishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/362/najibullah-quraishi-60061_afghanistan_our-afghanistan-main-problem-is-educatio_166123.jpg)
