Rebuilding Afghanistan: Our Future, Our Responsibility

By Daud Azimi

[Print version of this transcript]

Feb. 25—One of the founders and leaders of the Ibn-e-Sina Research and Development Organization (ISRDO), Daud Azimi, gave a presentation, “Rebuilding Afghanistan: Our Future, Our Responsibility,” at the Feb. 16 internet seminar sponsored by the BüSo, titled “Peace through Development in Afghanistan and the Middle East.” The following is a transcript of his remarks, translated and edited by EIR. Subheads have been added.

Dear brothers and sisters, distinguished guests, esteemed compatriots, I speak today as part of this great Afghan family—as someone who, like you, carries a deep love for our country in his heart. Today we are not talking about war, not about destruction, not about what we have lost. Today we are talking about what lies ahead—about hope, about opportunities, about a future that we ourselves must shape.

We have achieved our political independence. But now the real battle begins—the battle for our economic independence! Because, my brothers and sisters, a country that is economically dependent on others remains vulnerable. It remains vulnerable to sanctions, to manipulation, to the will of foreign powers.

But we want an Afghanistan that is strong. An Afghanistan that takes care of itself, that can feed its children, that gives its youth a future. An Afghanistan that we can all be proud of! And that is exactly what is possible. It is in our hands. The time for waiting is over—we must act ourselves!

Let’s be honest: we Afghans have waited too long for someone to help us. For some other country to come and build the roads for us, set up the factories, create the jobs. But has that ever brought us prosperity? Has that ever brought us independence? No!

We must finally understand: nobody will build Afghanistan for us. We have to do that ourselves. And we can do it! We are not helpless people. We are a people who have shaped history, a people who have produced kings and scholars, warriors and traders, builders and poets. So, why should we not be able to raise our own country from the ashes?

Look around you—Afghanistan is not a poor country! We have fertile soil that can feed us and many other countries. We have rivers that can provide enough energy for the whole country. We have natural resources that can make our country a center for industry and economy.

But above all, we have our people—hardworking, smart, courageous Afghans who are ready to rebuild their country. The return of our lost talent—Afghanistan needs you!

We all know that millions of Afghans have had to leave the country in recent decades. Some left to survive. Others left to acquire knowledge and skills. Today our brothers and sisters live in Europe, the U.S.A., Canada, Australia and many other countries. They are engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, scientists. And many of them long for their homeland. Many want to return. Many want to use their knowledge to help rebuild Afghanistan.

I ask you: Let us imagine what would happen if our skilled workers came back from abroad and used their knowledge here in Afghanistan. Our universities could become centers of learning and innovation. Our industry could grow, modern technology could take hold. Our agriculture could become more efficient so that no Afghan would have to suffer from hunger anymore.

That is why I am making a direct appeal today to all our compatriots abroad: Your homeland needs you! Come back, bring your knowledge, invest in your own country! There is no greater honor than building your own homeland.

Ibn-e-Sina—The Bridge to the Future

But for this reconstruction we need a structure, a platform that brings Afghans together—regardless of origin, religion or political opinion. This bridge is Ibn-e-Sina. Ibn-e-Sina is not a political movement. Ibn-e-Sina does not belong to a single group. Ibn-e-Sina is a bridge that should unite all Afghans who have the same goal: to rebuild Afghanistan!

Just as Ibn-e-Sina, the great scholar, revolutionized medicine by collecting and developing knowledge from different cultures, this organization should unite knowledge and specialists to heal our country—not with medicine, but with progress, with industry, with education, with economic power.

Key Areas for Reconstruction

Let us think practically. Afghanistan will not be built by dreams—but by hard work, by smart planning and by brave decisions. We have five key areas that will drive Afghanistan’s reconstruction:

1. Agriculture—Our path to food security: 85% of Afghans work in agriculture, yet we import food! This must change. We must improve our water supply, introduce modern irrigation systems, use technology. Projects such as the Qosh Tepa Canal, which will irrigate 500,000 hectares of land, must be accelerated. Specialty crops such as saffron, pomegranates, nuts and dried fruits can make Afghanistan a global export country.

2. Energy and infrastructure—Without electricity and roads there is no progress: Afghanistan could generate 23,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power—more than enough to power the country. New hydroelectric plants must be built so that every household has electricity. Roads, railways and bridges are necessary to connect our country to the world.

3. Industry—Jobs for our people: We must build factories to process our own raw materials. Afghan businesses must be strengthened so that we are not dependent on imports. Young Afghans need vocational training and jobs!

4. Health care—Every life counts: Afghanistan has too few doctors—we must change that! New hospitals must be built, medical staff trained. Health must not be a privilege—every Afghan deserves good medical care.

5. Education—The key to the future: Every child in Afghanistan must have a chance at education! Our universities must teach modern science and technology. Knowledge is the real power—without education there is no progress.

The Time Is Now, the Responsibility Is Ours!

My brothers and sisters, today is a decisive day. We cannot wait any longer. No one will save us—we must save Afghanistan ourselves. We must work, invest, build, teach, research, innovate.

I ask you: Are you ready to rebuild Afghanistan with your own hands? Are you ready to learn from the past and create a future worthy of us? Are you ready to lead our country from darkness into light? I know the answer is, yes!

Make Afghanistan Great Again! Let us stand up. Let us act. Let us rebuild our country with pride and dignity. Today a new era begins: an era of progress; an era of independence. Let us make Afghanistan great again! Thank you.

My special thanks go to the Schiller Institute, which fights tirelessly for peace, development and a just world order. Your support and your vision are invaluable!