From Afghans to Gazans: Why can’t we touch your face? + Freedom Flotilla 2 prepares for Launch

Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad
http://ourjourneytosmile.com
June 26, 2011

Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers flew kites
for the people of Gaza
photo by Hakim

Dear friends,

The approximately 1000 ordinary people sailing with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II ought to stop us in our ordinary tracks at least for a moment.

Why are ordinary people doing this for others not related to them?

Why are ordinary people supporting these freedom sailors?

Why are a few governments against this non-violent human solidarity?

How can we live without crying?

Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad
http://ourjourneytosmile.com
June 15, 2011

Dear friends,

Peace from Afghanistan, specially to those with the Caravan of Solace far-away in Mexico, who strengthen us with their poetic struggle.

From Afghanistan, we need you to know: Walking together is not a weakness. It is our everything.

Dreams and Dignity by Hakim

Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad
June 8, 2011

Dear friends,

Gandhi had said, ‘Proneness to exaggerate, to suppress or modify the truth, wittingly or unwittingly, is a natural weakness of man and silence is necessary in order to surmount it.”

The 2011 Taliban Spring Offensive: Obama’s Obligation to Protect Afghan Civilians Under International Humanitarian Law

by Kathleen Kirwin, Esq.
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad
May 4, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

On Saturday, March 30^th, the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan under its nom de guerre, The Taliban, declared the launch of this year’s spring military operations (the “Spring Offensive”) against the “invading Americans”, their foreign allies, internal supporters, high ranking officials of the Karzai government, including cabinet members and lawmakers, as well as heads of foreign and local companies who work with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In response to, and in anticipation of, the Taliban’s announcement, NATO officials in Brussels have advised that international forces in Afghanistan have tightened security, security services employed by “westerners” working in Afghanistan have issued lockdowns and travel restrictions, the Afghan government has tightened security across the country and security has been increased at military bases.

Hakim Discusses Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, Interviewed by David Swanson

Image via Wikipedia

with Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad
April 5, 2011
Kabul, Afghanistan

davidcnswanson on Apr 5, 2011

Kabul
April 4, 2011
Interviewed by David Swanson

Afghan Police Protecting Protesters! + Former Afghan spy chief forms grassroots movement

by Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad

ourjourneytosmile on Mar 19, 2011

Afghan Peace will NOT come from the Powers

Hakim
Guest Writer
Dandelion Salad

ourjourneytosmile on Mar 8, 2011

Before the Afghan winters…
Children like Abdulai collect fuel
9 Kunar fuel-collecting children were killed by NATO helicopters
Peace was vandalized
We’re committed to peace & will rewrite peace 100 times over
Ali, what is Aziz Jan writing?
Aziz Jan is writing, ‘Why not love?
Ali Agha, what does’ Why not love’ mean?
It means…’Why not be friends?’
The wishes of the People are not fulfilled by the Powers
Dear youth, to bring peace, let’s not just talk like the elders
Just come and walk the path of peace
Why not bring peace?
Why not love?
We grieve for those killed in war.
We will walk and work for peace.
‘I wish to live without wars’
Day of the People’s Peace
Afghan News Year’s Day
21st of March 2011
http://livewithoutwars.org

Facing the horror of needless Afghan War

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

photo by Dandelion Salad

joefriendly | January 10, 2011

Back from Afghanistan, Kathy Kelly, Eric Stoner, and Mike Ferner make clear the needless tragedy of death, maiming, and destruction going on daily that the American People need to face and reject. Moderated by actress-activist Vinie Burrows, they negate Obama’s claim the US is on track to meet its goals or even making progress, pointing to the unacceptable murder, torn bodies, destroyed buildings from our cruel empire’s bombing, rockets and shooting. They talk of Afghan children and adults challenging the US logic of killing and maiming their family members and destroying their homes and other structures without good reason. Event January 7, 2011 at All Souls Unitarian Church in Manhattan, sponsored by their Peace and Justice Task Force and Grandmothers Against The War, particularly Joan Wile. Camera: Joe Friendly

Afghanistan – The People’s December Review

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

ourjourneytosmile.com
December 27, 2010

In the first person voice of Abdulai, a fifteen year old Afghan boy whose father was killed by the Taliban:

Dear Afghanistan: A New Year’s Call for Peace

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

ourjourneytosmile | December 25, 2010

More info: ourjourneytosmile

We want you out!

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

photo by Dandelion Salad

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

ourjourneytosmile | December 14, 2010

Nowhere to Turn and Nowhere to Hide

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

ourjourneytosmile | December 01, 2010

War does this to your mind

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

ourjourneytosmile

October 22, 2010

We remain sad

dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

ourjourneytosmile

Oct. 6, 2010

“Look, the whole world is upside down and considers itself smart & kind,
but look at its wars and wars,
and its inability to build anything.”
15 year old Ali

We all sense that something is not quite right about the Afghan conflict, about our foundational responses to ‘terror’, about our global grasp of fear & anger.

But we do not pursue that sense.

Zekerullah: If you should kill me unawares, don’t forget I had asked for your friendship and love

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Sent to DS from Hakim in Afghanistan.

photo used with permission from Hakim

All Rights Reserved

http://ourjourneytosmile.com

*through Skype calls to the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers on the 21st September 2010 International Day of Peace….. If you and your friends would reach out this way, even for a minute, please email dougwmackey@gmail.com and arrange to talk with the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers!

“We will plan to be together the whole day of 21st to receive calls, for all of 24 hours from 8.00 am, … We’d rather take your calls than join the ‘officials’ in paying lip service to peace…and we’d rather stay awake to hear your voices than sleep without those human connections we yearn for.” Hakim and the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers