The 26th of Dalwa marks the 37th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet Red Army from Afghanistan. This day stands as a living testament to the unparalleled sacrifices, courage, and bravery of the Muslim nation of Afghanistan.
On the 6th of Dalwa, 1358 (1979), the arrogant and haughty army of the former Soviet Union, equipped with advanced weaponry and technology, invaded defenseless Afghanistan. Their aim was to destroy the faith and Islamic values of its people and to establish a secular and irreligious regime in the country. Yet, in the course of their failed and imposed invasion, they caused the deaths, injuries, imprisonment, and disabilities of over one million Afghans, forcing thousands more into exile.
Although a small number of misled individuals sided with the occupiers, the entire noble and faithful nation of Afghanistan took up arms at the call of “Allahu Akbar”, with empty hands yet hearts full of faith. Once again, they raised the banner of jihad and independence, rising from the mountains and villages, uniting as one, and ultimately transforming into a force capable of toppling the homes of entrenched tyrants.
By the grace of Allah Almighty, they dealt such a decisive defeat to this Elephant-like invading army that it was recorded in the pages of history as a monumental and cautionary event.
In this long and bloody struggle for freedom and independence, the nation endured immense wounds and hardships, pains that still echo in countless homes today, where sons and fathers from that era remain missing, leaving no clear trace of whether they live or attained martyrdom. On several occasions, mass graves have been uncovered across various provinces, reviving the memories of the atrocities of those years and allowing families to identify their lost loved ones.
When the people of this land placed their unwavering trust in Allah Almighty, they never surrendered to the forces of tyranny and oppression, despite a decade of struggle, brutal atrocities, and crimes, events whose vivid images still linger in the minds of some survivors. Instead, they paid the price of freedom with their own blood.
They inflicted such crushing defeats upon the invading army that it lost all capacity and will to resist this nation and ultimately withdrew from the soil, even as thousands of its soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing. This defeat served as a lesson, a warning, and a historical admonition to other powers, deterring any thought of occupying Afghanistan.
In short, the 26th of Dalwa is a day of honor, pride, and national dignity. It bears witness to the courage of a nation that, through faith, perseverance, and tireless determination, carved its own destiny. The memory of the martyrs on this path will forever shine like a bright lamp in the heart of history, and the sacrifices and heroism of this free nation will remain etched in the golden pages of time, celebrated and revered year after year.
The children and grandchildren of those mujahideen who stood against the Soviet Red Army and laid down their lives now carry their ancestors’ historic glory with pride.
