Part 1
Author: Uzair Azam
Democracy is a political phenomenon of the Western world that it presents to underdeveloped countries, particularly Islamic nations, as an achievement and a source of pride. The West propagates it as a pathway to global legitimacy and spiritual privilege. However, the West conveniently overlooks the atrocities it committed during the Middle Ages, which still evoke profound emotions in people.
During the time when the West was navigating through these dark ages, the Islamic Eastern countries were at the peak of scientific and spiritual progress, civilization, and innovation. They established the first universities, madrasas, libraries, and academic discussions in Andalusia, which spread the light of knowledge and culture in the heart of Europe, awakening the Europeans from their savage slumber.
The definition of democracy or a democratic system suggests that people should govern over people, with majority rule as its cornerstone. However, it disregards the characteristics or qualities of this majority, the methods of selection, or the fairness of elections. As long as a simple majority of votes is secured, whether by fair or dubious means, it enables rule by the “50% plus one” principle, while the remaining 49% of the population holds no significance.
Upon the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Western occupiers introduced this model under the guise of a “republic.” In the most recent elections, with a population of 35 million, a mere 800,000 participated, most of which were fraudulent. Despite these figures, a two-headed government was established, labeled as democracy.
While democracy portrays itself as prioritizing the rights of women, children, privacy, human rights, civil liberties, and protection of civilian infrastructure, the ongoing crises in the Middle East, particularly the plight of Palestine’s oppressed people, supported by the West and the U.S.—expose the true adherence to these democratic principles.
Ustad Alfath remarked, “Democracy is akin to a barren tree; it yields no fruit nor offers any shade of benefit.” In Afghanistan, this barren, Western-backed democracy has played such ruinous games that even words fail to describe them.
Its most damaging outcome was the creation of ethnic, linguistic, and regional divisions among the population. Government positions were allocated based on ethnicity rather than merit or competence. The president was a Pashtun, while his deputies were Tajik, Hazara, or Uzbek, and to maintain this so-called balance, even a two-headed government—an executive branch—was introduced.
In essence, democracy in Afghanistan has unveiled its dark and ruinous side, plunging the nation into a crisis from which recovery seems almost unattainable.
Even the proponents of this democratic system find themselves at a loss, unable to navigate through the challenges it has brought. This occurred despite the bitter historical experience of the “People’s Democratic Party” communist regime. Leaders such as Taraki, Amin, Karmal, and Najib, under the façade of a “democratic Afghanistan,” inflicted suffering upon the nation, leading to internal conflicts and extensive devastation.
