Sovereign Strength and National Unity: Path to Stability and Self-Reliance

Speech at the 97th Anniversary of Afghanistan’s National Independence

Keypoints:

• Gratitude: Honor sacrifices of citizens and security forces
• Sovereignty: Protect Afghanistan’s independence and self-rule
• Unity: National and generational cohesion ensures stability
• Security: Strong forces safeguard the homeland
• Justice: Rule of law builds trust
• Diplomacy: Partner with the world for peace and progress
• Leadership: Act wisely, with strategy and responsibility
• Youth: Empower the next generation for development
• Economy: Combat poverty and mobilize resources
• Resilience: Purpose, resolve, and willpower overcome challenges

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Esteemed Hazrat Sahib, Vice President Danish, Mr. Masood, the Honorable Chief Justice, Mr. Mohammad Khan, my brother Speaker Muslimyar, the Attorney General, the venerable Chancellor Kashaf, distinguished Mujahideen, Mr. Arsala, political leaders, members of the Cabinet and Supreme Court, and my beloved generals, officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers—Peace, mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you.

Khush Kil Ding! Manana! Welcome!

The Debt of Gratitude to the Defenders

First and foremost, I offer my profound gratitude and recognition to the martyrs of Afghanistan. Every day, our soldiers, officers, and generals stand in the front lines of battle, ready for sacrifice. This is the ultimate expression of commitment. As your Commander-in-Chief, President, and the elected representative of this nation, I thank you.

Secondly, I honor the dedication of our officers and generals. Two years ago, the enemies of this country harbored the hollow illusion that Afghan commanders were incapable of managing a full-scale war. You have proven them wrong. You have established your capability through iron resolve. Thank you.

Thirdly, I thank the former Minister of Defense and the current Director of National Security, Masoom Stanekzai, the Ministers of Interior and Defense, the Chief of Staff, the Senior Deputy Minister for Security, and all members of the National Security Council—especially Mr. Atmar, who has managed the council's affairs with exceptional competence.

International Partnerships and Global Legitimacy

At this stage, I wish to thank our international partners—the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, and all nations at the Warsaw Conference—who reaffirmed their trust in Afghanistan with both lives and resources. We are not alone in this struggle. The world has understood and accepted our righteous stance. This partnership is built on the firm foundation of mutual interests and shared cooperation.

I want to specifically thank the great nation of Afghanistan. It is no exaggeration to say that in the last hundred years, the Afghan people have never shown such immense gratitude for the sacrifices of their security forces as they do now. I thank you for this support. To illustrate: on Youth Day, right here, I asked the young generation what their primary demand was. They asked for a single street to be named after the security forces. I told them: "Not just one street; in every province of Afghanistan, a major road shall be named in honor of our Defense and Security forces."

Justice as the Axis of Stability

I also wish to recognize the monumental steps taken by our judiciary under the wise leadership of the Chief Justice and the Attorney General. Our security forces have always maintained that stability cannot be achieved through the use of force alone. Our generals, having witnessed the horrors of war, loathe it more than anyone; yet they defend us against an imposed conflict. Therefore, the fundamental reforms in the legal sector are essential. The primary command of Islam, as Hazrat Sahib often reminds us, is Justice. An Islamic system and philosophy are anchored in justice, and I thank you for your efforts to establish a just order.

Similarly, I thank my Cabinet for creating the momentum that has restored the people's trust. We are preserving our water as our honor and utilizing our resources to alleviate poverty. We do not have the luxury of focusing solely on security; our primary goal is Stability. Stability requires that this "state vehicle" does not run on a single tire. Economy, justice, and governance must all move in tandem; they are inseparable. I thank Vice President Danish for his effective management of judicial reforms and the Minister of Justice and his colleagues for their tireless work. I also thank the National Assembly for passing a record number of laws, particularly those regarding our accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This is truly commendable.

The Mosque and the Moral Authority

I offer special thanks to our esteemed Ulema—Chancellor Kashaf of the Ulema Council and all scholars across Afghanistan. The stance you have taken is the true Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs. You have spoken the truth, stood for the truth, and called falsehood by its name. The greatest power in this land is the Mosque; the House of God is the ultimate force, and you have used it for the sake of the people and the pleasure of Allah.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our Jihadist leaders. Hazrat Sahib first, and though Pir Sahib is not here today, Speaker Muslimyar and all Jihadist brothers have shown deep love for this homeland, acting first on God’s command and then for the love of the country. I also thank our sisters, who represent the Afghan woman as a Muslim woman capable of speaking for herself, requiring no interpreter or surrogate.

The Meaning of Independence in 2016

Our youth have proven they are truly the grandchildren of our Ghazi (freedom fighters). Our history is both sweet and bitter. Ninety-seven years ago, we did not win "internal freedom"—we already possessed it completely. We won the freedom of our Foreign Policy. While other nations celebrate independence as a historical milestone, we unfortunately celebrate it while needing to renew our vow to defend that freedom. Afghanistan will never surrender its foreign policy to anyone. We are a sovereign state with a sovereign foreign policy focused on regional cooperation and international harmony with the Islamic world, Asia, and the globe.

Our success in foreign policy was once unimaginable, and I thank our security forces for this. Without your sacrifice, the commitments made at Warsaw would have been impossible. Afghan military management and bravery stand unparalleled when compared to others. You have shown the world that you possess commitment, management, and will.

The Global Front Against Terrorism

The war in Afghanistan is not a civil war. We are a land of Jirgas; we know how to convince one another. Therefore, the causes of this war must be identified. Today, nine international terrorist organizations, recognized as such by the United Nations, seek to use our soil for the destruction of the world. What bond do they have with us? What right do they have here? They only seek to kill.

To ISIS (Daesh): It was not only in Nangarhar that I crushed you; I will crush you across all of Afghanistan. Do not think you can enter the "Home of Lions" and be treated like foxes. We have the courage, but now we require the coordination. The world must understand who supports these movements. The Islamic world—especially following the great steps taken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—must stand in a unified front to protect the holy name of Islam from those who seek to hijack it.

The Four Pillars of Solidarity

In the blood of Hazrat Sahib Mujaddidi flows 400 years of the legacy of Mujaddid Alf Thani. Who in the Islamic world can lecture Hazrat Sahib on Jihad or Islam? People must understand who they are talking to. Come and debate our Ulema; we will listen to logic, but we will never submit to force. We must create total unity in four stages:

1. International: We thank our global partners and leaders like President Obama, Chancellor Merkel, and the leaders of Italy, Japan, and Australia for our shared interests.

2. Islamic World: The fatwa from Mecca was vital; it must become a permanent process of cooperation.

3. Regional: The absolute majority of our neighbors, from India to Russia, understand that a stable Afghanistan benefits the entire region. We have established excellent ties with Iran and Central Asia.

4. Pakistan: Our message to Pakistan is clear: state-to-state relations within the framework of our supreme national interests. We will not compromise on our national interests. Only within this framework can regional stability be achieved. I tell the people and leaders of Pakistan—read the poet Iqbal:

"From her [Afghanistan's] discord, the discord of Asia / From her harmony, the harmony of Asia."

Final Vow: Prudence Over Emotion

In our current state, our first and last step is absolute support for our defense forces. My message to the military is: First, thank you. Second, no politics—none—has a place in the Army, Police, or Intelligence services except the politics of National Unity. Every soldier represents the honor of every Afghan.

Two years ago, you took a burden upon your shoulders that was previously held by over 100,000 international troops. Critics thought you would fail. But having walked province-to-province with you during the transition, I knew you could complete a ten-year journey in two. If you were like a thirteen-year-old heir two years ago, today you are twenty-year-old warriors capable of defending this land against anyone.

Unity is our shield. Our enemy is not just war; our enemy is poverty and a fractured economy. This can only be solved through agreement, unity, and a clear roadmap. My final word is Willpower. We are purposeful. We have a clear political will. Afghanistan will reach stability, peace, and prosperity.

The President of Afghanistan does not have the right to negative emotions. This seat is not for feelings; it is for prudence, deep reflection, and consultation. Every step we take is for the good of the homeland. My first accountability is to the Presence of Allah, and my second is to the national interests of Afghanistan. I believe in a day when we will celebrate this national day without the sound of gunfire, and without the blood of martyrs.

Yashasin Afghanistan! Tal de wi Afghanistan! Zindabad Afghanistan! Long live the Defense and Security Forces of Afghanistan!