National Unity, Justice, and Determined Response Against Terrorism

Address to the Nation following the ambulance bombing near Jamhuriat Hospital - Kabul

• National Mourning: Shared grief and solidarity with victims
• Justice & Accountability: Pursuing perpetrators and networks
• Counter-Terrorism: Firm response against Taliban violence
• National Unity: Standing together beyond political divisions
• Security Reform: Strengthening defense and intelligence institutions
• Peace with Strength: Seeking peace while winning the war
• Public Mobilization: Calling citizens, especially youth, to serve
• State Authority: Reinforcing a strong and capable government
• International Responsibility: Demanding action against terror support
• Resilience & Hope: Turning grief into national determination

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

First and foremost, I offer my deepest condolences to all my compatriots, sisters, and brothers. Today, it is not only the families of the martyrs in Kabul who are mourning; the entire nation of Afghanistan sits together on a shared bed of grief. This day is unforgettable, and atoning for this treacherous act is the duty of every Muslim and every Afghan.

Our mosques are our trenches. I express my special gratitude to our esteemed Ulema, who donated their own blood to treat the wounded and, as always, stand at the forefront of our people in a unified national front. This was not merely an attack on a child, a woman, or a man; it was an attack on the entire nation of Afghanistan, and it demands a national, comprehensive, and country-wide response.

Let people not forget: even if it takes a hundred years, Afghans will take their revenge. First, eleven individuals have been arrested and their roots have been uncovered. Their origins are known. The Taliban have claimed responsibility—specifically those Taliban who neither know the path of God nor accept the Sharia of the Prophet (PBUH). Such an act has no place in our great religion, in which Muhammad (PBUH) is the leader of humanity. Those Taliban who do not believe in these atrocities must separate themselves, for today the lines between truth (Haq) and falsehood (Batil) are being drawn. The side of the Afghan people and the Afghan state is the side of truth. Those who commit treachery against the people and disobey God's command—that killing one human is akin to killing all of humanity—belong to the side of falsehood, and falsehood is destined for defeat.

Second, the center of the Taliban is Pakistan. The time has come for the government of Pakistan to decide: they must accept for the world of Islam what they accept for themselves. Or is their view that only their scholars understand, and other scholars know nothing? As the Mawlawi Sahib mentioned, the message of the holy religion of Islam knows no color—black, white, yellow, or red—but was sent for all of humanity. It is for this reason that the President of Indonesia, the largest country in the Islamic world, came here to share in our grief.

A systematic list of these individuals and their networks has been shared with the government of Pakistan. We are waiting for action. Talk of "processes" and such are merely words on paper. The nation of Afghanistan demands action—clear and specific action.

Across various provinces—from Kabul, where you witnessed the arrest of these traitors in Fazel Beg, to Logar, Ghazni, Helmand, and Band-e-Timur—nationwide measures have been taken. Last night's operation in Band-e-Timur was extremely successful, and these efforts will continue.

The people of Kabul have made a serious demand for the security plan of Kabul to be revised and for clear, comprehensive measures to be taken. On Sunday, all our security and defense officials will present a nationwide security plan for Kabul to me. The security of Kabul and its citizens is not a matter for political bargaining or political maneuvering. At this time, there is only one politics: the politics of "Afghaniat" (Afghan-ness). Other types of politics have no place on this day or in these conditions. Security and defense officials will be appointed solely on the basis of competence, responsibility, and commitment. The police chiefs for the 34 provinces have been announced. In this regard, we will witness clear actions in the coming week and thereafter.

Peace is currently in ambiguity. Peace is the demand of the Afghan people. I have said from day one: if peace comes at the cost of my life so that an Afghan child can, God willing, reach the age of ninety, I would gladly sacrifice my head for it. But today it must be clear: we will be victorious both in war and in peace. For those who do not accept peace through politics, there will be a national movement. I am consulting on this national movement. I will seek advice from all our Jihadi figures, all our esteemed Ulema, all politicians, tribal elders, youth, women, and all civil society sectors. We will make demands, especially of the youth: come and join the ranks of the security and defense forces. This land belongs to you. This soil is the result of five thousand years of sacrifice. Today, this trust is placed upon your shoulders, and together, God willing, we will fulfill it.

Strengthening the state is essential both for winning the war and for achieving peace. A state that lacks clear authority will be mocked.

Respected compatriots, sisters, and brothers! Fortunately, in the field of international politics, you have won the ground. Now is the time for our unified national policy to manifest all its dimensions and strength, as it has throughout history, and to implement its decisions with absolute decisiveness. Our national unity and solidarity are enduring and can never be damaged. But our message is this: today we must gird our loins and stand in a single file under the word of "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" and under this great flag and noble banner of Afghanistan. [Takbir: Allahu Akbar]

Our way is not the way of mere shouting; our way is not the way of retreat. If people think we will break, we are not of those who break. The first lesson I learned in my childhood—and all the Ulema and elders here know this—is that when grief strikes, do not cry first. Gather the guests, and make the funeral arrangements. Once the deceased is buried, there will be plenty of time to reflect on our sorrow. Today is the time to organize our grief. Grief must turn into will. No one can break us. This President of yours is not a President of retreat. He is a President of logic and will, because you stand in a unified line behind me. Let there be no doubt or suspicion: for this homeland, the trust that has reached us from hundreds and thousands of years will not be betrayed. This is a national trust, and it will be fulfilled.

I truly thank our security and defense forces once again; however, the need for reform is clear, especially in our intelligence (detective) institutions which sometimes ignore information. Clear actions are necessary, and this has been identified. Finally, I thank the respected media. Our media are always involved in our national mobilization and the nationwide discussions of a free society. But when a society is under comprehensive attack, the role of our media becomes significantly more serious.

Once again, I pray to Almighty Allah for paradise for the pure souls of all the martyrs, and I wish a speedy recovery for the wounded. I ask the nation for patience, for endurance, and for action. Today is the time for will; today is the time for coordinated actions; today is the time for unity and harmony. For those people and those circles who have been deceived, now is the time to understand that the enemies of Afghanistan do not wish us well. This enmity is not with one individual, one government, or one person; it is with a great nation. And this great nation, as it always has throughout history, will emerge victorious.

Long live Afghanistan!