In his article, ‘In Afghanistan, Our Need to Rethink the Institution of War’, author Dr Hakim writes, “We’ve been thinking that we need armies to stop ‘terrorists’, but armies don’t stop ‘terrorists’. Instead, they give ‘terrorists’ reason to keep fighting”.

Dr Hakim says that it is “frustrating that whereas all human beings wish to live meaningful lives, we seem helpless in the face of a few individuals waging wars and exploiting our world.”

However he argues that “we can each do something about this insensible status quo, as ordinary folk of the People’s Peace Movement ( PPM ) show us by taking one barefoot-step at a time, traveling to the Northern areas of Afghanistan to persuade fellow Afghans, whether they’re with ‘insurgent groups’ or with the U.S./NATO/Afghan forces, to stop fighting. Their action of walking without shoes suggest to us that, for us to survive today’s militarized and profit-driven norms, we have to live each day differently, and with clarity and compassion.”

Read the full article here. Left click photos to enlarge.

The young want an end to war. (Photo: Dr Hakim)	The People’s Peace Movement ( PPM ) walking barefoot to the Northern provinces of Afghanistan, led by a blind member of their group, Zindani. (Photo: PPM’s Facebook Page)	The old want an end to war. (Photo: Dr Hakim)

Source: Common Dreams, 20 Aug 2018