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Statement of Abdul Karim Khurram
Minister of Information and Culture, Government of Afghanistan
On the occasion of Seminar to honor the 75th Death Anniversary of
Allama Mahmud TARZI
June 8, 2009 Istanbul
Honorable Mrs Shahidokht India d' Afghanistan, honorable Omar Tarzi, Director Tarzi Foundation, honorable Dr. Hayati Tofakchi Ughlu, Head of Euro-Asia Institute, intellectuals, academicians, and dear Afghan and Turk brothers and sisters:
It is indeed a matter of a great pleasure and pride for me to be with all of you today at this historic moment to commemorate Allama Mahmud Tarzi's 75th death anniversary- one of Afghanistan's greatest scholar, an intellectual, a modern thinker, a cultural and political figure, who is a symbol of pride for both the nations - Afghanistan and Turkey.
Allama Mahmud Tarzi was the Father of Afghan Journalism and was a brilliant politician and a key figure in the history of Afghanistan who rendered unforgettable services for his country.
Today, I am extremely happy to witness that his successors and members of his family have kept alive his memory and not letting the candle to extinguish set alight by Mahmud Tarzi. Today, we highly need that (candle) to enlighten all of us.
Dear Friends:
Unfortunately, today, we Muslims, Easterners, Turks and Afghans are not in very different situation in which Tarzi lived and struggled. During his period eastern countries were left behind, invaded and plundered. The same situation existed during the period of Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan and before. And unfortunately same position continues even today in this so called modern world which is a matter of great concern for all of us.
Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan, Allama Mahmud Tarzi and Allama Iqbal stood for freedom, peace and equality and today all of us want the same. Muslims always believe in peace, mutual respect and co-existence. Islam brings honor, humanity, peace and brotherhood and not hatred and violence. Mahmud Tarzi struggled against two major opponents, first the colonialists and secondly dogmatists, both damaged Islam.
Allama Tarzi was not only a literary person, thinker, writer and a political activist but also forged a strong friendship between the two brotherly nations, Turkey and Afghanistan.
This relationship is highly deep-rooted and historic. Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi-Rumi was burried in this great country. Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan lived here and Mahmud Tarzi was also buried here showing the historic and deep rooted relationship between the two countries. For we Afghans, this has a distinct meaning and significance as it shows the similarity between our thinkers, our struggle, and our cause. Today, Afghanistan needs personalities like Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi, Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan and Mahmud Tarzi. We hope that once again such personalities rise again and further strengthen the ties between the two Nations and fill up the vacuum created in Afghanistan due to the two and a half decades of prolonged war.
I once again wish to thank to mohterem Omar Tarzi, president of MTCF and the organizers of this important seminar and wish that the path of Tarzi is followed by many.
Thank you for your attention