Interview with a Suicide Bomber
Adil Najam of All Things Pakistan recently interviewed a Taliban-inspired suicide bomber. The content speaks for itself, however, there are a few points worth highlighting:
- The aspiring terrorist claims the religious high ground, but can’t seem to recall any specific fatwas or the clerics who issued them.
- He claims that “Nobody is innocent”, including other Muslims and innocent children. Again, he knows this because it’s written in “a book” that he cannot name.
- It’s pretty obvious, based on his answers and regional demographics, that he is illiterate. However, that makes him more of an exception to the rule when it comes to those chosen to carry out suicide missions. See my review of “Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism” for clarification.
- Note: The man in the picture on the right is not the subject of the interview. He is Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban whose been in hiding since the 2001 invasion. See “Where in the World is Mullah Omar?” for more information.
Comments and criticism are welcome.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
dickmill | Dec 8, 2009 | Reply
In the land of the one-eyed man, it’s the blind leading the blind.
Abdul Ali Faiq | Feb 6, 2010 | Reply
Dear Friends,
No one knows the pain of our hearts.
As Bashir Ansari stated:”Scholars from different fields of history and geography have known Afghanistan in diverse terms: Strategic Traverse, Crossroad of Conquerors, Silk Road Intersection, Roof of the World, Gate to India, Eastern Gate of Islamic World, Buffer Zone, Crossroad of Civilizations, the Great Gate of International Trade and some have called it as Heart of Asia”.
…From 545 to 1815, Afghanistan of today (Khorsan of yesterday) became the jumping board for all invaders to the golden vast lands of India. In the 6th and 7th centuries, this country was located between Sassanid Persian Empire, Central Asian kingdoms, China and the Arabian Sea. The Great Silk Road was crossing this country with commercial caravans from India, Persia, China, Central Asia, Iraq, Arabian Sea and Egypt. This country, as a main trade center of the Silk Road, was of the same reputation in the post-Islamic era as it was in the pre-Islamic ages”.
These suicide bombers destroyed Afghanistan totally. They don’t care about their lives. Mullah Omar is preaching nonsense for his believers and the Taliban are acting foolishly and clamming that they want to build a pure Islamic States. We don’t need what they are thinking. Our goal is totally different and simple. We need to live in peace, security, civil society, and democratization system.
M. Nazif M. Shahrani an Afghanistani-American Professor of Anthropology and Central Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Indiana University stated: “The ruling elites’ bases of power have always been access to outside patrons offering cash and military assistance, which they have utilized to enrich themselves through nepotism, cronyism and corruption”
Additionally, Taliban are used as a political condom by the power brokers and multi-continental powers. But the big actors such as Jalili, Khalilzad, Ahmadzia, Karzi, Atmar… and other ruling elites are gambling with the destiny of these cheap afghan Taliban.
Politically, Taliban are being rapped and molested by their ruling elites. The Kochi and Taliban are paying the price; the ruling elites of afghans (pashtoon) are enjoying the luxurious of life. The ruling elite’s families are living in Paradise, but a miserable talib is paying the price of this Paradise luxurious life. In these sense, I don’t have anything to offer to these cheap Taliban fighters. It is a common sense…It is not the gain of lose of Janat.It is a political game…Is not it?
Regards,
Faiq-Afghansitani