My story, by Soraj Ghulam Habib
By patrizia pompili on Monday, November 26 2007, 16:12 - Soraj Ghulam Habib - Permalink
My name is Soraj Ghulam Habib. I am from the Herat Province of Afghanistan. I was born in a war period and grew up in a conflict/violence situation in Afghanistan. I started school at the age of 8 years old and I wished that I would grow up one day to work for my family and society. I was 10 years old when I lost both my legs and become disabled, and I forgot about what I wanted to become when I grow up and work for my family and society as well.
Now I am a wheelchair user and I cannot do anything but study. I hope I can honour my commitment to myself and my society via my studies. Yes, I am the victim of a cluster bomb, this hidden enemy of human beings. One day in my childhood I was eager to play with my friends in my neighborhood in heart. Suddenly I crashed into an unidentified object and it claimed half of my body. I lost two of my legs and some of my friends were injured too. Playing and entertainment ceased. I was thrown into suffering and difficulties, and my family received a son without legs, a wheelchair user forever. My regular studies were interrupted for the rest of my life. I am not speaking only on my own behalf, but I am addressing and speaking on behalf of the thousands of innocent and victimised children of my country who have lost parts of their bodies and suffered due to mines, cluster bombs, and destructive war, Now they are in very bad situations with no study opportunities or facilities. Who is going to take care of us? The conferences which are organised concern disabilities; I am not asking them to return my legs, because they can’t do that, but I am asking them to provide opportunities and a situation for my self-reliance; as a member of the human race I am asking them to provide study opportunities. I don’t want my children to face the same problems I have. As a victim of cluster bombs who lost two of his legs, I propose to those who produce, use and transfer these harmful weapons: Please stop cluster bombs, you would stop them for sure if your own children faced such a disastrous destiny. Let’s sign and approve the total banning of cluster bombs like the other philanthropist countries that have signed the treaty. Let’s work for PEACE PEACE PEACE, not just for me, but for all humanity.
Comments
Soraj
Tena koe [greetings] from Te Wai Pounamou: the South Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
In the next few weeks I hope to complete a series of articles and stories about those like yourself who are working so courageously to ban cluster bombs and other exceptionally inhumane weapons.
I would like to have your permission to put your story [above] into the publication I am writing for. It is a church newsletter called "Hot Topics" published by the Churches Agency on International Issues and will focus on three weapons [CM's, APL's and DU munitions] and advise readers on actions they can take to help ban all three.
Mau tonu ake te rongo [Peace will reign forever]
Rob Ritchie
Hi Soraj
I just read what you wrote. I am sorry for what happened to you.
I am available whenever you want to write to me.
I live in the US and I am born in Lebanon.
I am glad you are working for the ban of these awful weapons.
We build weapons because we succumb to fear and greed.
I am glad that some of us refuse to live in fear and refuse to act out of greed.
I hope more of us will be inspired by your work and your dedication.
Magdi
Thanks to people like yourself with any luck on Dec 3rd they will stop using cluster Bombs.
It is people like your self that make a difference.
Than you for speaking out.
Take Care.
Soraj: Thanks for your post and your efforts, especially now that Afghanistan has signed the treaty. I work with wounded vets from the war and would love to have you in my circle. Please email me at gemini56dr@yahoo.com.