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KABUL, Afghanistan - District elders held a Grand Jirga Thursday in Moqur, one of the districts most affected by the insurgency in Badghis province.
A Grand Jirga is an ancestral convention between Afghan rulers and the population. This Jirga has not been held for 30 years in Moqur due to wars and unrest. It stopped when the Soviets invaded and didn't start again afterward because of a civil war followed by wars with the Taliban and between ethnic factions.
Before the Soviet invasion, each region in Afghanistan used to hold a festival for residents. The festival coincided with the arrival of spring. Elders would outline their political programs for the year and participants would enjoy food, dancing and singing. In some regions, sporting events were also held during the celebration.
This year, the province governors appointed by the Afghan national government participated in these celebrations. Locals said they believe the return of the Grand Jirga is a sign of a return to normality in the governance of the province, and in particular in the Moqur district.
With the presence of ISAF troops partnered with Afghan units at two advanced bases, one in the capital district where mostly U.S. troops are housed and another one in Sang-Atesh where mostly Spanish troops are housed, the security situation has improved. Moqur is a border district between Pasthun and Tajik tribal areas. Its population, at first concerned about the insecurity of the area, is now showing signs of normality and willingness to begin reconstruction.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2010 05:55 |
| Story ID: | 49520 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 197 |
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