A message from Mohammad Hussaini, Director of Star Compu-Aid

Saturday, October 24, 2015 Vol. 1, No. 12

2. Personal Essay3. Community4-5. News

6. Star-Related7. Literary8. Interview

See Inside Quote of the Week

I have joined Star Educational Society as the director of Star Compu-Aid, Star’s brand-new computer lab and computer department. My background as a first position holder in Kateb University’s Information Technology department is one of many qualifications I bring to this exciting new position at Star. In addition to my studies at Kateb, I attended IT classes in Pakistan and earned international certifications from Microsoft. I was in charge of capacity building classes and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) for two years in Kateb University and served as the head of the Computer Science Department at KarAmoz Institute of Higher Education

I am proud to introduce Star Compu-Aid, a window to the fast changing world of Information Technology, technological science and academic excellence. At Star Compu-Aid, you can learn the latest and most practical programs including Networking, Database, Programming, Graphics and Web Development. Star Educational Society, with the motto: “Join us for a difference,” is committed to offer the most sophisticated and comprehensive programs designed to meet the intricacies and requirements of complex

administrations and help young applicants of computer science master long term and short term programs.

Star Educational Society has always been a glittering star in the sky of education in Afghanistan. Its differences are remarkable compared to other educational centers leading it to become a reliable source of quality education for thousands of avid learners. Profuse programs such as English, Chinese, and Russian languages, computer training, and Teacher Training Classes are a few of the programs offered at Star. A library with myriad books, a fully-equipped computer lab and Interstellar, Star’s weekly newspaper, are other distinguishing features of Star Educational Society.

The team at Star Compu-Aid consists of veteran and skillful members who have been working diligently and incessantly in the computer field. In addition to completing their university educations, they are internationally certified in different courses such as Microsoft, CISCO, TMG, LINUX, and Virtualization. As the head of this department, I assert that my team members and I will provide Star’s computer students with top quality and up-to-date computer training programs so that they can become professional and can

successfully pass international tests. Let me not be verbose as it is said, “Actions speak

louder than words.” Therefore, join us and experience the difference.

"Necessity is blind until it becomes conscious. Freedom is the consciousness of necessity."

- Karl Marx

Star Educational Society Weekly

Proud to introduce Star’s new Computer Department and Lab

Interstellar (adjective): situated or occurring between the stars; conducted, or existing between two or more stars

HakimaLevel Two

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Zahra HussainiLevel Two

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AminaLevel Four

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TaheraLevel Four

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Ali JawidLevel Five

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HakimLevel Six

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M. NazirLevel Six

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ZarafshanLevel Four

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Ali HedayatLevel Five

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Ahmad SaeedPrep One

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TaheraLevel One

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ShamilaPrep One

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MohammadLevel One

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HashimSenior BeginnerSecond Position

FatimaSenior BeginnerThird Position

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Ali MaisamLevel One

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AliPrep Two

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SinaLevel One

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S.E.SJoin us for a difference

The Top Students of B-B Semester C Branch

October 24th, 2015

Vol.1, No. 12 Personal Essay

Page 2

everything (in Afghanistan) would change this instantly as to surprise the world. A new chapter was being added to the history of Afghanistan. The supreme leader of one of the most recognized international terrorists group who was a guest to the Taliban government had ordered a devastating attack on the American soil. The twin towers of “World Trade Center” at New York City were targeted by the Al ‘Qaeda group on 11th, September, 2001 at around 8:45 am. The event which is also referred to as 9/11, aroused the nationalistic sentiments of the Americans. They had to be avenged to rehabilitate their international status by any means necessary.

According to some sources, Taliban were ready to cooperate and let the U.S force arrest the leader of the convicted terrorists group after providing ample evidence suggesting Al ‘Qaeda’s involvement in organizing and undertaking the recent attack, nevertheless, America adopted a intrusive approach and the Taliban’s proposal was denied.

Once again, Afghanistan became the battlefield of international rivalry and selfishness of the power-mad countries, this time for the battle between America and Pakistan’s puppets; Taliban. Mullah Mohammad Omar led Taliban government was overthrown by the U.S and her allies after nearly 6 years of ruling over Afghanistan, in 2001.

We were watching cartoon while my father rushed in and changed the channel to BBC world news. It was the live coverage of the twin towers’ collapse. My father said: “Well, it’s time for all of us to pack and return to Kabul because Taliban have excavated graves for themselves.” We immigrated back to our own land. I had had heard a lot that Afghanistan had abundant trees and green valleys and mountains, yet, I could merely see a non-asphalted, unpaved single way route penetrating through an arid terrain for hundreds of miles from Qandahar to Kabul. The

I was born on 5th July 1992 in a lower-middle class family of nine members, in Kabul city, the capital of president Najib’s government which later on became his grave. Like all the other newborn infants, I too inherited a country with deep-rooted rivalry and antagonism amidst her myriad ethnicities which had consequently destroyed the very foundation of political stability, national unity and economic self-sufficiency. However, my childhood went on normally since as a kid, my environmental consciousness and comprehension of on-going situation was limited. So to say; I was an insane being in this insane world. That is what kept me happy…

Later on, I was sent to “Saied Jamalludin High School” to enjoy the right to free education. The school I joined was a public school and looked more like abandoned houses of a defeated minority. It had no teacher, benches, doors, boards, windows or any other necessities to meet the standards of being categorized as “school”. Lucky for us, we did have few teachers and a school principal who would approach students violently enough to practically illustrate the wrath of ‘Abdurrahman Khan’ against the minorities of his kingdom. He would spend most of his time “disciplining”, either by thick cables or stick from a berry tree (his two loyal companions).

During the reign of Taliban we had to emigrate from Afghanistan after my father’s incarceration by the

highway which was supposed to be traversed within few hours took us an entire day to travel through.

Kabul was an utterly transformed city; women could be seen walking around freely, girls and female teachers attending lectures with happy faces and men and adults well dressed and mostly shaved. People of this territory who were completely disillusioned and hopeless under Taliban seemed hopeful and enthusiastic once again. Citizens were encouraged to provide required facilities for their children to get education and send them to schools. I too, like any other school going Afghan kid joined others in experiencing a coeducational system for the first time in Afghanistan. Unluckily, I had to repeat 3rd grade.

My father, who was a senior employee of the foreign affairs ministry, was appointed as a secretary to the ambassador of Afghanistan in Ankara, Turkey. As diplomat’s family, we all had the right to accompany our father and stay with him till the end of his three year tenure. I got fortunate to get admission into an Iranian school but sadly I had to study 3rd grade for the third time since my documents and level of education could not meet my new school’s standard. Within few months, I could fluently communicate with my classmates and staff members in their own accent, and after a year I could top at all subjects, surprising my mates and teachers. My three brothers, two sisters and I were indiscriminately treated during our three year study. We were persuaded to read our topics, tell jokes and sing the school anthem before the students without any hurdle or prejudices. Whenever I stand before a group and talk with confidence, I subconsciously thank my Iranian teachers and realize that the people of every territory no matter which ethnicity they belong to, is the same human beings and what makes them stigmatic and notorious is their political leaders’ policies and propagandas.

government. My father was accused of anti-Taliban propaganda and activities. He was put behind the bars without a proper trial and evidence for nearly two years. After his release, the situation got even more chaotic. Taliban had begun to purge, expropriate lands, extend their coercive approach and deteriorate the crippled economic order. We had to runaway and seek refuge to a better place, sadly, we couldn’t make it to the West, and the only possible chance was to get to the land of Mohammad Ali Jinnah; Pakistan, the evil neighbor state. Pakistan was a safe haven those days since General Pervez Musharraf, who became the 10th president succeeding Prime Minister “Nawaz Sharif” by a military coup, had labeled “security” as one of the top priorities of his governance and apparently he had accomplished it at the initial days of his presidency. During our stay in Quetta, Pakistan, I got the chance of schooling in “Ferdowsi High School”. This school was named after one of the most eminent and influential Persian poets of Ghaznavids reign Hakim Abu ‘l Qasim Firdausi (935-1025 ce) the author of the epic “Shahnamah” (book of kings). There, I successfully completed 3rd grade but had to leave Quetta for Peshawar henceforth because of my father’s new occupation. Two seasons of a year of my life was wasted in Peshawar without even learning anything new or beneficial.

The coming days were not at all expected, and no one had imagined

About the author: Murtaza Qasemi is a Star Alumna and a current instructor of ESL in Star A Branch. He graduated from the department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He was the grand representative of Afghan Students in India. He organized numerous football tournaments, declamation and poetry contests for the international students.

The Itinerant life of a young Afghan: An Autobiography A concise story of the upheavals since 1992

October 24th, 2015

Vol.1, No. 12Community

Page 3

lock himself in. He proceeded to his chamber, which was rack

and ruin. He tried to lock it when he observed Marley's face by his very eyes. Yes, it was Marley with ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly forehead. The hair was curiously stirred and though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless. That, and its livid color, made it horrible. It was Marley's phantom, which had haunted Scrooge's chamber. Scrooge was extremely startled and terrified to death but he was endeavoring in vain to assure himself that there was no apparition but he got tremulous as the phantom started to call Scrooge's name. Scrooge felt the whole world was turning upside down. It was the most bizarre feeling ever. They had long dialogue about their past and business. The phantom warned Scrooge to alter himself in his future else he wouldn't have a cozy and comfortable life after his death. The apparition added that he, Scrooge, would be haunted by three more spirits, which prompted Scrooge to start begging with tremulous voice and shivering hands not to torture him.

Marley's spirit vanished and left him frightened and bewildered. He was trying to avoid encountering the other specter. Nonetheless, he could not manage it. After a brief elapse of time, the first specter of three appeared in front of Scrooge, who had to endure the situation.

The first ghost was ghost of Christmas past with a strange appearance. The ghost was resembling both an old man and a child. He took Scrooge to past, to another bygone Christmas.

The ghost was showing scrooge occurrences which were almost the same as his life's events. Observing the events, Scrooge started to do nothing but rue over his own past evil deeds.

The second ghost was ghost of present Christmas. He was a joyous, cordial and tender- hearted one. This specter was responsible to take Scrooge to various places and show him what the others were saying about him. Being reluctant, unwilling and somewhat agitated, Scrooge was dragged to his nephew's home by the ghost. Scrooge and the ghost were invisible to all. He found his nephew assembling with his co wining and dining with hearty and jolly laughter owing to Christmas. "my uncle is a jerk," said the nephew with hatred," he is such a materialist...." Everyone else was divulging a barrage of complaints about Scrooge. Hearing the facts, Scrooge got upset and crestfallen exceedingly. He was flaring from inside each moment, but he had to hear the truths about himself. Notwithstanding, he was acknowledging how mean, miserly and ill- tempered he was.

The third ghost was the ghost of future Christmas, which haunted him afterward. He was not uttering even a single word. He was communicating with Scrooge non- verbally by just pointing with his index. This ghost took Scrooge to future and showed him what bad words people will say about someone who isn't good. Finally, these ghosts wholly changed a mean, miser, ruthless and stone- hearted Scrooge to a kind, benign, benevolent and generous Scrooge.

organizations. Projects include teaching, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, working in human rights, environmental sustainability, leadership development and more. AIESEC members work with NGOs, schools and local institutions to run volunteer projects that recruit participants from all over the world. AIESEC is a perfect choice if you want to make an impact on the lives of others combined with having a great cultural experience.

Global Talent, is an AIESEC program which offers global paid management and technical internships for graduates. They are normally long term in nature and involve working on diverse business projects and in different organizations while enjoying a unique cultural experience and the opportunity to truly integrate a new environment. The AIESEC network of partner companies and organizations allows AIESEC to provide paid internships, and to provide talented and motivated graduates with

AIESEC:AIESEC is an international, non-

governmental, and not-for-profit organization that provides young people with leadership development, global internships and volunteer exchange experiences across the world, with a focus to empower young people so they can make a positive impact on society. It is the largest youth-run organization in the world with 100,000 members in 126 countries. AIESEC in Afghanistan was founded in 2002 by a young mastermind who believed that this organization could make a more positive impact on the minds and lives of young people in order to bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan.

AIESEC Opportunities:AIESEC offers thousands of

opportunities for students and recent graduates to intern and volunteer abroad. In 2014-2015, over 80 students from Afghanistan were among 30,000 from our global network to enjoy exchange experiences. Activating and developing the leadership potential of youth is accomplished through Volunteer Experiences, International Internships, and Experiential Learning. Kofi Annan once said, “In an era of globalization, AIESEC’s programs have helped young people around the world to develop a broader understanding of cultural, socio-economic and business management issues.”

Global Citizen, is an AIESEC program which offers unpaid internships around the world for students and recent graduates. They are usually short term in nature and involve working on diverse community projects and in different

Do you want to be a global leader?Are you a university student?Is your age between 18 - 28?

If YES, Register right now! Application deadline is 2 November, 2015

AIESEC in Afghanistan has started recruiting new members, so go to the following link and let AIESEC empower you with Leadership... Registration Link: http://bit.ly/join-aiesec-af

The story begins with a covetous, tight-fisted, introverted and avaricious man who had repulsed all his kith and kin away from himself. This old man, Scrooge, was done with his sole business partner's mourning and funeral party. Marley was his lonely colleague and confidant. Notwithstanding, he was no longer alive. He was deceased. Almost 7years later from Marley's death, approaching Christmas Eve and Christmas, his nephew disrupted him amidst his job by telling him," Merry Christmas, uncle." For these occasions didn't mean anything more precious than wealth to Scrooge, he replied sternly and voraciously, “What do you mean by merry Christmas?" he added," You are poor enough, humbug." He exceedingly perturbed his nephew.

Nevertheless, he was invited for a dinner by the heartbroken and upset nephew. Due to Christmas, his clerk, Mr Cratchit, was also beseeching for a furlough so that he could stay with his family members longer in Christmas.

It was Christmas Eve, the peal of people's cheer, hearty laughter and screaming all were deafening Scrooge. He decided to go to his chamber and

a way to stand out from the crowd and develop a variety of new skills.

Global Leader, is AISEC’s experiential learning and development platform created for youth by youth.

Why not join AISEC today?

We are a global movement of “do-ers” gaining the unique advantage of experiencing positions of leadership and acquiring a global mindset. These experiences allow us to acquire the leadership traits needed in the world such as: empowering others, being a world citizen, self-awareness, and being solution-oriented. Students across Afghanistan gain relevant professional experience. Our leadership development model encourages members to share knowledge, experiences, and a passion for world issues. Enhance your university experiences with real opportunities. You can intern, volunteer abroad or even lead a team. Feel a shared responsibility for the world and gain the tools to change it. Join us today!!

About the author: Nasrullah Hussaini is a senior English instructor at Star Educational Society, chairs the TOEFL-IELTS Department and is the head of Star’s Capacity Building Program. He also teaches Computer Programs at local Universities. His dream is to establish a software company in Afghanistan to meetlocal needs.

About the author: Shokrullah Bigzaad graduated from Star Education Society in 2013 holding the 1st position from Level 1 through Advance A. He currently studies Administration and Management, Faculty of Psychology in Kabul University. In addition, he works as a finance assistant in UNIMARS Business Group and volunteers in the Outgoing Exchange Department at AIESEC in Afghanistan. Star encourages all eligible readers to consider the special opportunity he shares with us in his article below.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Join AISEC today – a platform for youth leaders

Page 4

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that since the beginning of January, this year, thousands of Afghan refugees have tried to go illegally to European countries.

Nader Farhad, the spokesman of UNHCR in Afghanistan, said to the Radio Ashna that since the beginning of January, 2015 approximately 500 thousand refugees from different countries have tried to reach to Europe, including thousands of Afghan refugees as well.

Mr. Farhad said, "There are between 75 to 80 thousand Afghan refugees among them. But we cannot say an exact statistic, because some of them may be on the way or not registered as a refugee yet."

According to Mr. Farhad, All of these refugees have not gone from Afghanistan alone but a number of them are the people who were living in Iran or Pakistan

The spokesman of UNHCR in Afghanistan said that most of the Afghan citizens who are leaving Afghanistan are not aware of the risks and do not know about the laws of the European countries, even in some cases, some of them are deported from the Eropean Countries and returned after reaching to Europe.

Mr. Farhad said: "The refugees pass very risky paths in the deserts, mountains and the seas. And might not know about the laws of the countries and some of them face death risks.”

According to Mr. Farhad, from the beginning of the January of this year, about 2,500 refugees have lost their lives on the way to Europe which includes Afghan refugees also.

After the announcement of NATO Exit Strategy from Afghanistan five years ago and the declaration of ending Military Missions at the end of last year. The talks about the possibility of extending NATO mission in Afghanistan has once again begun.

After continuous attacks of Taliban in Kunduz and the fall of this city into the hands of Taliban, the NATO members have once again started talks of extending military missions, which could bring changes in their prior strategies. In relation to this, Ashton Karter US Defense Minister, on Thursday in a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels said, “NATO mission was supposed to be completed by the end of 2016, now the renewal depends to the new situation.” According to the statements of US Defense Minister, “In relation to the issue, most of NATO members have agreed to extend NATO mission.”

Meanwhile, Ursula Von der Leyen German Defense Minister, worrying about the current situation

National Department of Security (NDS) has announced, two terrorists who entered District 3 in Kabul, opened fires on the guests in a restaurant, were killed.

NDS in a news report which were posted on its official Facebook page had written that two of the National Security Forces were as well busy taking their meal while the incident happened, and took down the two terrorists at the very beginning of their attack.

The National Security forces in Khost; arrested Nematullah of Haqqani Terrorists group who was the commander of one hundred terrorists at ‘Dowmanda’ district. According to the national security press, Nematullah was arrested while he was trying to illegally cross the Durand border; wearing female outfit and veil in order to terrorize people in Khost province.

NDS added these terrorists, who were armed with AK47, hand grenades and many equipped ammunitions, wanted to target the civilians. According to statements of NDS, five civilians were wounded in this attack, two of whom later lost their lives.

The restaurant of Peace Cottage located in Dahbori, in which two terrorist had entered, wanted to barrage the customers and guests.

The National Security Press Office in a manifesto asserts: “the arrested criminal has confessed that he was appointed by Haqqani terrorist group as the military commander of a group of 100 terrorists in Meramshah and he has the responsibility leading terroristic activities in Dawmandi district of Khost province.”

of Afghanistan requested that the Exit timeline strategy of the NATO forces must be renewed and instead the strategies have to be based on the security situation. NATO forces declared to end their mission at the end of 2016. Recently, 13,000 NATO forces including 800 German forces are busy in training the National Army and Police of Afghanistan. They were supposed to abandon Afghanistan by the end of 2016.

After the fall of Kunduz into the hands of Taliban in the past two weeks, once again talks have started on postponing of NATO missions. Now, the decision also relies on the US forces missions because they are having the most forces among other NATO members.

Ashton Karter said on Thursday in a meeting that he is going to discuss with American officials on the number of troops of US in Afghanistan and on possibility of extending its economic support of the National Army till the end of 2016 and the coming years.

About 80 Thousand Afghan Refugees Entered Europe

NATO Missions Extend in Afghanistan

Two Attackers killed in a restaurant in Kabul

A Hundred Member Terrorist Group Leader Arrested

October 24th, 2015

Translated by: Jumakhan RahyabSource: Hasth-e-Subh Daily

Translated by: Mohammad AsifSource: Hasht-e-Sobh Daily 2229

Translated by: Mohammad AsifSource: Hast-e-Sobh Daily 2229

Translated by: Murtaza QasemiSource: Hast-e-Sobh Daily

Vol.1, No. 12 News

مجتمع اموزشى ستاره پروگرام هاى كمپيوتر خود را در بخش هاى ذيل اغازنموده است:

1 Basic Computer Skills 2 Microsoft O�ce Package3 Networking4 Web Development 5 Database6 Programing

عالقمندان جهت ثبت نام ميتوانند به دفترمجتمع اموزشى ستاره مراجعه نمايند.ادرس: دهبورى، ايستگاه سابقه، مجتمع اموزشى ستاره.

تلفن: 0786007274 / 0782522335star.compu-aid@gmail.com :ايميل ادرس

Page 5

The ministries of Defense and Internal Affairs have proclaimed that during the past 24 hours of joint operations of military forces of the two organs; more than 180 rebellious Taleban were killed.

The Defense ministry in a statement asserts that as a result of joint operations of military forces for suppression and elimination of the rebels in outskirts of Achen district of Nangarhar, Manogy of Kunar province, capital of Kapesa

The Mehrgan’s second international film festival was held by Academy of Arts in Kabul. This festival was held in the Science saloon of Ministry of Education participating artists, counselors from the president office, ministry of information and culture and other cultural entities.

Ali Mahdi Keyan, the festival director, told that last year was the worst year for artists and a large number of artists left Afghanistan and became said that a large number of artists at this year once again forced to leave the country and went to abroad.

He said that Afghan film industry was born in the first half of the twentieth decade, growth in in the fifty and first half of the sixtieth decade, but by the end of the sixtieth decade destroyed and now only the short films are breathing and are played and performed on screens

The director of the Mehrgan’s film festival added that currently only short films are alive in Afghanistan. He warned that if the government does not pay attention to art and cinema, short films

will also die.But Mussadiq Khalili, the Cultural

Deputy of Ministry of Information and Culture, mentioned the Mehrgan’s Film Festival as an important cultural event, and says that holding this festival is an important step to strengthening the Afghanistan’s cinema.

This festival will last till Thursday, simultaneously commemorating the artist's in Afghan Film Saloon and performances and shows in the saloon of Academy of Art.

Kabul: Ministry of Interior officials say that in the recent six months, 5636 terrorists were killed and 3102 were injured in operations led by Afghan National Forces. Siddiq Siddiqi, Ministry of Interior spokesman, said these number of terrorists were killed and injured in 2637 military operations during the reporting period.

Compared to the first half of last year, the amount of terrorist activities have increased thirty percent this year. He added, “Afghan military forces have also increased their operations due to the expansion of terrorist activities. These forces have been able to kick “crushing blows” to the terrorists.

Siddiq Siddiqi also said that in the past six months, 539 terrorists have been captured from the battlefields and 631 others were arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities. In the first half of the current year, Afghan Military forces confiscated about 3000 light and heavy weapons of terrorists.

The Ministry of Interior spokesman said police have made good achievements in arresting suspected criminals. The police had arrested 12,000 suspected people in charge of 539 criminal cases. He emphasized that the amount of crime has increased eight percent compared to the first half of last year. Sediq Seddiqi said that more than thirteen tons of opium, about fourteen tons of hashish, three tons of heroin and a large amount of alcohol was discovered and captured by the police.

province, Barke Bark of Logar, Zormot, Kanai and Dandeptan districts of Pakteya, Moqor and Gelaan districts of Ghazni, Nesh of Kandahar, Seyori of Zabul province, Khaas of Orozgan, Chora, Chenaarchob, charcheno, Saraab, Chakajoy, Dehraawod and Gezaab of Orozgan province, Kajraan of Daikundi, Shkamesh of Takhaar province, Kohistanat of Sar-e-Pol, capital of Faryab province, outskirts of Kunduz city, and Sangen and Musa Qala of Helmand; 150 Taleban militants were killed. The Defense ministry also added that as a result of these operations, around 54 Taleban were injured, and some weapons and ammunitions of the defeated enemies were obtained.

The Interior Affairs ministry, too, has stated that 32 Taleban militants were shot death during the joint military operations. This ministry also has announced that 28 more militants have been severely wounded.

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry had also informed about the death of 9 soldiers of military forces. The ministry says that these soldiers were killed as a result of road-side mines and direct armed contact of the Taleban militants.

180 Taleban killed in military operations

Mehrgan’s Second Film Festival Inaugurated in Kabul

More than five thousand six hundred terrorists killed during the past six months

October 24th, 2015

Translated by: Murtaza Qasemi Source: Hasht e Subh Daily

Translated by: Jumakhan RahyabSource: Hasth-e-Subh Daily

Translated by: Walid RahmanySource: 8am

Vol.1, No. 12News

Page 6 October 24th, 2015

Vol.1, No. 12 Star-Related

I clearly remember the moment when I was in 2nd grade and the Taliban closed the door of our schools. I dreamed of the day we would go back to school and learn to read and write. Finally, after the Taliban was driven out of the country, the day arrived and the schools’ doors were opened again. On one early morning when I was in 10th grade, we were studying Physics at Marefat High School when many stones broke through the windows and flew into our classroom. We all escaped from the class and saw the school door shaking as it was being hit with sticks and stones. The attackers were trying to get inside the school. This time it was not Taliban. It was a group of ignorant people who believed that Marefat High School was teaching Christianity. The protests and attacks on the school lasted for five days. It was during this time that I began to feel that I should do something to prevent people from attacking schools. I was afraid that another day would come and the doors of the school would be closed again.

I felt that every Afghan had a responsibility to stop violence, war,

delegates and peace activists from across the world. The delegates from thirty countries were united in their commitment to peace and happiness in their countries. Delegates who were awarded with the Global Youth Icon Awards included Mr. Fabeke Douglas Deeka from Nigeria, Mr. Ediola Pasholaari from Albania and Mr. A. R. Patil from India.

One of the most memorable peace activists was Bernie Meyer, nicknamed American Gandhi, who recently made an NGO for Afghan youth by the name of #ENOUGH! War. As he explained, their mission is to abolish war in Afghanistan. He wants people to work together and understand that we do not belong to a specific country, religion or tribe. We should break the boundaries and work for global peace together. They work online with Afghan youth and they have weekly online discussions where every youth from Afghanistan can join and share their ideas with people from across the world. As one of the delegates said, “A person in school asked me if I was Shia or Sunni. I went home and asked my

bombings and explosions that kill innocent civilians. So I started working as a peace volunteer. With the help of Aims Peace Village Organization (APVO), I learned many skills and received many certificates. I gave seminars on nonviolent communication and seminars about peace. I was honored as a Young Ambassador for Peace from the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). Now I have more work to do and more responsibilities. Through APVO, I work and give seminars to secondary school and university students to spread the idea of peace and help participants to use the message of peace to improve their homes and communities. Each of us has a key role to play in ensuring that we leave a better world for posterity.

Recently I attended the 10th Global Youth Peace Fest-GYPF 2015 in Chandigarh, India where delegates came from different backgrounds and different countries, mostly south Asian countries, U.S., Russia, Africa, and Malaysia. As a delegate from Afghanistan, it was very exciting for me to meet and share ideas with different

mother whether I was Shia or Sunni. My mother told me that I am neither Shia nor Sunni. I am a Human.” Yes, we are all human. Let’s work and walk for humanism and world peace.

One important GYPF program was the 2nd meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Punjab Engineering College. The delegates of South Asian countries discussed the situation of terrorism in the South Asian countries and ways that we can work together to make our countries more secure. After eight hours of discussions in the SAARC meeting, we were invited to PTC News Channel to Talk about Terrorism and the Peace Fest which took place in Chandigarh, India. After all these programs we made a forum by the name of ‘Young Global Peace Forum’ in order to work together for global peace. Finally, all the delegates were awarded a certificate with Gandhi’s picture by Paramos Sharma, director of Yuvsatta organization which work fsor peace and was the main organizer of GYPF Chandigarh, India, 2015.

Starian attends Global Youth Peace Festival in India

About the author: Emran Poya graduated from Star in 2011. He recently passed the Teachers’ Training course and became a teacher at Star. He is in his last semester at Kabul University majoring in computer science. In addition, he is an English teacher at Marefat School.

Page 7October 24th, 2015

I t was the wedding of Aatay Rasheed’s daughter. The party was ready, and on horse-back and on foot, the villagers set off

for Thayna Jaar – soon to be the bride’s home.As we set off, the groom’s party sought Aatay Rasheed’s permission to play some music and dance in celebration. He gave a hesitant nod. No sooner had the music started, that these bearded few people began screaming. They were the mullahs, and they pushed their way to the front. They were fuming with anger that someone had dared play music.

“It’s HARAM!” they declared.One of the mullahs, my Iran-based nephew

Baseer, picked up the cassette player over his head and threatened to smash it to the ground if any more music was played. He frothed:

“Music invites the devil. Prayers bring blessings.”The villagers and the procession began

chanting prayers and salawat. There was no more music, no more laughter, just a loud chorus of

salawat. It felt like a funeral procession.

Once the procession had reached the outer limits of the village, your father, still young, walked to the front. He held his arms up, jacket in the one hand, and began dancing. The children clapped, some of the men joined in. The women beat the drums. There was music, and the procession danced and laughed all the way to Thayna Jaar. Fearing backlash from your father and the youth, the mullahs could do nothing but watch in anger and despair.

It was a good day. But once that was over, they stopped inviting us to the weddings. My nephew Mohammad Hussain got married. They didn’t invite us. Your auntie got married. They didn’t invite us. They didn’t like your father’s dance.

*Haram = Arabic for sinful; forbidden on religious grounds*Salawat = Prayers wishing peace upon the prophet and his family.

I would I were a careless child,Still dwelling in my Highland cave,Or roaming through the dusky wild,Or bounding o’er the dark blue wave;The cumbrous pomp of Saxon prideAccords not with the freeborn soul,Which loves the mountain’s craggy side,And seeks the rocks where billows roll.

Fortune! Take back these cultured lands,Take back this name of splendid sound!I hate the touch of servile hands,I hate the slaves that cringe around.Place me among the rocks I love,Which sound to Ocean’s wildest roar;I ask but this – again to roveThrough scenes my youth hath known before.Few are my years, and yet I feelThe world was ne’er designed for me:Ah! why do dark’ning shades concealThe hour when man must cease to be?Once I beheld a splendid dream,A visionary scene of bliss:Truth! – Wherefore did thy hated beamawake me to a world like this?

I loves – but those I love are gone;Had friends – my early friends are fled:How cheerless feels the heart alone,When all its former hopes are dead!Though gay companions o’er the bowl

Dispel awhile the sense of ill’Though pleasure stirs the maddening soul,The heart – the heart – is lonely still.

How dull! to hear the voice of thoseWhom rank or chance, whom wealth or power,Have made, though neither friends nor foes,Associates of the festive hour.Give me again a faithful few,In years and feelings still the same,And I will fly the midnight crew,Where boist’rous joy is but a name.

And woman, lovely woman! Thou,My hope, my comforter, my all!How cold must be my bosom now, When e’en thy smiles begin to pall!Without a sigh would I resignThis busy scene of splendid woe, To make that calm contentment mine, Which virtue know, or seems to know.

Fain would I fly the haunts of men –I seek to shun, not hate mankind;My breast requires the sullen glen,Whose gloom may suit a darken’d mind.Oh! That to me the wings were givenWhich bear the turtle to her nest!Then would I cleave the vault of heaven,To flee away, and be at rest.

Byron was the ideal of the Romantic poet, gaining notoriety for his scandalous private life and being described by one contemporary as 'mad, bad and dangerous to know'.George Gordon Noel, sixth Baron Byron, was born on 22 January 1788 in London. His father died when he was three, with the result that he inherited his title from his great uncle in 1798.Byron spent his early years in Aberdeen, and was educated

at Harrow School and Cambridge University. In 1809, he left for a two-year tour of a number of Mediterranean countries. He returned to England in 1811, and in 1812 the first two cantos of 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' were published. Byron became famous overnight.In 1814, Byron's half-sister Augusta gave birth to a daughter, almost certainly Byron's. The following year Byron married Annabella Milbanke, with whom he had a daughter, his only legitimate child. The couple separated in 1816.Facing mounting pressure as a result of his failed marriage, scandalous affairs and huge debts, Byron left England in April 1816 and never returned. He spent the summer of 1816 at Lake Geneva with Percy Bysshe Shelley, his wife Mary and Mary's half-sister Claire Clairmont, with whom Byron had a daughter. Byron travelled on to Italy, where he was to live for more than six years. In 1819, while staying in Venice, he began an affair with Teresa Guiccioli, the wife of an Italian nobleman. It was in this period that Byron wrote some of his most famous works, including 'Don Juan' (1819-1824).In July 1823, Byron left Italy to join the Greek insurgents who were fighting a war of independence against the Ottoman Empire. On 19 April 1824 he died from fever at Missolonghi, in modern day Greece. His death was mourned throughout Britain. His body was brought back to England and buried at his ancestral home in Nottinghamshire.

StoriesMy Grandmother

Told Me

20

Vol.1, No. 12LiteraryAbout the author:

Hadi Zaher was the first graduate of Star Educational Society in the year 1999. He is the nephew of the founder of Star in Quetta, Mr. Nabi Atiq. Hadi was both first position holder and also one of the first Star graduates who, together with Mr. Hussain Yousofi, was selected as a language teacher. Hadi Zaher has an MA from the University of Wollongong in Australia and is currently a post-graduate student at the University of New South Wales. He is the president of Zaheristan, a virtual world of professional photography that he describes in these words: “A land of good people, a free people. A land where flowers bloom in streets, rubab music plays in the samovar tea houses, and kites fly in the skies.”

By Lord Byron

Lord ByronJanuary 22, 1788 - April 19, 1824

I would I were a careless child,

Saturday, October 24, 2015 Vol. 1, No. 12Interview

Editor-in-Chief: Ali Reza Yasa, ChairmanEditor: Ali Reza YasaDesigner: Musa Autbin

Phone: +93-202504515 +93-788516668Email: interstellarbulletin@gmail.com Website: http://www.star.edu.af

About the interviewer: Farid Shefayi recently joined Star Educational Society as a teacher. He studies Political Science and International Relations at Ibne-Sina University. He has worked as an English teacher and private tutor in the past and aspires to be a successful diplomat in the future.

Azizullah Royesh founded Marefat High School for Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 1994 to combat the existing culture of violence, misogyny and extremism and lift disadvantaged populations through civic education. In 2002, the school moved to Afghanistan where it teaches more than 4000 Afghan students now, about half of whom are girls. Royesh is a former Yale World Fellow, former National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Reagan-Fascell fellow and was one of 10 finalists for the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize. He is a frequent speaker on the concept of a tolerant community. Royesh and his colleagues established the Marefat Civil Capacity Building Organization (MCCBO), which is working to strengthen and expand democracy and civil norms of life.

stan is a profession of challenges. Pov-erty, insecurity, corruption, and most of all, old vision behind the system of edu-cation is posing myriads of challenges for a teacher.

Is this how you became a candidate of the Best Teacher in the world? I think my career to face and counter the challenges of a traditional war-stricken community was one of the main factors which helped me all the way towards the position of Top 10 in the Global Teach-er Prize. I participated in the competi-tion with a vision and achievement that could easily transform the vision and mindset of the community.

How was the reaction of Afghans when you were selected as one of the Top 10 teachers in the world? Afghan political authorities reacted with a heavy silence. None of the individuals or of-ficials in the authority expressed a single word to show their support and encour-agement to the achievement. But, public support, especially when I could reach the position of Top 10 in the compe-tition, was highly encouraging and in-spiring. It was just great and wonderful to see the lively environment created around the achievement.

How do you evaluate the education system in Afghanistan? The education system in Afghanistan is not more than

Why did you choose to be a teacher? This was not my choice. I was 16 years old and had just returned from exile to my village in Jeghatoo District of Ghazni province. I was one of the few individu-als who could read and write or could claim to be educated. I started teaching my brothers and sister and a number of other kids from the neighboring villages. Later, I was introduced to the local au-thorities who were Jihadi commanders. They invited me to help them estab-lish the first modern primary school in Quiagh, a valley around 25 kilometers away from the center of Ghazni. That was the first step for me to get the title of "Teacher." In the next three years, I travelled to Pakistan and brought sup-plies for five schools which provided pri-mary education to more than 3000 kids, all of them boys, in the district. After the establishment of Marefat High School, my career as a teacher became part of my personal identity and that is why I am called "Teacher."

What is the most fascinating memory from your years of being a teacher? The most fascinating memory for me is the smiles on the lips and faces of the kids who are looking to their future with great hope and optimism.

What are the most dominant chal-lenges you faced during the years of being a teacher? Teaching in Afghani-

a mess. We are spending a huge budget on education of our kids, but the result at the end of the day is just hundreds of thousands of youth with hostility, a bitter sense of nihilism and frustration. There is a single way to improve it: to change our old vision and look at the system of education as a tool to help our young generation to understand and embrace the modern world and its exi-gencies. We cannot imprison our young generation in the circles of our tradi-tional, fanatical mindset and wish them to counter the challenges of the contem-porary world.

You have recently been a candidate for the Human Rights Tulips prize, please give us more information about it? Human Rights Tulips award goes to one of the most successful figures or in-stitutions who have shown an extraordi-nary achievement in strengthening the basis of Human Rights in their respec-tive communities. This award started from 2008. I am one of the candidates for this year's competition. What are your plans if you win the Human Rights Tulips prize? Winning the prize will enable me to work more on my vision about Human Rights and its consistency with the culture and exi-gencies of the community. I will donate the entire prize to Marefat which will be used for its infrastructure and enrich-ments.

Why is it so important to win this prize? It is important both in terms of its credibility for Afghan civil society as well as for Marefat High School and our Human Rights' vision on the basis of its education system. Besides, it will help us share our inspiring message with our au-dience throughout the world.

What is your perspective for

Afghanistan`s educational system in the future? Given the negative impacts of our past anti-democratic political his-tory, the changes in the vision and mind-set of the community at large are highly encouraging. I think we will manage to bring about a fundamental change in the culture and mindset of the community. This has already happened and there are great signs showing the further positive changes in the future which will not be too far. There are attempts in the Minis-try of Education to bring changes in the system of education, the curriculum, the textbooks, and especially the way they look at the requirements of the modern system of education.

What makes you a successful person or teacher? My methodology of conducting my role as a teacher is something differ-ent. I regard my students as my partners for a mutual cause. I am flexible, not strict and rigid. I regard education and teaching as showering water. It puts its impacts gradually and the recipients, i.e. the students, get them gradually. So, there is not a rush. There is only steps to be taken forward.

You know Star Educational Society since its establishment, what is your opinion about this center and how do consider it generally? Star has been a "STAR", indeed. It has changed the lives of thousands and thousands via the English language. English language is not simply a language or means of communi-cation. It is a window to another world OR to the entire world. STAR has helped the New Generation of the community to explore this world.

What is your last sentence for this in-terview? We are together working for a better environment; an environment of wisdom, knowledge, beauty and prosper-ity. Let's take our role more serious.

Changing the vision and mindset

of a communityAn interview with Mr. Aziz Royesh, teacher, advocate for equal access to education and

social activist