Let Freedom Reign

"The first step toward being free is to choose to be."

    -Warren Berland, Ph.D., author

In December I wrote about the Afghans' search for democracy, and expressed concern about their ability to overcome their differences and come up with a constitution. I had doubts that Afghan women would be allowed to play significant roles in the constitutional process, and at the time, I felt the assembly might never finish its work.  I was wrong.

The Washington Post just reported that the constitutional loya jirga succeeded, and that Afghans had established the basis for democratic institutions and national elections in 2004. The 500 elected delegates "defied the enemies of Afghanistan's progress and overcame their past" by relying on words, not guns, to do their work. The "messy democratic process of debating, listening and compromising" was used to resolve every sticky issue, including the part women would play in the new government.

Speaking of the ladies, there were 102 of them, which tells me that the Taliban-imposed suppression of women had little support among the populace. In the assembly, they assumed leadership roles, and were courageous in their participation.

While Islam has been embraced as the state religion, provisions have been made for broad religious freedom, allowing those of other faiths to openly practice their religions with no fear of reprisal. This is a milestone!  

Challenges lie ahead. The constitution has to be implemented, extremists defeated, and militias disarmed. The country is poor and its people need economic opportunity. This will take years, but they are off to a good start. I believe they are committed to the process. I hope, with the help of the U.N. and our coalition, that they succeed.