Shukria Barakzai, a former Afghan diplomat and politician, has made controversial remarks saying that she does not consider Ahmad Shah Masoud a national hero of Afghanistan and sees no difference between him and Mullah Mohammad Omar, the former leader of the Taliban.
In an interview, excerpts of which have been reshared on social media, Barakzai said: “I do not see any difference between Ahmad Shah Masoud and Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban leader. Both of them share responsibility for the destruction of Afghanistan.”
She also said that Ahmad Shah Masoud is not the national hero she recognizes, adding that her favorite national hero is Ghazi Amanullah Khan.
These remarks come as Ahmad Shah Masoud was officially recognized as a “National Hero” by Afghanistan’s previous government and holds a symbolic position among a segment of Afghan society, particularly supporters of the anti-Taliban resistance front. On the other hand, critics of Masoud and other jihadist leaders hold them responsible for the civil wars and the destruction of Kabul during the 1990s.
Barakzai’s remarks have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some users describing them as a direct criticism of the official narrative surrounding Ahmad Shah Masoud’s status.
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