Kabul residents riding a bicycle celebrate as Northern Alliance fighters enter the Afghan capital in November 2001 after the collapse of Taliban rule.
Kabul residents riding a bicycle celebrate as Northern Alliance fighters enter the Afghan capital in November 2001 after the collapse of Taliban rule.
Fighters from the Afghan opposition Northern Alliance celebrate the withdrawal of the Taliban in November 2001.
Fighters from the Afghan opposition Northern Alliance celebrate the withdrawal of the Taliban in November 2001.
Northern Alliance fighters sing patriotic songs as they enter the capital Kabul in November 2001.
Northern Alliance fighters sing patriotic songs as they enter the capital Kabul in November 2001.
A French soldier, part of the International Security and Assistance Force, stands on a boulder overlooking Kabul during a patrol in August 2002.
A French soldier, part of the International Security and Assistance Force, stands on a boulder overlooking Kabul during a patrol in August 2002.
Joe Biden, a US senator at the time, meets a female student at Ariana High school in January 2002, during a visit to Kabul.
Joe Biden, a US senator at the time, meets a female student at Ariana High school in January 2002, during a visit to Kabul.
A member of the Taliban stands guard as people walk to the entrance gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Sunday.
A member of the Taliban stands guard as people walk to the entrance gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Sunday.
Taliban fighters take control of the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday.
Taliban fighters take control of the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday.
A crowd of Afghans on the tarmac of Kabul's airport as they try to flee the country in August.
A crowd of Afghans on the tarmac of Kabul's airport as they try to flee the country in August.
Taliban fighters ride on a truck through Kabul on Sunday.
Taliban fighters ride on a truck through Kabul on Sunday.
Members of the Taliban stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport as people try to flee the country.
Members of the Taliban stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport as people try to flee the country.

UAE

Afghan in UAE whose brother was killed by Taliban left horrified by their return to power

Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed, who lives in Abu Dhabi, says the militants will undo the progress Afghanistan has made in the past 20 years

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

August 16, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest updates on Afghanistan here

An Afghan whose brother was killed by the Taliban has said he watched in horror as the militants stormed through his home country and captured the capital.

Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed’s brother Fazil was shot dead by the Taliban in 2012 in the family's home town of Khost.

Fazil became a target because he worked as a driver for the UN Office for Project Services, which organised and oversaw impartial elections across Afghanistan.

The south-eastern city of Khost had been a hotbed of insurgency, even a decade after the US invasion in 2001.

Mr Saeed's mother, one of his brothers and his youngest sister fled to Peshawar in Pakistan.

Two of his sisters live with their husbands in Afghanistan, while his father lives with him in the UAE.

They killed my brother for working with the United Nations as a driver. He was sitting with my uncle in his shop and they came and shot him. They are ruthless
Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed

Mr Saeed, who has worked as a salesman in Abu Dhabi since 2008, said the insurgents were monsters and that "everyone is scared and worried".

“They killed my brother for working with the United Nations as a driver. He was sitting with my uncle in his shop and they came and shot him. They are ruthless," he said.

Mr Saeed worked as an English teacher in Khost between 2006 and 2008.

The Taliban were toppled in 2001, but the group retained an influence in Khost and he was told he should not teach children foreign languages.

A school in his district was shot at by Taliban fighters and he eventually accepted the pleas of his father to flee the country for the safety of the Emirates.

But long after Mr Saeed left Afghanistan, he received messages from fighters in the country.

Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed's brother Fazil was shot dead by the Taliban in 2012. Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed
Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed's brother Fazil was shot dead by the Taliban in 2012. Ibrahim Mohammad Saeed

He was even sent threats after sharing a video on social media that showed Pope Francis during his visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019 – an important moment for interfaith relations and tolerance.

“I haven’t been to my country in years because they have threatened me to kill me," Mr Saeed said.

"I was receiving calls from them because I shared a video of Pope Francis’ speech. They were angry because they think I was promoting another religion, but the message was more about tolerance and being accepting of others.”

When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, they imposed restrictions on women leaving their homes, banned music and dancing, ordered men to grow beards and denied girls access to education.

The insurgents have seized power once more after a nationwide offensive, but have said citizens “should not worry” and that girls would be able to go to school this time.

But Afghans and human rights groups are not convinced.

“They are not trustworthy. We can already see them painting over posters with faces, telling women to stay at home. No one is safe around them,” Mr Saeed said.

“Our country has made a lot of progress in the past two decades and now we would start going in the opposite direction because of the Taliban.”

Latest as Taliban take Kabul - in pictures

Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time

Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.

Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.

The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.

The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.

Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.

The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.

• Bloomberg

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Updated: August 16, 2021, 10:14 AM`
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