On the western outskirts of Kabul, a beaten-up metal gate divides the neighbourhood’s unpaved main road from a small graveyard.
Each morning at sunrise, Wahida Shirzad, 38, comes here, often accompanied by relatives. She brings with her a bottle of water tucked under her arm to sprinkle over the raised dry soil, and has a screenshot of a prayer on her phone.
Each morning, she recites the words through tears with her hands either raised towards the sky or touching the raw earth.
“No matter what happens in Afghanistan – whether there is war or peace – no one will be able to bring back my son,” she said, her voice frail.
Ms Shirzad is one of millions of Afghans left behind after their loved ones were killed in the violence that has gripped the country for decades.
The faces of these victims are shared online and in the media. But the pain of their families continues to burn long after the headlines and news stories fade away.
Ms Shirzad's son, Mohammad Rahid Amin, was killed with 21 others when terrorists stormed Kabul University and opened fire on students and teachers on November 2, 2020. He had been studying public administration and policy.
An activist who never gave up hope for a brighter future for Afghans, he taught English at the same time as working to support his single mother, who divorced her husband a long time ago.
Opening a library for students unable to afford the books they needed was one of his life ambitions, one that his mother realised only after his death.
Sitting at her desk in the library in central Kabul, in front of shelves full of books, she said: “I struggled to accept his death for a long time.”
Ms Shirzad said she spent the night after the attack at home with her son's body, unable to comprehend what had happened.
At one point she became convinced that he was breathing again and, unable to give up hope that he might be alive , convinced her relatives to take her to hospital with him.
She recalled a kind doctor inspecting her son’s body carefully, taking his time before addressing her. “Dear mother, accept that he has passed,” he told her.
At least 8,800 civilians were killed or injured in conflict in Afghanistan last year, according to the UN.
A sharp increase in the number of attacks on government employees, activists and the news media sent waves of fear through a nation in mourning.
Most of the families of the victims are left to cope alone.
"There is no real support structure for people who are left behind, especially in terms of psychosocial support," said Shaharzad Akbar, chairwoman of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
“Investigations are often slow, if they happen at all. This means that people are left without access to justice, without mental health support,” she said.
Narges Gul, 12, developed her own coping mechanism after her mother Soraya was murdered when ISIS militants attacked a Kabul maternity clinic last year.
Soraya had just given birth, like many of the women among the 24 people killed in the attack on May 12, 2020. Other victims included a midwife, children and babies.
“I started writing poetry after my mum’s death,” she said, sitting on the floor in her house. “I write when feelings overcome me.”
In nearly a year of trying to come to terms with her mother’s death, Narges has almost filled a red notebook with unanswered questions and poetry about grief.
Her father, Agha Gul, still in shock after the attack, brought home Soraya’s body to show it to the family’s children.
“Why did you darken our home? Why did you abandon us?”, Narges wrote in one poem, the lines in the original Farsi forming rhyme and melody. “You are the hope of my life; you are the light of my life … You are gone. I am waiting for you while I write this with tears of blood.”
Narges, sitting with her father and siblings – including her youngest sister Zahra, born shortly before the attack – remained quiet after the last words echoed through the sun-flooded room. Outside, cars passed by, people chatted loudly, but the family barely noticed.
Almost a year on, the pain is still raw.
Mr Gul, 36, breathes heavily, tears in his eyes. He loved Soraya fiercely.
Their match had not been arranged as is so common in Afghanistan; they chose each other.
An ambitious mother who kept a full-time job in the country’s defence ministry, Soraya helped support her family financially.
Mr Gul said he had now dedicated his life to their children's futures, as his wife had done. He said he had no intention of remarrying.
“Wherever I go, her image keeps coming up in my mind,” he said, recalling her shiny black hair.
“Soraya was all I ever wanted and needed.”
Rafiullah Sharifi, 35, whose wife was also among the victims of the assault on the maternity clinic, said he had similarly dedicated his life to his daughter Amina, who was shot in the leg several times during the attack.
Amina was born hours before the gunmen stormed the clinic.
"I begged the doctors not to amputate," he said. After several operations, Amina has begun to recover from her injuries. Her leg is now strapped into a brace and she has one more operation to endure.
Now almost a year old, Amina is lively and seemingly content, although she smiles little.
She is sometimes haunted by moments of panic, Mr Sharifi said, as if chased by the trauma she experienced so early in her life.
“She starts screaming when she sees someone in a white coat. Of course the doctors want the best for her, but she’s suffered so much.”
The father of three, who works as a police officer, said he does not see a future for his family in Afghanistan.
“I used to come home full of happiness and anticipation,” he said. “Now, life is heavy and filled with sorrow.”
Thousands of Afghans gathered in a Kabul football stadium last week, to protest against attacks like those on the university and hospital.
The demonstrators called for an end to the recent escalation of violence and showed their support for the upcoming UN-led peace conference in Turkey.
With attacks continuing in towns and cities around the country, peace has never been needed more desperately.
While the families The National spoke to do not know each other, their lives are intertwined by a shared suffering known to many in Afghanistan.
“The majority of us – and I include myself in this as I have also lost friends in this conflict – have a really difficult time coping,” said Ms Akbar of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
“Healing is difficult. Every time a new incident happens, it reminds us of the time we lost our loved ones. We are reliving the trauma because the bloodshed continues.”
Reflecting on four decades of conflict in Afghanistan, Ms Akbar drew a long, deep breath, followed only by silence.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019
Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)
Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)
Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)
Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL
Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)
Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup
Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar
Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar
Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)
Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Naga
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
WITHIN%20SAND
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POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
RIDE%20ON
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