Life and Legacy of Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim
(1957-2014)
Early Life and Education
Mohammad Qasim Fahim was born in 1957 in a religious family. His father, Mawlavi Abdul Matin, was a respected religious figure in the Panjshir Valley. Abdul Matin studied at a theological college in India. His studies coincided with the rise of the Muslim-Hindu conflict in India. While Muslims in India were becoming more vocal in their calls for a separate state of their own, Abdul Matin believed Muslims ought to remain a part of and seek to realize their ambitions in a united India. After graduating from India’s Deoband Madrassa, Abdul Matin returned to Afghanistan temporarily practiced teaching religion in various cities in the north of Afghanistan. He later turned to business.
In the aftermath of the communist coup of April 1978, Abdul Matin was one of the first influential figures of the Panjshir Valley who voiced support for the Mujahidin’s cause. In particular, he threw his full backing behind the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, actively encouraged other elders to follow Massoud’s path. He was highly respected among the people of the Panjshir Valley.
Marshal Fahim completed primary education in the Omarz of Panjshir studied religion in Charikar, Parwan province. He received admissions to the Arabic Darul-Uloom College (religious studies) in Kabul in 1971. During his time at the Darul-Uloom College, the late Fahim began participating in the Muslim Youth Movement. He actively took part in the organization of critical meetings and demonstrations of the Movement alongside prominent leaders, e.g., the late Engineer Habib Rahman. His participation in the Movement played a significant role in the formation of his political and social views.
“Mohammad Qasim Fahim and I began studying in the religious school. We studied under the guidance of the late professor Mohammad Shafi, who worked as the imam of the Andarabi mosque as well taught in the university and our school. With him, we began studying the religious book A Thousand and One Reasons. At that time, we joined anti-government student protests led by the likes of Hekmatyar, Rabbani, Sayaf, Rahim Niazi, and others.” (Mohammad Amin Khan, Former Mujahideen – Nangarhar, Former Classmate)
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
In the wake of the communist coup of 1978, regime threats against Youth Movement activists escalated; Fahim and some of his classmates and friends traveled to Pakistan through the Kabul-Kandahar route. It was in Pakistan where Marshal Fahim met for the first time with Ahmad Shah Massoud. After a brief stay in Pakistan, Fahim returned to Afghanistan actively took part in the armed resistance against the regime in the Shigal District of Kunar province.
“During Jihad times, Kunar province was known as the “Bab al-Jihad,” the Gate of Jihad. Several prominent Jihadi leaders of Afghanistan began their activities from Kunar. The late brother Marshal Fahim was one of those Mujahideen who came to Kunar in 1978. Marshal Fahim spent 3-4 months in the Shigal Valley of Kunar, which at the time served as a training ground for Mujahideen. Most surrounding areas like Shigal and Asmar district centers were under the control of the regime. After spending a few months in Shigal Valley. When Mujahideen activities expanded, the late Marshal joined the Mujahideen in his home valley of Panjshir.” (Shuja al Mulk Jalala, Former Mujahideen, Kunar, Former Governor of Kunar)
In the summer of the same year, Fahim moved to the Panjsher Valley, along with the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, played a crucial role in forming the first resistance cells of the Mujahidin in the Panjshir Valley and later on in other parts of the country. In those early days, Fahim worked in establishing Mujahidin cells in the upper parts of the Panjshir Valley, Abe-tel, Areb, Paryan areas.
“The late Marshal joined Ahmad Shah Massoud after returning from Pakistan. I met him on the 3rd day after I joined the Panjsher front. When I first met him, I found him a courageous young man. He carried a gun. People gravitated to and gathered around him. He was with Commander Massoud. That was around the time when people of Nuristan joined the Mujahideen of Panjsher, and a new war broke out.” (Lieutenant General Gulhaidar Khan, Former Mujahideen Commander – Panjsher)
During the first years of Jihad against the Soviets (i.e., 1979-1982), Fahim worked actively in northern parts of Kabul, Kapisa, and Parwan provinces. Specifically worked in Tagab, Nejrab, Salang, Sayyed Khel, and Kohdaman areas organizing Mujahidin groups and playing an essential role in resolving inter-group disputes between Hizb Islami and Jamiat Islami affiliates.
“Around the second year of Jihad, Mujahideen were in the Nejrab Valley. The regime and the Soviets controlled the district center at the time. We faced some disputes with the Hizb Islami (Hekmatyar). To resolve our disputes, Commander Massoud sent Fahim. He was pretty young and had to travel on foot for very long hours to reach us. His goal was to resolve intra-Mujahideen disputes, so we didn’t lose focus. The Hizb Islami commander in the area was Qazi Jamil, who happened to be Fahim’s classmate from college. He had us both talk. We reached an agreement regarding our disputes.” (Abdul Hadi Khan, Former Mujahideen Commander – Kapisa)
In 1982, under instructions from Ahmad Shah Massoud, Fahim headed a high-level Mujahidin delegation, a first of its kind, to Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, and Kunduz provinces. The group aimed to work on effectively unifying, regrouping, and mobilizing Mujahidin units in those regions. Those efforts were instrumental in the expansion of Mujahidin activities and establishing several new bases in the north of the country.
“Commander Massoud had tasked Fahim to organize Mujahideen activities in the north. Takhar served as the base for his efforts. He would travel from there to Kunduz, Baghlan, Sarepul, Faryab provinces to organize Mujahidin there. He also worked on resolving disputes among different Mujahidin groups. He was always successful in his attempts in organizing and regrouping Mujahidin units.” (Sayed Ekramuddin Masoumi, Former Mujahideen Commander – Takhar, Former Member of Parliament)
Role in Supervisory Council of Jamiat Party (Shuraye Nizar)
Expanded military activities and establishing new Mujahidin bases in the north necessitated a new formation to lead Mujahidin missions with greater effectiveness. Consequently, a new organization under the name of Shuraye Nizar (Supervisory Council) was established. Fahim played a crucial role in forming the Council. The Council held its first meeting in the Khavak area of Panjshir, where Ahmad Shah Massoud was chosen as the leader and Fahim as the Council’s deputy. The name (Shuraye Nizar) was proposed by Fahim in the first meeting and was unanimously adopted by the Council.
“Shuraye Nizar held its first meeting in Khavak valley of Panjshir. The National Hero of Afghanistan, the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, chaired the meeting. The name of Shuraye Nizar was proposed by the late Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim. The members unanimously accepted his recommendation. Fahim served as the deputy of Shuraye Nizar. The second meeting of Shuraye Nizar was held in Shast Dara of Khelab valley after the Soviet-Mujahidin ceasefire agreement of 1983 was broken. In that meeting, the late Dr. Abdurrahman was also appointed as a deputy, and I was appointed as the head of the secretariat of Shuraye Nizar.” (Dr. Mohaydin Mahdi, Former Mujahideen – Baghlan, Former Member of Parliament)
“We were faced with a strong enemy in the form of the Soviets in Afghanistan. It was realized by the leaders that we needed to establish coordination between various forces fighting the Soviets. That was an important need of the time. In that regard, the pioneer of this notion was the Panjshir front, which was led by brother Ahmad Shah Massoud who is currently the Shuraye Nizar leader. By establishing the Shura, our joint efforts paid off, as we realized our vision of freedom. After a while, it became clear that only coordination and unity among the Muhideen, especially those Mujahideen groups active inside the country, was the answer to the realization of our vision. The need for unity, discipline and coordination among Mujahideen groups was realized as a prerequisite for the expansion of resistance and preparation of Mujahidden for victory.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage, 1988, Takhar)
Jihad in Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa
With changes in the state of war against the Soviets, in 1984, Fahim was once again tasked with organizing Mujahideen groups min the north of Kabul, in Parwan and Kapisa. He was able to create effective coordination among the Mujahideen of those areas.
“The late Marshal worked in the military committee was a broad-minded person. We were situated around the confluence of Panjsher and Gulbahar valleys. Commander Massoud deployed him to lead us. He exhibited exceptional capabilities in dealing with different tribes and had a national view. He worked with tribal heads from Ghorband, Salang, and Kapisa areas as the fight against the Soviets was taking place. He was effective in bringing different groups together.” (Habib Afghan, Former Mujahidin Commander – Kapisa, Member of Parliament)
“Afghan history is a witness that the late Marshal Fahim was a prominent figure in the Jihad and the resistance. He was a wise leader. He was a leader for the difficult days who was effective in leading Mujahidin and boosting morale when things didn’t look well.” (Lieutenant General Fazluddin Khan Ayar, Former Mujahidin Commander – Parwan, Governor of Parwan)
Following the formation of Shuraye Nizar, between the years 1985 and 1990, Fahim was given the mandate to expand Mujahidin fronts in different parts of the country, particularly in the north. His efforts to unite Mujahidin forces intensified in the later years of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Fahim focused on developing an active network of influential security members of the communist regime around Kabul, who worked with the Mujahidin due to patriotism and Jihadi inclinations.
In 1989, Fahim led a high-level Mujahidin delegation to Balkh, Jowzjan, Sar-e-Pul, and Faryab provinces. The group aimed to ensure coordination and unity among various groups of the Mujahidin. That mission lasted for about six months. As a result, the delegation succeeded in putting an end to most intergroup and intragroup differences among the various Mujahidin groups in those provinces. Consequently, northern fronts became more effective in fighting the Soviets.
“In regards to my various trips to the northern region, I acted as the political representative of Shuraye Nizar for the Mujahideen in the northern regions. During those travels, I visited Samangan, Mazar e Sharif, Jowzjan, and Faryab provinces. Encountered a great sense of enthusiasm among the Mujahideen of those provinces for the activities and plans of Shuraye Nizar. Mujahideen and the general public’s enthusiasm and support for the Mujahideen was unbelievable.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage, 1988, Takhar)
“Mujahidin of Jowzjan and Sarepul didn’t have direct relations with each other; the late Marshal sent envoys and written invitations to commanders, asked them to gather in Sancharak district, some of the commanders attended the gathering personally, others sent their representative, a big meeting took place in Sancharak which was attended by the Mujahidin of Jowzjan and Sarepul. The late Marshal appointed the provincial chief and the chief commander of the Mujahidin.
After having done that, he tried to coordinate with the commanders of Hizb Islami (Hekmatyar) and other smaller groups. Once he had met and organized Mujahidin groups in Sarepul and Jowzjan, he informed us of his plan to visit the Mujahidin of Faryab province. We were concerned about his trip to Faryab because the trip had to take place through territory controlled by our opponents. We were concerned that our opponents didn’t even spare an ordinary Mujahid unharmed how precarious would it be for the late Marshal as deputy of Shuraye Nizar and his companions to cross such a territory. \
We had to put a lot of effort into persuading the late Marshal to postpone his trip and make the trip when things had calmed down. As a result of his stay with us, we learned many things from the late Marshal. The first thing we learned from him was discipline; he took discipline and organization among the Mujahidin seriously; the other thing we learned from him was that even during Jihad, he valued education.” (Qazi Mohammad Yasin, Former Mujahidin Provincial Chief – Sar-e-pul)
In 1990, Fahim made a highly risky trip to Kayan Valley in Baghlan and Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh. He traveled to those places through the Salang Valley, which was controlled by the regime forces. His task was to end differences among the Mujahidin of those areas. He also held critical negotiations with and garnered the support of regime members who exhibited patriotic and Jihadi inclinations.
The late Marshal arrived with Dr. Mushahid and Engineer Ahmad Shah. They went to Kayan Valley with us. I headed a military unit in Mazar Sharif, known as Camp Volga. One night the late Marshal and his delegation arrived there through Tashqurghan. Our friendship started then. They carried messages of Commander Massoud. As a result of those meetings and efforts. The Mujahidin were able to reach victory.” (General Sayed Hassumudin, Former Mujahidin – Kayan Valley)
In the wake of strengthened cooperation among various Mujahidin groups and confirmed backing of leading regime elements in the country’s north, Fahim was instructed by Ahmad Shah Massoud to focus his efforts in and around the city of Kabul. Those efforts proved instrumental in weakening the regime’s defenses in the north, leading to Kabul’s communist government’s eventual collapse. Following the fall of the communist regime in Kabul, on April 5th, 1992, Fahim led the victorious Mujahidin forces to the capital.
At that critical time, to implement the task given by the late commander Massoud the late Marshal risked his life but was effective in delivering on the mission given to him. For that, he will have a place in the history of Afghanistan. (General Mohammad Ayub Salangi, Former Mujahidin Commander – Parwan, Former Senior Deputy Minister of Interior)
Soon after establishing the Mujahidin government, Fahim was appointed by the late President Burhanuddin Rabbani as the Minister of Intelligence. Besides leading that ministry, under the overall command of Ahmad Shah Massoud, Fahim led government forces defending Kabul. Played a critically important role in thwarting the 1992 coup against the Mujahidin government
“When the late Ustad (Rabbani) was President the late Marshal Fahim’s role in defending Kabul city, against the enemies of the state, against rebels, against terrorists was prominent. He commanded the Mujahidin daily.” (Abdurrab Rasoul Sayaf, Former Mujahidin Leader)
As the Mujahidin government began retreating from Kabul, Fahim sent several emissaries to the late Dr. Najibullah, who resided in a UN guesthouse, requesting him to leave the city for the Panjshir Valley, but Dr. Najibullah rejected those requests.
“The late Ahmad Shah Massoud called the late Marshal Fahim through radio and asked him on the result of his earlier order. The late Marshal Fahim replied: that the concerned person rejected accompanying us. Massoud asked why? Fahim replied: that he (Dr. Najibullah) seemed sure that the Taliban wouldn’t harm him. Apparently, the UN had given him assurances that he should not be concerned with the Taliban’s takeover. For that reason, despite our pleas and assurances that he would be free to go to any place of his choosing. He disagreed.
Massoud replied: Fine. It is good that you did that. Our responsibility is over. Dr. Mahdi: We understood from the conversation between (Massoud & Fahim) that Massoud had tasked Fahim – who was in touch Dr. Najibullah (who stayed at the UN Guesthouse during the 5 years of Mujahidin government), to request him to accompany the Mujahidin force as they were leaving the city.” (Dr. Mohaydin Mahdi, Former Mujahideen – Baghlan, Former Member of Parliament)
After the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 1996, Fahim briefly commanded the Mujahidin forces in the north of Kabul. In particular, he played an integral role in defeating two major Taliban offensives on the Panjshir Valley.
“The late Marshal was brave and courageous. He defended the starting point of the valley with only a few of his bodyguards. Everyone was trying to enter the valley—civilians, military personnel, etc. The late Marshal established a defensive line in the entrance of the valley. While most others entered the valley and passed by, the late Marshal took charge and defended. When I first arrived on the scene, I found the Late Marshal working to create a safe passage to help people enter the valley safely from Gulbahar.” (General Qadamshah Shahim, Former Mujahidin Commander – Badakhshan, Former Chief of Army Staff, Afghan National Army)
He was later made responsible by the late Massoud for regrouping and remobilizing Mujahidin forces in the north. In the meantime, Fahim played a significant role in forming the United Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan. The United Front was the sole multiethnic politico-military front against the Taliban regime. As a distinguished member of the United Front, Fahim made remarkable strides in reinforcing, expanding, and promoting the place of the Front in the Afghan military and political arena.
In the aftermath of the martyrdom of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud on September 9th, 2001, Fahim was chosen by the leaders and commanders of the United Front to lead the resistance forces against the Taliban and serve as the successor of the legendary commander.
“After the late Marshal was informed about (martyrdom of Commander Massoud), he remained undeterred and took charge of the affairs. It was a highly critical time when non of the other close colleagues of the late Massoud wanted to take such a responsibility. Later on, some of them admitted directly to me that they lacked the courage to take such a heavy responsibility after the late Massoud was gone. On the contrary, the late Marshal took that responsibility. His position was officially approved by the late President Rabbani.” (Mohammad Arif Sarwari, Former Mujahidin – Panjsher, Former Director-General of National Directorate of Security)
“In a situation of despair (after Commander Massoud’s assassination), the Marshal did not break down, fear, or run away from taking on the responsibility. He neither left Afghanistan nor the fight. As I said, he was a towering figure in history. He was undeterred and committed to leading the resistance. Marshal said: we lost important personalities before Commander Massoud, Our time will come too, but we will continue on our chosen path in defending our nation and honor till our last breath. Despite the criticality of the situation, he was able to keep the resistance forces united in defending Afghanistan.” (Fazel Karim Aymaq, Former Mujahidin – Kunduz, Member of Parliament)
“Like Commander Massoud, the late Marshal led the forces very well. He quickly created amicable relations with the Mujahidin. After Commander Massoud’s martyrdom, the late Marshal proved to be an effective leader.” (General Mir Amanullah Guzar, Former Mujahidin Commander – Kabul, Member of Parliament)
“We had vowed with the late commander Massoud to fight for the freedom of Afghanistan. We committed to continue our fight till death. Since we had a clear commitment there, when I first learned of the late Commander Massoud’s martyrdom, his death affected me emotionally as we were close friends for 24 years, also because he was an elder and our leader. After him, it was my responsibility to not only defend his blood but also continue his path in our fight against the enemies of Afghanistan till reaching our goals.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage, 2003)
The events of September 11th, renewed international interest in Afghanistan. As the head of the United Front’s forces, Fahim negotiated critically important support mechanisms and rules of engagement with the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. In those negotiations, he insisted on preserving the national interests of the country.
“We will succeed, I believe in this like as one believes in God, we will succeed!” (Marshal Fahim)
“The late Marshal always supported the late commander Massoud. He was a significant pillar of the late commander’s forces. As the second in command, he always supported, accompanied the late commander. May God bless their souls.” (Abdurrab Rasoul Sayaf, Former Mujahidin Leader)
Fahim led advancing United Front forces to Kabul. Played a pivotal role in establishing new government institutions and the success of the Bonn Conference.
“The late Marshal played a key role in the historic Bonn Conference and the new era that followed. When I headed the delegation (to Bonn), the Marshal and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah were in touch with the late President Rabbani. My 17-member delegation consisted of senior resistance and government figures. We were constantly in touch with the leaders inside Afghanistan. The Bonn Conference succeeded, and I can say with certainty, had it not been for the late Marshal’s unwavering support, Bonn Conference would not have succeeded.” (Mohammad Yunus Qanoon, Former Mujahidi, Former First Vice President)
Fahim played a highly significant role in laying the foundations for the post-Taliban government institutions. He played a significant role in bringing security and stability to the country. In the interim administration, he served as the First Vice President and Minister of Defense.
“In the post-Taliban era, the late Marshal’s vision was to see a secure, developed, and stable Afghanistan. Due to that vision, he is considered the founder of the (modern) Afghan National Army. History will remember him as the first Minister of Defense of Afghanistan (post-2001).” (Enayatullah Nazari, Former Mujahidin – Parwan, Former First Deputy Minister of Defense)
After convening of the Loya Jirga, Fahim was chosen once again as the First Vice President of Afghanistan. To garner the Afghan nation’s support for the new government, as the leader of the victorious Mujahidin forces, Fahim made highly significant trips to the four corners of the country. He Kandahar, Herat, Nangarhar, Balkh, Baghlan, Kunduz, Bamiyan, and Kapisa provinces: He called on Mujahidin forces to participate in reconciliation processes, respect coexistence, and abandon past grievances.
“The people of Afghanistan have thus far lived with a spirit of brotherhood, have welcomed freedom, unity has taken roots, and past grievances and enmity are dying out, people of Afghanistan have shown national unity in practice. The people of Afghanistan have shown that they are a united nation, brothers, bonded as a nation through deep human and religious values. Due to these bonds, no event in history can divide the people of Afghanistan.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage from 2002, Nangarhar Province)
He strived along with other country leaders to reestablish broken state institutions and lay the foundations of a democratic Afghanistan.
“The truth is that for the first time in the history of Afghanistan. A government was created where all groups, parties, tribes respected the government’s model and legitimacy. That’s where the late Marshal’s role in the post-Taliban government starts. In that government, he served as Vice President and Minister of Defense.” (Amrullah Saleh, Former Mujahidin, First Vice President)
In 2003, in recognition of his efforts during Jihad against the Soviets, resistance against the Taliban, and creating new state institutions, President Hamid Karzai granted him the title of ‘Marshal of Afghanistan’ – the country’s highest military rank. Fahim believed the title was a unique honor and belonged to Afghanistan’s people, particularly the families of martyrs, people of determination, and Mujahidin forces.
“No doubt, he was the founder of the new Afghan National Army. He deserved to become a Marshal. Even his opponents would admit that.” (Dr. Mohaydin Mahdi, Former Mujahideen – Baghlan, Former Member of Parliament)
During the interim and transitional periods to gain support for new institutions and the national army, the late Marshal made important overseas trips to the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Tajikistan, Iran, India, and the UAE. He met with officials of these states and called on them to support newly founded state institutions in Afghanistan, in particular, in arming and equipping of the newly formed Afghan National Army and restoration of Afghan Air Force
He stressed the importance of maintaining cordial relations with countries of the world, good neighborly relations with the neighbors of Afghanistan, and the international community’s continued support in developing a vibrant economy in the country.
“I hope that one day these kandaks turn to liwas (battalions), and battalions, turn to corps, and corps make up the National Army of Afghanistan.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage from 2002, the inauguration of the first Afghan National Army Battalion)
Following the presidential elections of 2004, Fahim engaged in political work outside the government. His five years’ political work culminated in the formation of Afghanistan’s most significant political reform movement called the Jabhaye Milli (the National Front). The former President Burhanuddin Rabbani led the National Front. Fahim believed the way forward for the country was to establish a united, progressive, and inclusive government in Afghanistan.
“We believe that a government of national unity can resolve problems of the country.” (Marshal Fahim, Video Footage from 2009 presidential elections, Balkh Province)
“He was someone with foresight. He always believed in a (united) Afghanistan. Not in one tribe or ethnic group. He used to say no group can rule the country alone. He believed that once all parties felt they were part of the system, and saw their representatives in the government, only then we can see stability in Afghanistan. He believed that Tajiks, Pashtuns, or Uzbeks couldn’t rule the country unitarily.” (Ghulam Mohammad Khan, Former Mujahidin Commander – Panjsher) “
In the 2009 presidential elections, Fahim became a Vice President for the third time. As the first vice president and along with other Afghan leaders, he spared no effort to bring peace to the embattled nation. He also worked to renew and reinforce the place of the former Mujahidin in the government of Afghanistan.
“My very dear brother, Mohammad Qasim Khan Fahim, Marshal of our dear country, Vice President, passed away on March 9th, 2014, our dear Marshal, whom I usually referred to as ‘Fahim Khan’ was not only a very dear personal friend but also in national matters, was my companion and strong supporter. He was a powerful personality of our beloved country. He was an exceptional patriot. He was kind to the people of Afghanistan and had infinite national pride. In friendship and personal relations, with myself, he was always very polite, kind, and cordial.
He was a valiant person. He had exceptional valor and courage. He was a very close friend of mine. In national matters, our late Marshal, our dear Marshal, was a patriot, had a strong belief and long-term view for the development of Afghanistan’s relations with the world. While he believed in having cordial relations with the world, he also believed in a proud, independent, and sovereign Afghanistan.
He could not tolerate the slightest chances of undermining Afghanistan’s sovereignty in dealing with other countries. On the contrary, Afghanistan’s national sovereignty was first for him, and relations with the world second. He made extensive efforts to establish institutions in Afghanistan. He paid particular attention to the creation and support of the Afghan National Army, in creating National Air Force, in creating a powerful ministry of defense capable of defending the territory of Afghanistan.
In all of these areas, in personal relations and friendship, and in national matters, in official, state relations, I fully trusted him. There was nothing that I could not discuss with him. On both national and personal issues, I benefited from his good views.
His absence is felt greatly. I wish he were alive at this critical juncture in the life of our people. So that he could have accompanied and supported us, but since life is transient, we’ll all go through the same path, May God bestow upon him paradise, may his memories remain eternal, and may God protect his children, brothers, and family. May they have peaceful lives.
I always remember him. I miss him.” (Hamid Karzai, Former President of Afghanistan)
Marshal Fahim was interested in literature and Islamic philosophy and often recited poems of Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkh(Rumi), Mirza Abdul Qader Bidel, and Alama Iqbal Lahori.
“He was interested in Afghan culture, poetry, music, and Peace in Afghanistan. He was interested in Afghan epics and liked beautiful ghazal poetry. Whenever I shared a matter of spiritual significance with him, n only he would praise that, but would also shed tears.” (Massoud Khalili, former Mujahidin, Former Ambassador to Spain)
He believed peace was a necessity for current and future generations of Afghanistan. He also thought that the way forward for the country was making decisions by reaching national consensus through negotiations.
Marshal of Afghanistan passed away on March 9th, 2014, at the age of 57.
The Afghan government ordered a three-day-long national mourning. Officials of many countries termed the death of Marshal Fahim as a significant loss and described his role in the restoration of peace and stability in the country as integral.
Prime Minister of India said, “we shall never forget his personal contribution to nurturing and strengthening the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership.”
President of Pakistan termed Marshal Fahim’s contribution to a prosperous Afghanistan as “significant.”
President of Tajikistan praised Marshal Fahim’s role in fostering close and friendly relations between the peoples of Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Sri Lankan President described Fahim as “Fearless commander, one of the bravest sons of Afghanistan.”
United States Ambassador to Kabul called Marshal Fahim a “leader for Afghanistan in times of war and in times of peace [who] played a crucial role in the establishment of a modern, unified Afghan state.”
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), described Marshal Fahim as “a good and trusted partner of the UN.”
ISAF Commander General Joseph Dunford described Fahim as a “committed and strong leader whose role in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region, will be missed.”
On March 11th, 2014, Based on a decision by a special session of the Afghan cabinet, Marshal of Afghanistan was laid to rest in Deh Kipak hill on the northern edge of the capital.
The above text is based on the documentary Life & Legacy of Marshal Fahim. The original can be found on Youtube.
Life & Legacy of Marshal Fahim (English subtitles)