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Sulaiman Hakemy
@SulaimanHakemy
1/ So many Afghans I have spoken to in the past week have used this word “khaak” (dust, dirt, even shit) to describe their dreams now. Always “khaak”.
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The Wall Street Journal
@WSJ
As the Taliban returned, Anwari joined a new rush of elite athletes seeking to flee. At roadblocks manned by Taliban fighters, soccer players trying to leave have been beaten in crowds. Others have reported menacing visits by Taliban members. on.wsj.com/3B3ZBCy
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Sulaiman Hakemy
@SulaimanHakemy
2/ it’s a funny word, “khaak”. The English word “khaki” comes from “khaak”. In another context, it can also mean “soil”. The day Kabul fell, I listened to “Khaake Kabul” by the legendary Afghan singer Ahmad Wali- an ode to the soil of Kabul, and what it means to every Afghan.
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Sulaiman Hakemy
@SulaimanHakemy
The last time I listened to it was many years ago in a car driving from Kabul to Panjshir. “My prayers are for you, my soul and body are for you, the soil of Kabul”. So many souls have been sacrificed to that soil, that their dreams are now part of it.