MPs rename Massoud Day as Martyrs Day

KABUL commander Ahmad Shah Massoud’s death anniversary would be marked as Martyrs Day.

Massoud, who fought against Soviet troops, was assassinated on September 9, 2001, two days before the 9/11 attacks on the US. Later, parliament gave him the title of Afghanistan’s National Hero.

Mujib Rahman Samkani, deputy head of the commission on health, youth and labour, said the government has suggested Sept.  9 be declared a national holiday.

Parliamentarians thoroughly discussed the suggestion, with some wanting Sept. 9 declared “Martyrs Day” and others asking for observing the day as Massoud’s Martyrdom Day.

Sakhi Mashwani, an MP from eastern Kunar province, insisted the day should be named as Martyrs Day. “Many Afghans have been martyred. If we have to honour all of them, we will have holidays all year round.”

First Deputy Speaker Zahir Qadir, who chaired the session, asked for a vote on the issue. Ninety of the 127 MPs present voted for the day being declared Martyrs Day.

September 9 was declared a public holiday after by the Cabinet last year, Ali Iftikhari, the spokesman for Ministry of Labour, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

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