Reflections Upon The Afghanistan War

AGE: Secondary

Reflections Upon The Afghanistan War

Target Group: top end of KS3/ KS4/Sixth Form

Aim: To raise awareness about some of the issues concerning the conflict in Afghanistan; and to provide reflections which might lead to a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made by all concerned.

Resources:

Music: Chi Mai – Ennio Morricone (or one other evocative piece of music – to be found on any number of Chill Out/Mood compilations)

Readers – 8; to be seated in a shallow arc facing the assembly or class of students.

Setting the scene

This collective Act of Worship is intended to lead students into a deeper awareness of the sensitive issue of the Afghanistan Conflict. It might be that some students have family or friends involved in this conflict so it is suggested that extreme sensitivity is needed if you are aware that this is the case.

Introduction:

(Leader - teacher or student) – We hear each week the sad news that one more, two more, or even larger numbers of soldiers – British, American, Canadian, European, have been killed in the conflict in Afghanistan. It is not possible in such a short space of time afforded by this assembly to explain the full reasons behind this conflict, or why it continues. Rather, this reflection is an attempt to lead us into a greater awareness of the problems being faced when two opposites face each other – these opposites are the opposites of the past and the future – and the problem is that somewhere and somehow the world and the people who live in it, have to bring together the troubles of the past and the hopes of the future in the actuality of the present. No doubt, we will probably raise more questions than provide answers, but without raising the questions, we will not find the answers.

A few bars of Chai Mai – played to capture the mood –

(following music introduction - Reader 1 – stands and reads this section from Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside still waters,

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Reader 1 sits)

(Reader 2 – stands)

Even though I walk through the valley

Of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil,

For thou art with me,

Thy rod and thy staff,

They comfort me. (pause) (Reader 2 sits)

(Reader 3 – remains sitting)

This famous reading from the Bible is called a Psalm which means song of praise. Traditionally it was thought that the greatest ruler in Israelite history named king David was the author. It is thought that he wrote a great many Psalms, ranging across any number of subjects. In order to become king, David had to make many difficult decisions and it might be that writing poetry of this sort helped him in quiet moments. Following the death in battle of his best friend Jonathan and his father King Saul, David was beside himself with grief and he wrote these words to console himself.

(Reader 4 – stands)

Thy Glory O Israel is slain upon thy high places!

How are the mighty fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,

Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon…

Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!

In life and in death they were not divided….

How are the mighty fallen

In the midst of the battle. (Reader 4 sits)

(Leader)

The townspeople of Wootton Bassett in Dorset have found their own way to acknowledge the deaths of those British soldiers killed in conflict in Afghanistan. Each time a serviceman is brought home, the townsfolk of Wootton Bassett stand in quiet ranks to pay homage to the bravery and sacrifice the soldiers have made. No doubt, like King David, they too would write psalms if they were able. No doubt, they too, ask why this should be.

(Reader 5 – stands)

Until 2001, Afghanistan was torn apart by war. Millions of people had died or were disabled. The country’s infra-structure was non-existent and schools and hospitals destroyed. Children often learned to use a gun before they leaned to read or write. Afghanistan was considered a ‘failed state’ with no one authority making laws for the people and looking after the well-being of its citizens. The war lords had taken over.

(Reader 6 – stands)

Many opposing tribes fought each other for control of the county and out of this turmoil, one extreme Islamic group, called the Taliban, gained the upper hand. The Taliban looked at the modern world and did not like what it saw. It did not want to see Afghanistan turned into a modern state and distrusted the values of the modern world, especially the western modern world.

(Reader 7 – stands)

So the Taliban imposed upon the people of Afghanistan a rigid interpretation of Islam – and were determined to get rid of modern ideas and practices which they thought went against the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran. They imposed severe punishments on people disobeying their regulations and these included public executions and cutting off limbs. TV broadcasts were stopped. Televisions destroyed. Music was banned and women were forbidden an education, women were forbidden to work, and women were forbidden to travel anywhere without a male relative in attendance. The Taliban then allowed international terrorists to live and train and plan new operations in Afghanistan. As a result of this, the rest of the world began to see the Taliban as a threat to world peace.

(Reader 8 – stands)

The rest of the story is familiar to us all. September 11^th – 9/11; the July bombings in London – and the United States/ British forces offensive against Taliban controlled Afghanistan in 2001. But as we all know, the result of having to go to war is to be able give a country peace and stability afterwards where people can rebuild their lives. By providing the people of Afghanistan, not with guns, but with the opportunity to have a thriving economy, a good education and health care that works, in this must be found the main lesson of the conflict.

(Leader)

Why British soldiers in Afghanistan? The simplest answer to this is to give the people of Afghanistan the opportunity to live as freely as we do. The Afghan people might have a different culture to the British people, the Afghan people might have a different religion to the British people, but the one thing that all humanity deserves, wherever they live, is the chance is to live and believe in safety and freedom.

In a moment of reflection then – let us consider this question – that no matter what religion, what creed, or what culture we belong to, are there not certain rights that all people are entitled to? And just as in Old Testament times, when King David abused his power, and Nathan the prophet stood up to him, so now in modern times, when those in power abuse its people, must not they be stood up to?

Play Chi Mai

Prayer:

Heavenly Father: we commend to you all those who are venturing their lives on our behalf; that they may achieve the fruits of their sacrifice, and a righteous and abiding peace. Amen.

Areas for classroom discussion

1. Why did Nathan stand up to King David – find out by looking at 2 Samuel 12.
2. ‘Peace is not just the absence of war’ What do you think this means?
3. ‘Christians have a duty to bring about peace on earth’. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
4. In what ways is the conflict in Afghanistan either a Just war or a Holy war?
5. How far is it morally justifiable for Christians to partake in war?
6. For research, explain the meanings of jihad, mujahid, and shahid
7. To what extent do Taliban religious ideas conflict with the true meaning of jihad?