Khost families end 50 years of hostilities

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Two families in the Musakhel district of southeastern Khost province have put an end to a 50 years old feud.

Hailing from Zorkot village, members of the families hugged each other after mediation from government officials and tribal elders.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, some members of the reconciled families said they had suffered over the last five decades. They urged other rival families to forget their enmities and embrace each other.

A member of one family, Jamil, said: “To create an enmity of easy, but it is really hard to live in enmity. I pray to Allah not to push anyone into such agony. Thank God, I am happy to live in peace with my relatives”

Mohammad Wali a member of the other family, said their feud had finally been turned to friendship after five decades of pain and fear.

Wali said: “We suffered a lot of problems. We were afraid of everyone, no matter where we were. I hope no one go through such trying times. I am happy to see an end to our enmity.”

One of the tribal elders involved in the mediation efforts told Pajhwok they were trying to end other enmities as well. Tribes and families gained nothing but hatred from feuds, he remarked.

A tribal leader, Toryalai Mangal, said: “As long as there are feuds and enmities in society, no individual or tribe can enjoy a hatred-free life. If such enmities end, the nation will live happily.”

Addressing the reconciliation ceremony, Khost Governor Abdul Qayyum Rohani urged people to learn from the reconciled families and put an end to their problems through jirgas.

Rohani said: “The grudge between these two Muslims has eventually gone away. I hope their reconciliation will become an example for other feuding families, who will also end hostilities and live in brotherhood.”

Provincial police chief Abdul Rasheed Omari said they were doing all they could to end feuds with the help of tribal leaders.

Dozens of enmities among people have been resolved in Khost province as a result of efforts by government officials and tribal chieftains.

aw/mud