My family planned Eid shopping that day: Mosque attack survivor

KABUL in Kabul says the family was planning to go for Eid shopping after prayers that day.

The coordinated group attack on the Imam and children on August 25.

The attack brought unlimited pain and grief to dozens of families days ahead of Eidul Adha.

This reporter met Merza Hussain Mohammadi and his son at their residence in Hangarha area of Khairkhana. The father and son survived the attack on the mosque, but lost two members of the family ---the mother and daughter.

Mohammadi said it was a shocking attack and he would never forget the bad memories. “My wife discussed Eid preparations with me and said after Friday prayers, we would go to bazaar for Eid shopping.”

Mohammadi showed a 500 afghani banknote saying he was supposed to buy new shoes for his daughter on the occasion of Eid.

Mustafa, 14, who is Mohammadi’s fourth son, said the deadly attack disintegrated their family and the loss of their mother would be hard to forget on Eid.

He recalled Friday prayers were not over when blasts and firing started. “We managed to flee but my mother and sister who were in the upper storey failed to escape. My grandmother and uncle’s wife suffered injuries in the attack,” he said.

Mustafa said he felt alone in the absence of his mother and sister and his soul and heart were uneasy.

With tears in his eyes, he said his mother had purchased new pair of shoes for him on Eid. “But she did not wait and left us before Eid”.

About his sister, Mustafa said she wanted to study gynecology and serve the women of her country.

nh/ma