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| Interviews with Voters - Hindus pin hopes on new president |
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| By: Zainab Muhammadi, Date: 01/08/2009 |
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| KABUL (PAN): Afghan Hindus demand of the future president to pay attention to their problems, besides making efforts to stabilize the country's security and economic situation.
"We are also residents of this country and have problems. I call on the next president to concentrate on resolving our problems," Autam Singh Dilsoz, a perfume seller, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
The 44-year-old father of five children said he stays in Kabul, but his family is living in India as he lacks a house in the capital city.
"My family members did not return after the fall of Taliban regime and I live in Kabul alone to run my shop," he said. "I have no home in Kabul. We have a lot of problems, the next president should pay heed to us."
There are no separate schools for about 30,000 Hindus and Sikhs living in Afghanistan and their children have to study with Muslim children. Public schools teach the basic principles of Islam as part of the regular curriculum.
"The hopes I pinned on the incumbent government did not materialize and I saw nothing beneficial for our community over the past several years," he complained.
However, he shares problems common to all Afghans.
Dilsoz said his key demands are stability and rebuilding of the country. "Establishment of factories and job opportunities for the jobless people are basic things which can bring economic self-sufficiency in our lives," he opined.
According to the ministry of public works and social affairs, more than 2.5 million people are facing unemployment.
"We all are Afghans and the next government must negotiate with the opposition forces to end the insecurity," Dilsoz continued.
While urging all the Afghans to use their votes in the upcoming polls, Dilsoz said he had not yet chosen a candidate.
A member of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Sikh Anarkali Hunaryar, said in the pre-civil war era, there were more than 60,000 Hindus and Sikhs families living in Afghanistan.
Zainab Muhammadi |
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