Posted on 09/12/2005 7:47:05 AM PDT by Valin
Afghanistan slips from public radar Fremont's 'Little Kabul' much quieter four years after attacks
FREMONT — In the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, microphones and TV cameras bombarded Fremont restaurant owner Wahid Andesha. BBC, CNN and other major news networks broadcast worldwide his feelings about the brazen terrorist assault and the ensuing U.S. invasion of his native Afghanistan. And some 15 news vans camped out in front of the cluster of Afghan-owned businesses along Fremont Boulevard in Centerville that the world came to know as "Little Kabul."
Today, four years after the attacks, Afghanistan has largely disappeared from headlines and television sets. Motorists speed along the main drag through the Centerville district with little notice that they have entered Little Kabul, save for a tattered Afghan flag, Farsi writing etched on a hair salon window or the marquee of the landmark Center Theater that announcesthe showing of Afghan films.
Many Afghans say their native land — and their once-celebrated Little Kabul — simply has been forgotten. "Bush and the government claim Afghanistan is a top priority for us, but it never has been and it never will be," says Andesha, 58, who owns Salang Pass Restaurant. "Some Afghans say if 9/11 didn't happen, Afghanistan would be completely forgotten."
The war in Iraq and other unrest in the Middle East have largely diverted the media's attention from Afghanistan. But local Afghans say it is crucial that Americans keep a tight focus on the ongoing situation in the war-torn nation. "This is the beginning of the war on ignorance and extremism," said Nasir Durani, 48, an Afghan refugee who serves on the board of the Afghan Center, a Fremont nonprofit group that provides support services to Afghans here and in Kabul. "Afghanistan is the front line. We must not forget Afghanistan."
Second flight
Bordering countries such as Iran and Pakistan, Afghanistan has had a history of conflict. Spurred by a Soviet occupation beginning in 1979 and the subsequent civil war that gave way to the rise of the Taliban, millions have fled the politically unstable country during the past 25 years. Today, it appears many of the 15,000 who made their homes in the Fremont area are taking flight once again — this time for economic reasons.
Local business owner Homayoun Khamosh said he will continue to live in Fremont. But many of his Afghan customers, friends and family members have escaped the rising housing prices and flat economy of the Tri-City area, and relocated to more affordable Central Valley cities such as Tracy, Modesto and Sacramento. About one-quarter of the local Afghan population has moved away, Khamosh estimates. And emigration from Afghanistan is at a trickle. That has had a profound effect on foot traffic along the two-block stretch of Fremont that is home to more than 20 Afghan businesses that include a travel agency, banquet halls and restaurants.
Losing a chunk of his primary customer base is one of the reasons Khamosh sold Pamir Food Mart last month. The popular Afghan market — which for nine years sold fresh-baked naan bread, large Afghan melons and halal meats, the Muslim equivalent of kosher — will continue to operate under the same name. "People are not worried about Afghanistan anymore," Khamosh said. "They are worried about the economy and making a living."
Patriotism and resolve
Many younger Afghans also have left town — but for a different reason. They are lending their skills and services to the U.S. government in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. They have taken military and civilian roles, ranging from advisers to interpreters to engineers. "You will see more Afghan Americans walking in the streets of Kabul than in the streets of Centerville," quips Durani, who frequently travels between the Bay Area and the Afghan capital for which Little Kabul is named.
Their contributions demonstrate a sense of patriotism and resolve to defeat the Taliban and other extremist factions, Durani says. It is a conviction many Afghan Americans hold. Marina Amin opened Nilare Boutique, an Afghan clothing and jewelry shop, a year ago. Under the Taliban regime, women such as herself would not have been able to own a business, says Amin, who emigrated from Afghanistan when she was just 10. "The Taliban had to go, especially for the women," said the Union City resident. "They couldn't go to school or university. They couldn't watch TV or wear makeup."
A delicate fabric
Like many other Americans, Berkeley resident Ruth Silverman knew nothing about Afghanistan before 9/11. "It's like it didn't even exist," she says while browsing through Amin's store with a friend one recent morning. Today, however, Afghan culture appears to be woven into the fabric of the Fremont community. Non-Afghan customers ask Amin for burkas, while others pick up loaves of naan next door at Pamir market.
A few steps away, members of Bay Area book clubs meet at the cozy Salang Pass. They nibble on lamb and rice pilaf and sip hot tea while discussing themes in "The Kite Runner," a New York Times best seller about a boy who emigrates from Kabul to Fremont.
But restaurateur Andesha is quick to warn that the community fabric is delicate and easily torn. "If Tillman gets killed in Afghanistan, we don't get Americans for a week until they find out it was friendly fire," said Andesha, referring to NFL player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, who was accidentally killed in Afghanistan by U.S. forces during a firefight. "If an American truck gets blown up, we feel the effects."
Rebelbase's Fault!
I hate you!
" "Some Afghans say if 9/11 didn't happen, Afghanistan would be completely forgotten.""
Uhhh! If it wasn't for 9/11, we probably won't have gone there in the first place!
You're both saying the same thing. And you're both right.
After the Soviets left, so did we. There's a very valuable lesson in that....finish the job
This is followed by the following:
Many younger Afghans also have left town — but for a different reason. They are lending their skills and services to the U.S. government in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. They have taken military and civilian roles, ranging from advisers to interpreters to engineers. "You will see more Afghan Americans walking in the streets of Kabul than in the streets of Centerville,"
In other words, the article contradicts itself.
Afghanistan has disappeared from the news because Afghanistan is a success story. Afghans are going home. There is little to report.
When there is little to report, that is good news. But Americans are still there chasing bandits and training Afghans to do the same. They are off the press' radar, but they are not off of Washington's. They will stay there until Bin Ladin has been taken.
Then they will slip off our radar.
It's not off mine..radar that is. A good place to go
http://afghanwarrior.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the post!
My cousin is due to be deployed to Bagram any day now.
I'll pass this along to him.
Good article, but on the wrong track.
India is now in charge of Afghanistan, and will be moving troops in to take over US responsibilities.
This should've happened sooner, but the treasonous Secretary of State failed to get it done.
Syria's next.
India is now in charge of Afghanistan, and will be moving troops in to take over US responsibilities.
Source please. First I've heard of this.
It was published here first.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1472726/posts
Here's the URL for India Defence [sic]
http://www.india-defence.com/reports/257
Thank you.
Exactly.
Afghanistan is "off the radar" because there isn't enough bad news to report!
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