In memory of

Ismatullah, a man

a taxicab driver

killed during October 2006 (Ramadan)

in Kandahar city. A first-hand report by an Afghan citizen who visited his homeland during Eid describes what happened: “in the face of growing suicide car bombs, the international troops have set their own traffic rules. No civilian vehicles may come close or over pass NATO vehicles, and the traffic coming from the opposite end must go off the road and stop. Violators would be shot. In Kandahar I went to the funeral of a friend who was a traveler in a taxicab that came under fire from Canadian troops in Kandahar city during Ramadan. The taxi driver had not stopped and was shot by Canadian troops. My friend, Ismatullah and the driver were completely burned. It had taken a week for Ismatullah's parents to recognize his body... During my time in the country, I met and conversed with many people: drivers, travelers, shopkeepers, and government officials. It seemed the majority of the people (in my case everyone I met) did not think that the presence of international troops was the solution to the problem. In Kandahar, civilians could be seen running away from NATO convoys, because they fear that something might happen. Roles have changed. NATO no more protects civilians; rather civilians protect themselves from NATO.”

Killed by Canadian occupation troops in Kandahar city