Westminster Declares ‘Massoud Day’ to Remind Afghans They Are Not Forgotten

Westminster Declares ‘Massoud Day’ to Remind Afghans They Are Not Forgotten
VETS4NRF members accept the proclamation for "Massoud Day" from Westminster city councilors in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
John Fredricks
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Westminster officials declared last week that September 9, 2023, will be proclaimed Massoud Day after Ahmad Massoud, described as the founding father of the resistance against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s and then against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the 1990s.

Known as “The Lion of Panjshir,” Massoud was assassinated by al-Qaeda two days before the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks.

“This Proclamation Day is about honoring him and his legacy to give people hope in Afghanistan,” former Army intelligence officer Mark Newgent told The Epoch Times. “That’s what this is really about … to let them know that they are not forgotten.”

Veterans hold Westminster's proclamation for "Massoud Day" in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Veterans hold Westminster's proclamation for "Massoud Day" in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

As Panjshir continues to be the only province free of Taliban control in Afghanistan, it is Massoud’s son, Ahmad Shah Massoud, who is continually fighting against the Taliban after the 2021 exit of United States’ forces.

“Nowhere in the world are people more oppressed than the Afghan people, who are currently overseen by 21 different terrorist organizations,” a former Afghan American soldier who goes by his military call sign, Legend, told The Epoch Times.

Legend, a close contact of Massoud, said he sees Westminster’s new proclamation as a way to give hope to the Afghan people.

“It reminds them that the people of America have not forgotten about Afghanistan,” he said.

"Legend" stands in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
"Legend" stands in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

United States Army veteran Bob Kender, who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan said he is also encouraged by Westminster’s proclamation, which he said he hopes will help raise attention to federal officials to support the resistance and to remind Afghans that they are not forgotten by America.

The Massoud Foundation USA, which provides meals, medical treatment, and education to women and children in Afghanistan, was also named after Massoud.

Westminster city officials said in the day’s official proclamation that they hope residents will honor Massoud’s legacy by “caring for their friends and providing hope to those in need.”

A VETS4NRF pin in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
A VETS4NRF pin in Westminster, Calif., on May 24, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
John Fredricks
John Fredricks
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John Fredricks is a California-based journalist for The Epoch Times. His reportage and photojournalism features have been published in a variety of award-winning publications around the world.
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