Safi Airways in-Flight Magazine Jan-Feb 2012

Safi Airways

On the 22nd of February, Safi Airways successfully conducted its first flight on the Kabul Abu Dhabi route...

... .. ...

The worlds biggest Holy Quran

The biggest version of the hand written Holy Quran which was calligraphy by an Afghan in five years ...

Nowruz

the oldest Aryans heritage and the ceremony of nature

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Contents

Contents9 18 20 22 34 46Produced by

Info Chairman Message

Safi Airways board of directors is proud to carry the passengers and business cargo with full enthusiasm...

News Safi Airways

On the 22nd of February, Safi Airways successfully conducted its first flight on the Kabul Abu Dhabi route...

Info The worlds biggest Holy Quran

The biggest version of the hand written Holy Quran which was calligraphy by an Afghan in five years ...

Info Nowruz

the oldest Aryans heritage and the ceremony of nature

Cinema Herat Cinema

The western city of Afghanistan, Herat has been one of the most cultural and literary cities of Afghanistan...

News Union of Airline

The Union of Airline Companies established while the private sector...

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In-flight Magazine

Photo By | Gulboddin Elham

Telephone No +93799446560 +971507428273 Email [email protected] Website www.karoora.net

Chief Editor: Graphic Director: Editors: Translator: Art Assisstant: Reporter: Marketer:

Said Zahid Danial Ali Momeni Pro.SayedYahya Hazin & Nermeen Bishady Jawid Weesaa Asad Changizi Jawid Rostapor Tabassom Nikozadah

Chairman message

Chairman Message

Dear Reader! Safi Airways board of directors is proud to carry the passengers and business cargo with full enthusiasm considering all the international criteria and to achieve the satisfaction and interest of all national and foreign passengers. These all became possible when we dealt honestly with the full commitment for providing standard services to our passengers. Increasing and continuously progress is always important for me and my working team in Safi Airways, and every day I am thinking about providing more facilities to my passengers. As of this policy, Safi Airways has commenced a new route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.. And in the near future we have planned to start another route from Kabul to Bahrain. It is a great pleasure that Safi Airways has achieved remarkable services for its passengers in these few years. The year 2011 was a fruitful year for us with remarkable achievements in the passengers services area for Safi Airways and we have considered more decisions for better activities in this year. We always pay attention to our dear passengers with providing special systems in the international aviation in order to make a completely visionary trip. Safi Airways is trying to take opportunity for helping to the Afghanistan people, and be a good role model to other airlines which are active in Afghanistan. Paying attention to the passengers safety during the flight is from the main issues that made our minds busy on the ground and in the air. We try to increase the safety factors by using modern technology and to assure the passengers that Safi Airways has adjusted itself to global standards. With specific planning based on the global standards in the developing plans, Safi Airways considered to report the improvements with time, to your honorable passengers via this magazine which is in your hands. We are taking our steps with actions not with just with words, through growth and improvement with this great nation in hope to win the bliss and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan.

Ghulam Hazrat Safi Chairman of Safi Group

In-flight Magazine

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Editorial message

Thanks a lot for choosing Safi Airways for your trip to your destination. The 12th issue of In-Flight Magazine in your hand represents the culture and capabilities of Afghan people in different fields of social life. All of us in the Safi Magazine try to present you the best and pure contents of cultural, social and information in English, Dari and Pashto. In the 12th issue you will read some reports from government activities in different parts of Afghanistan, detailed report from the parliament activities and the laws they enacted in the past year and a report from transferring the security responsibilities to Afghan soldiers. in addition to these, in the cultural part we have a look at the history of Nowruz and its ancient traditions and customs in different countries specially Afghanistan, introduction of historical places of Afghanistan, including Ekhtiyaradin Castle, introduc-

ing Kabul and Herat public libraries. Also more than these, in the art section we will have a look at the cinema art in Herat as well as a detailed review of Afghanistan mines. Next you will read an interesting and exclusive interview with an inventor and explorer in the electronics sector who has designed dozens of projects and recently has made an unmanned aircraft by himself. We hope that we have been able to offer your interested contents in the 12th issue of In-Flight magazine. Waiting for your comments and suggestions for improving the contents of this magazine; you can send your comments with our Email Address: [email protected] Many thanks Said Zahid Danial Chief Editor

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Interview

Rajab Ali Andishmand: if Im supported, I will make proud

After seconds waiting behind the phone, I heard his broke and quiet voice. I want to talk to Mr. Rajab Ali Andeshmand, the explorer and inventor, I said. Yes please its me, He answered. We made an appointment for the next day for an interview and He gave me his home address. The next day at nine oclock I set in a taxi to go to the address he told me on the telephone. We passed the streets and narrow roads of Koteh Sangi one behind another. If I knew the address is in these areas I would never come here in these full of mud, dust and sub streets.Said the driver of taxi. I called Rajab Ali Andishmand and asked his address again. We reached to Sarkarizaq which is an overcrowding region. Obviously the region where Mr. Andishmand lived was a poor region. He had a poor house, while the decoration of his house seemed different. At the corner of his room I saw an aircraft which was from his inventions. I looked at this aircraft a few minutes and then I started the interview, at first I asked him to say about his personal life. He answered my question with a smile, I am living in this poor region (Sarkariz) since I was born here in a poor family about forty years ago. I have studied up to six class of school.14 In-flight Magazine

My father named me Rajab Ali, and since I always immersed in the world of ideas and thoughts; I selected Andishmand (thinker) as my nickname. Mr. Andeshmand says that he was feeling the desire to make the electronic devices from his childhood, the time he was 6 or 7 years old when he was making toys from scrap metals and once upon a time when he was 15 years old he has made an excavator for himself which according to him this excavator has changed his lifes route. He explains that when he was busy with the other children playing with the excavator in the alley, the schools head master was passing from there as he was living nearby. He asked the children that from where they have brought this excavator? And the children who were playing told him that this excavator is made by Rajab Ali himself. The headmaster has told him that tomorrow I will take you somewhere because your initiative is interesting and far from imagination. Mr. Andishmand said that the next day of that day the headmaster came and took me with my excavator, I didnt know to where he takes me, at the end with the kind headmaster we went to the

Mines Ministry. After a few minutes we went to the Ministers office and the headmaster put the excavator on the desk and said: Mr. Minister, this boy has made this excavator, his talent is really extraordinary. Mr. Andishmand continued; the Minster kissed me and was very kind to me and I started my excavator for him. The Minster said to me: My son, what do you wish to do with this talent? Mr. Andeshmand says he still remembers the kind face of that Minster and told us the rest of his life story in the world of electric inventions. He says that when the Mines Minister realized the importance of my invention, he wrote an official order to the mechanical office of Jangalak Fabricate. After being tested by some of the engineers in the Jangalak Fabricate, I was registered in the map drawing section. Although Mr. Andeshmand was in the 6th grade of school, but in Jangalak Fabricate he was registered in the 10th grade of the Professional Technical School of Jangalak Fabricate and finished the 14th grade there, but he could never get his certificate, so if he is asked about his degree, he answers that he has finished the 6th grade in school. Rajab Ali Andeshmand has received awards for his inventions he has done. In the Babrak Karmal

Interview

s era the Ministry of Information and Culture announced that they will held a competition for the best inventions and innovations, and the Government will give awards to the best inventions chosen. He took few of the tools he made and gave it to the exhibition responsible. In a few days there was a ceremony in Kabuls Nendarton in Chaman e Hozori in Kabul and the winners had to be announced. He claims this as one of the happiest and non repeatable memories of his life: When the names were announced, the announcer said my name like this: Rajab Ali has achieved the best prize from the juries. It was a big excitement for me, an excitement that I cannot express. It was really an unforgettable scene. The first prize was 10000 Afghanis which was a huge amount on that time and a scholarship from the cabinet delegation to aboard. But the political challenges and the other problems as he says has prevented him to go abroad for the studying. According to him, the situation that time was not good and was some security treats so that the families didnt let their children to go abroad for studying. With all these, he has studied until 14th grade of the Professional School, but doing an interview with

a magazine that time has caused that they deprive him from receiving his certificate. In that interview he said that the Government has given him just the cash prize and they didnt do any remarkable thing for him. The Government responsible and specially the Technical School on that time have asked him to come to the school, as they wanted to arrest him and put him into prison, but instead of going to the school, he left it. After that event he was busy with his uncle in selling metals, but he continued his innovations at home and his passion for that has never been decreased, because according to him the dream of invention and production was always with him and he was always searching for discovering and inventions and he lives in that world and recognizes it as a part of his life. Mr. Andeshmand expresses the problems and difficulties during the war time with sorrow and is angry from no practical use of his inventions. In the war years he immigrated to Pakistan and from there he went to Iran and was there for many years. He tells those years had good and bad memories and problems which he faced on that time. Immigration and residence in Iran was from one side good for

him because he earned good money there because in the factory he was busy, as an inventor he was respected and behaved well by all the employees. But with all that, immigration and being away from the homeland (Afghanistan) was painful for him, because what he was doing there, if he did in his country Afghanistan it was counted as a big honor and achievement for himself and for the people, however working for the foreigners was not so costly and was just a daily salary for him. He says that he has some designs that if go to practical they will be big achievements for Afghanistan, but lack of attention from the authorities to his inventions has caused him to complain from them. Invention of an unmanned airplane was from the conceptions that since years he was dreaming, but in the years after that it was made by USA. He says that when he was informed from the news about that invention, he became sad because he knew it as his and Afghanistan peoples right to build it, but because of no facilities, this concept was buried in his mind. This airplane which he made it recently is one meter long and about 50cm dimension and is now on a stand in his room.it is working via a remote control which functions as a radar.In-flight Magazine 15

Interview

He started the airplane and showed its working by a remote control. It was really interesting. I asked Mr. Andeshmand that has he copied from the other airplanes the material he used for building this airplane. Mr. Andeshmand answered me with a smile on his lips that I have seen the unmanned airplane just in the sky, how could I copy this from that? When asking again that how you made it, he smiles again and says: I have categorized all these in my mind that how can I build it? From what can build it? From where should I start? And what is the task of each material? These were all the questions came in my mind and I processed them in my mind and wrote it on the paper and so my invention was complete. He has more of these concepts and inventions, but has not ability to implement them because making a tool needs materials. Rajab Ali Andeshmand has a concept in preventing traffic accidents which if comes into practical area, the death toll will be reduced to 2 from10 persons and the car and the health damages will also reduce up to 25%. But for applying this concept the supporting of the Government or other organizations is needed in order to prepare the materials. He says for preventing the air pollution and avoiding heavy traffic buriers he has also plans that when practically complied the traffic jam will be reduced up to 36 or 40 percent. According to Mr. Andeshmand he has concept in mind that when practically done, 70% of the ships passengers sinking in the sea will be rescued, however the biggest inventors in the world has worked on these concepts in the other countries but what he has drawn in his mind is separate and away from the others minds!16 In-flight Magazine

I ask him for which reason you made the unmanned airplane before the other inventions such as metro and rescuing people in the traffic accidents? Rajab Ali Andeshmand shakes his head as a confirmation to my idea and says: I visited many time the Government foundations but nobody listened to my ideas, maybe there is no divinity that I am an inventor so for this reason I built this airplane to attract the attention of the Government authorities and to show them and the world that in Afghanistan there are people who have concepts far from imagination. It means as he feels making an airplane is dangerous but he hopes that it become a way for winning in this way that he can do what he always had in his mind and by this to do something for Afghanistan and Afghan people. He says that he is thinking for human beings amnesty and welfare and for this in his most concepts; he

wants the welfare of people in technical and technological areas. His views are different but for making it practical he needs to serious financial support. With all these, the Afghan inventor is trying hard to fulfill his familys daily necessaries at the moment and asks the Afghan and International authorities who are active in this case to help him, he says with confidence that he will do what he say.

In-flight Magazine 17

News

Safi Airways

launches first flight to Abu DhabiOn the 22nd of February, Safi Airways successfully conducted its first flight on the Kabul Abu Dhabi route. This route was launched to serve Afghans living in Abu Dhabi and also serve Diplomats, Emiratis and Afghanis who travel between the two cities. The flight was a success with an extensive mix of different passengers on board who were ceremoniously met in Abu Dhabi by members of Safi Airways management. Safi Airways is also offering a free bus service for passengers from and to Al Ain to Abu Dhabi for passengers originating or travelling to Al Ain, and this was successfully started from first flight, much to the delight of the passengers going to Al Ain.

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News

With growing demands for this sector and an increase in number of visitors in the region, Safi Airways will fly this route 4 times weekly, operating on an Airbus 320 which has a capacity of 12 business class seats and 132 economy seats. Safi Airways has thus provided direct access to its passengers between the two hubs. The Abu Dhabi route is the second new route since the new management team has come on board. With the new senior management team on board, the airline is destined to an uphill growth. The team has plans to expanding its network to other destinations in the next year such as Bahrain which is coming up in April of this year, whilst still maintaining the integrity of the airline. Safi Airways also flies to Dubai from Kabul two times a day, so this is their third route. The new route to Abu Dhabi has new crew members and refurbished seats. The ICAO complaint airline aims to restructure the airline with increased safety standards, improving services, increasing productivity of the highest possible standards. With future plans of major overhaul of product onboard, as well as establishing long term business plans and a model that is economically viable and successful, Safi Airways is definitely the ideal airline for travelers flying to and from Kabul, and has stayed true to its goal of making Afghanistan reachable from all parts of the world.


Info

The worlds biggest Holy Quran has been calligraphy handwritten by AfghansThe biggest version of the hand written Holy Quran which was calligraphy by an Afghan in five years officially announced in a ceremony that dozens of scholars, government officials and clergymen were participated. The great Quran has been calligraphy handwritten by ten Afghan calligraphers and the budget was paid by the Cultural Center of Hakim Nasser Khusro Balkhi. This handwritten Quran is the biggest calligraphy Quran in the world. The Idea of writing this book was given by Afghan Ismailia leader, Said Mansour Naderi who also paid the expenses too. This Holy book has been calligraphy handwritten by Mohammad Saber Yaghut Husain the great artist with his five students. This great artwork has two hundred and eighteen pages, two meters and thirty centimeters height, one and half meter wide and eighteen centimeters thickness. Its written on special fabric with acrylic color, its thirty parts designed and miniaturized in thirty different kinds. The work on Holly book started in 2007 and finished in 2011. It took two other years for paging and other works. Haji Said Mansour said on celebration day that this artwork is the achievement of all the Afghanistan and worlds people and wished peace, improvement and stability for Afghanistan the he added: having such a20 In-flight Magazine

unique artwork in Nasser Khusro cultural center was one of my moral and religious aspirations that I felt responsible to fulfill it. Nematullah Shahrani Adviser of presidency was one of the speakers at this event; he said that this book is a great honor for all Muslim Afghan people and also noted that some efforts also should be done about Nasser Khusro Balkhis biography. In another part of his speeches he praised Haji Sayed Mansour Naderis cultural and historical services. Specifications of this unique version of Holy Quran: Calligraphy initiatives: pretty writing and calligraphy of this Holy Quran has been done by Mohammad Saber Yaghut Husain Khadri, the skilled and master calligrapher with the cooperation of his five students. Back Cover design:

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the back of this book is covered with high quality goat skin fabrics with natural color. Its miniatures are from gold water in Behzad style and carved at eighty Celsius temperature and thirty tons of pressure. Issuance of Fatwa, certificate and official visits: way of writing and reading of this unprecedented artwork reviewed by Ministry of Haj and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Supreme Court and then the official judicial decree and certificate issued to Hakim Nasser Khusro Balkhis Cultural Center. The location: its archive place is the second floor of Hakim Nasser Khusro Balkhis building in the library where decorated with precious and beautiful stones. At the center of this saloon there is a glasses square box with 3.26 Meters height and 3.5 Meters wide which its special glasses were brought from Germany. The book is located at the center of this square box on its special metal place. In the archive location, also special speakers and video screens installed for giving information about this great book and also playing the audio of Gods words in national and international languages.


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Nowruz, the oldest Aryans heritage and the ceremony of natureNowruz is one of the oldest celebration parties and a legacy of thousand years of our ancient Afghanistan. This great celebration was held in Arianna at the beginning and awakening of nature. The beginning and awakening of the nature is the end of cold winter when the tulips and basils start to grow in mountains. The ancient celebration of Nowruz which is the oldest celebration of nature awakening was held in Afghanistan in the first day of the first month of every year. Its been said that Nowruz is the memorial of Kiomars, who some narrators said that he was the first human and sovereign of the earth, but some other people said that Nowruz was belonged to Jamshid who was the Aryans king and they believe that when Jamshid defeated the Wrongdoers, the people held a celebration and called it Nowruz. Nowadays Nowruz is celebrated at the first day of the first month of the year and the beginning of spring in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, some parts of India, Pakistan and other Asian countries. UN General Assembly officially accepted this day as an international day in 2010 and placed this day in the calendars. The adopted text at the UN General Assembly has described that Nowruz is a celebration with more than three thousand years history and more than 300 million people celebrate it. Before then, the Nowruz was recorded as an intangible heritage by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The word Nowruz: Nowruz is a compound name which combined by two words of Persian Dari now means fresh and ruz in the middle age Persian Dari meant the sun. Today we can translate it in English The New Day. Holding Nowruz Celebration in Afghanistan: Mazar-e Sahrif, the northern city of Afghanistan hosts thousands of people from all over Afghanistan just before the New Year arrives. The people even come one month earlier to participate in partyin which they raise the flag on Hazrat-e Ali shrine which is famously called Sakhi Shrine. They rent the apartments and other places because later there would not be any place left. Even a night before the New Year you may see lot of people with tents in the alleys and streets of Mazar-e Sharif waiting for the New Year sun rise. In addition to the tradition of celebrating Nowruz celebrations that are underway in various provinces, raising the flag on Sakhi shrine is a very old tradition. This event is attended by thousands of people from all over Afghanistan; senior government officials and sometimes the president himself. Buzkashi, Pahlawani, fireworks and going to other entertainment places continues up to ten or fifteen days. In this period the people collectively with their family members go to Balkhs plains for fun and games, which is called Red Flower picnics. Background of Nowruz ceremonies: Nowruz begins from the moment of spring equinox. In astronomy, spring equinox or vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere is the moment when the sun passes through Earths equator and goes toward north of the sky. This moment is the first moment of Hamal month (the first month of solar calendars),

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In-flight Magazine

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and in the solar calendar its equal with the first day of (Horomz day or Ormzad day). Nowruz is equal to one of 21, 22 or 23rd of March in Gregorian calendar. Nowruz in Islamic kingdoms: there is no sign of holding the Nowruz celebration at the Umayyad period, in Abbasid period it] seems that some of the caliphs welcomed the Nowruz because of peoples gifts. With the arrival of the Samanid and Buwayhid, the celebration was held more extensive in Khorasan. During the Seljuks period, and at the time of Jalaladin a group of astronomers including Omar Khayam gathered for rebuilding the calendar of that time. This group proved the first day of spring as Nowruz. According to this calendar, which then became known as Jalali calendar, every four years once they would count 366 days in a year. This calendar started from 392 AH. Nowruz tables: Haft sin (seven S) is a famous and common fruit and food table in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iranand Azerbaijan. Haft Sin table is one of the shared rituals in Nowruz celebrations among the people who celebrate this event. Haft Sin table includes seven fruits which their names start with S letter in Persian language; like garlic, measures, coins, Samanu, apples and so on. Every one of them has its special meaning. Apple, for example, is the symbol of beauty and health, or sea-buckthorn is the symbol of love and affection, and coin is the sign of livelihood. Some materials are just for decoration in these tables like mirror and egg, but other things are for the guests to eat. When the dishes become empty, the homeowner fills them immediately. In Kabul and Northern provinces seven fruit table is common. This table can include seven fruits together, such as green and red raisin, walnut, almond, pistachio, apricot and sea-buckthorn.

Nowruz Foods: one of the most common foods which are cooked on the occasion of Nowruz is Samanu (Samanak). This food is prepared using wheat germ. In most countries where Nowruz is celebrated, this food is cooked. In some countries, cooking this food is associated with certain rituals. Women and girls in different regions of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Uzbekistan cook this food at night. They gather together and sing special songs during cooking it. Other foods are also cooked in Nowruz, for example in some parts of Afghanistan and Iran they cook vegetable rice with fish, or in Turkmenistan they cook Nowruzbaame, while in Kazakhstan they cook Oweghi Ashar, and in Bukhara they cook different types of samosas. Generally, every region has its own regional foods and sweets in Nowruz. Sport games: another ritual that takes place in some countries for Nowruz is holding sports competitions in cities and villages. In Afghanistan people play Buzkashi, Pahlavani and other local games. In Turkmenistan, Turkmen men and women play special games, including riding, wresting, chess and other games. Nevertheless, now Nowruz is an international day and everyone knows that this day is the beginning of the New Year and the change of the nature.


News

Safi Group for the second time participated at the Gulf Food Exhibition with an Individual Stall, displaying all their products for the International Market. The Footfall at the Stall was manufacturing, dealers of Oil,Sugar,Milk ,Tea & Rice were very satisfied with the quality and Service. Plenty Orders were booked and Shahista Brand became the word on every lip. The Stall was very well designed and received heavy applause from the Clients .Every Client and visitors to the stall were gifted with packs of Brands at the stall. Manufacturers, Retailers ,Suppliers all visited the Stall and presentations were done ,meetings were held with the Chairman and major contracts were signed. Due to the success of this year participation Safi Group has already signed up their presence at the Gulf Food 2013.

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In-flight Magazine

Report

Afghanistan Parliament inonelookAfter creating an interim administration in Afghanistan in collaboration with the international community, Afghanistan government has tried very hard for improvement of governmental organs. The first presidential election as the basement of democracy has conducted. After that the first parliamentary elections held nearly seven years ago. The Afghan civilians showed the legitimacy to electoral process with their presence at the elections. With the first parliament after nearly forty years of crisis and turmoil, the people experienced democracy by establishment of parliament. countrys freedom and independence against Soviet army. He noted: giving right for these people under a specific law in Afghanistan is one of the essential priorities. Hence the people with disabilities have their legal rights and the government is obliged by law to help people with disabilities. In the first half of this year many Ministers also being asked and summoned by the people representatives in parliament. Asking Minister of National Defense in order to provide security against terrorism and robustness of national army after 2014 was from the controThe parliament has done lot of works for making and versy subjects of parliament. approving important rules and laws along with government. Dozens of laws and rules have enacted in the Ahmad Behzad, former deputy head of parliament said first round of parliament. After the end of five year to Safi Magazine that they have always been in conworks of the representatives, the second round of par- tact with the security officials for establishing and havliamentary election held in Afghanistan in collaboration ing a powerful and active army. Hence more than other with the international community in order to implement government officials, Ministers of National Defense, the law and democratic government in Afghanistan. Interior and National security were summoned to the About two years ago, Afghan people actively partici- general assembly meetings. pated in the elections and showed the world that they support the elections and government for bringing de- This member of the parliament emphasized that some mocracy in the country. During two years of second neighbors are still trying to disrupt order and stability in parliament works, dozens of laws enacted. By imple- Afghanistan. Because of this, the security authorities mentation of these laws and rules, lot of facilities will be should pay attention on this subject with seriousness and responsibility. For solving this issue the parliabrought to both people and government officials. ment has summoned three or four times the Ministers Alemi Balkhi, a member of the parliament noted in the of Defense and Interior to answer the questions of the interview he made with Safi Magazine that they have representatives. obligation to the people and country. So whatever is being approved or processed by the people represen- The Chamber of Commerce and Industrys law was tatives should be for the peoples good in order to act another activity of the parliament in the first half of this year. Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines law for national interests. prepared in four chapters with 17 articles and adopted From the works of the second assembly in the first half after the parliament approval. The economic experts of this year Mr. Balkhi named the approving of disabil- believe that this law will order the business and emity law in Afghanistan for the people who fought for the ployment in a clear border which both the traders and government officials can work for the development and26 In-flight Magazine

Report

growth of business. Enacting the disaster law was another successive activity which the people representatives approved. In a conference which was held for this subject, the participants decided that the Ministers who are member of the disaster committee should take responsible in six months periods. And take care of this committee. Its notable that this law prepared in four chapters and 29 articles. The Assembly members also emphasized that 18 governmental offices included Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Public Welfare, Transport and Public Health should be members of this committee and every Ministry should act his part in campaigns against disaster. Approving the government budget by peoples representatives was one of the other programs of the parliament that took weeks to discuss. The members of Assembly approved 1390s (2011-2012) budget for the Ministries and other government offices by majority vote. The afghan government considered 224billion Afghani for the 1390s year, included 1.72 Billion for construction and 153 billion for other budgets. In this budget some of the big national projects such as Herat ring road, Nimrozs water supply, Universities of Herat, Baghlan, Paktika, Khosts Airport and Badakhshan provinces budget increased by the Parliament members. In addition, the weekly meetings of the eighteen parliamentary commissions have continued and in these meetings they discussed on various topics in the parliamentary committee. The important meetings of these commissions were commissions for Religious Affairs, Culture and Higher Educations which summoned the care taker of Educational Ministry Sarwar

Danesh and also Yousef Niazi Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs. In this commission they omitted the two years of experience condition for the Baccalaureate graduates for employment. The commission also discussed about the scholarships in order to divide them between the participants of the university entrance exam. They also discussed about the private universities. The religious affairs commission appointed four of its members to monitor and control the standards of the private universities. Nevertheless, parliament has always served the people of Afghanistan and they delivered the problems of people not only in the formal days but also in other days they travel to the provinces and deliver the peoples problems to government officials.


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Our beloved country, Afghanistan is one of the worlds biggest cultural and civilization cradles. Our wise ancestors have built a great civilization and culture thousand years ago which some of its precious heritages and signs are still visible despite all the damages and harms. This culture and civilization has extended the horizon of history and thoughts between different nations in the past as far as some of these legacies are great honor for us today and its our responsibility to visit, study and more important than all to introduce them for other people. Ekhtiyaradin Castle is one of the greatest cultural heritages; it was built in Porto history (middle of history) for the first time. According to documents this place was known by the name of Artagvan almost three thousand years ago at the time of Aspah Abadan rulers. The Artagvan Castle was built in such a way that the Greek forces could not conquer it until they totally destroyed it. Alexander wrote the story of heroic defense of Artagvan for his mother about this castle and then by recommendation of his mother he built a new wall along the old castle. According to some historical narratives, Ekhtiyaradin Castle was the first castle in Afghanistan which was made by Heratian people with the guidance of Freydouns daughter Shamira to get rid of the enemies. This historical building was destroyed in the 4th century BC by the Macedonian Alexander invasion, but then it was rebuilt by his command again. The castle destroyed again by Changiz and at the Malik Fakhruddins kingdom regime (687-706 AH) the castle rebuilt by his minister Ekhtiyaraddin. In the period of Timors son Shahrukh who moved the capital of Khorasan from Samarkand to Herat in 810 AH, in addition to repairing the castle the decoration of the castle also renewed. Irreparable losses

came to the castle in seventh century by Changizs invasion. Finally after forty years of Moghuls invasion, the Herat people started to repair the castle with Shamsaddin Mohammads management. Bartold, the famous historian believes that the Artagvan city was located at the current place of Herat Citadel (Ekhtiyaradin Castle) and became known as Ekhtiyaradin Castle in Kurts times. The castle was rebuilt in the year 705 AH by Malik Fakhruddin and named it Ekhtiyaradin castle because of Ekhtiayaradins rehabilitation services, which is known by this name until now. Shahrukh ordered to rebuild the old mud brick wall from stone, lime and hard bricks in 818 AH. According to public; the machinery and war equipment, government materials and stocks were kept in this castle. Moen Udine Asfrary, Rawzat Aljanats author offers useful information about the castle: EkhtiyaradinCastle is within the city, connected to the north Barah and has two doors, one toward the north called Bazar and another in south toward Shore. Windows with glasses had been set inside the rooms which let the light to come into the rooms and also they were the escaping ways in the danger time, the residents could go to the roof from the windows and escape from the mysterious ways around the castle. The stairs of the towers were made in such a way that only one person could walk or run in a time. One of the important events in 8th AH century was the defense of Herat people against Moghuls with their leader Jamaladin Mohammad who was the commander of Sam Spah. The Moghuls sent ten thousand forces to Herat when Malik Fakhruddin refused to accept protectorate. Malik Fakhruddin, who knew the people of Herat will fight for their property entrusted everything to Jamaladin and went to AmmanKooh castle. Saifi,


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the famous historian has mentioned this event in Herat history book that Bahadur wanted to occupy Herat with war but when he faced with the people defense, he tried to pay some betrayers and weakens the unity of the people with conspiracies. Amir Timor destroyed the walls of Herat city after he conquered the city but after a few times he ordered to build the citys wall away from the castle so that the castle stays safe from the attacks. Ekhtiyaradin Castle had been a strong base for the Herat defenders for centuries and its clear that the builders of this castle were fully aware of the scientific principles of defend and stockade, because of this the castle never gave up against the enemys attacks and invasions for long time and because of this in 18th and19th century after the Safavians dissolution in Herat it changed to bloody scene. Aref Umanov, a contemporary scholar of Afghanistan who visited Ekhtiyaradin Castle in 1968 has wrote his memories about Herat which published in Anis newspaper No.193-206 he described: if I say that every stone of Herat has its own and separate history it will not be exaggerated. Every stone of this country speaks with you and tells you about the past. To understand this feeling one necessary condition is required which is this that your heart should be full of love for life and show your love and enthusiasm for the pioneers of poets, art and science. Just in this situation the stones which heard the footsteps of the past will tell you the past histories. After the establishment of the interim administration in Afghanistan and concentration of the government on repairing the historic sites and buildings, Ekhtiyardin Castle constructed by Aga Khan Cultural Foundation with the help of United State of

America and Germany with a cost about one million and two hundred thousand dollars and took two years of time. Ryan Crocker, US Ambassador in Afghanistan who spoke at the opening ceremony of the castle said that his country will help Afghanistan in order to rebuild and repair the historical places and Ekhtiyaradin Castle is one of the monuments that shows Afghanistans history to the world. Dr. Said Makhdum Raheen, Minister of Information and Culture said that Afghanistan is a country where every corner in this country is full of historic monuments and buildings, so we can say that this land is a big museum. On the other hand, Dr. Daud Saba, the governor of Herat province said that the start of these projects can be a big step toward retaining of cultural heritages in Afghanistan and also noted that the historical sites and monuments of Herat are countrys most expensive cultural treasures. The historical masterpieces reflect the past spiritual message and they are the real signs of the ancient traditions in our nowadays life. Ancient legacies belong to the public and the public should know their duty to keep them safe for the future generations. The historical archeological monuments should be paid attention. Support and protection of Cultural heritages and transmission to future generation is a public duty. The architectural values which express the past culture and answer the interest of everyone should be cared. Whatever belongs to the past, it has the right to become eternal. Some of the cultural heritages have significant importance that should be preserved as worlds heritage and Herat city as the most ancient area in the country has such a value among the Afghanistan people and the rest of the world.


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Safety FirstSafi Airways is committed to maintaining uncompromising international safety standards. It was the first Afghan carrier to operate in compliance with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) requirements and was the first Afghan carrier certified as complying with the strict ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) regulations. This achievement, among many others, are a result of the team at Safi Airways developing and maintaining an effective Safety Management System (SMS) that promotes the safe delivery of a high standard of service. As part of Safi Airways Accident Prevention and Flight Safety Program, Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) was also introduced towards the end of 2010. FDM is a state of the art computer software system that essentially monitors how the aircraft is being flown and it aims to reduce all areas of operational risk from engine health monitoring to measuring flight data performance. This program became mandatory in Europe for all public transport operations in 2005 and Safi Airways is the first Afghan operator ever to use such cutting-edge technology. Our commitment is to foster and support a safety culture that identifies risks to the operation and work place and proactively deals with these issues before they become injury, accidents or incidents. The safety and well-being of Safi Airways passengers, team members and our Aircraft is of paramount importance to every member of the Safi Airways team. A Quality Assurance System has been integrated into the operational and maintenance parts of the organization, including sub-contractors. Safi Airways will dedicate the required financial, material and human resources to safeguard the system and will always ensure that it is bringing you the utmost in Safety and Quality standards.30 In-flight Magazine

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Afghanistan now has access to 57 countries via ground transportation

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced connecting of Afghanistan with seventy-five countries via ground transportation. The Chamber of Commerce and Industries officials have said that according to an agreement between Afghanistan and international transport organization (TIR) which was signed five months ago, Afghanistan freight cars can directly go to countries in the region and Europe. Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief operating , Qurban Haqjou said at a media news conference that Afghanistan is a member of international transport organization, and according to the most recent agreement with this organization, from now afghan traders can easily with low cost and without complex customs procedures export their goods to other countries. He also pointed out that by the end of this year, Afghanistan will be connected to 57 Asian, African, and European countries via International Road Transport Organization. According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief, access and joining of Afghanistan to (TIR) system is an extraordinary and historical event which solves the problem of Afghanistan from being sounded by dry lands. The traders will have access to sea ports, so they can export and import from and to every part of the world through these ways as soon as possible. TIR is an international transit and transport system which is implemented among the member countries by International Road Transport Organization, and

this system act as an authorization letter to transfer the goods between the member countries. Meanwhile, afghan officials in Transport and Aviation Ministry described this event as an important achievement in the field of land transport and emphasized that, transport is one of the important fundamental factors in economic growth and joining in any of these worldwide transit organizations will Cause economic growth. On the other hand the officials in Finance Ministry said that Finance ministry as an economic machine; knows that any kind of Air, land and sea transport is for the ease of trade and acting as the main element of economic development and trade for the country. Therefore, Ministry of Finance as the donor of all transportation projects that connect Afghanistan to the sea and other countries is ready for implementation and supporting these projects. International Road Transport Organization was established after the Second World War. And now have 180 member countries, from which 57 countries are using TIR system. Afghanistan, for the first time, became member of this organization in 1976, but because of domestic wars was not able to use TIR system. With the starting of Road Transportation with the foreign countries, Afghanistans exports such as carpets, rugs, raisins and crafts will be multiplied. Because most of Afghanistans exports, including carpet and dry fruits have worldwide reputation and can be sold to the world markets.


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Safi Airways announces

Afghan airline increases Middle East presence with fourth destinationSafi Airways, the leading International airline of Afghanistan, has increased its presence in the region with a new flight between Bahrain and Kabul, bringing its number of destinations to four. Slated to commence operation on the 20th of April, with 3 flights per week, the new route is part of a code share agreement with Bahrains flag carrier, Gulf Air, and follows Safi Airways recent announcement of a new route between Abu Dhabi and Kabul. Safi Airways is delighted to commence flight services to Bahrain, said Michael McTighe, Chief Operating Officer of Safi Airways. The Gulf is an important market for us and it offers tremendous opportunities. We are pleased to be part of the expansion and development of this key region and we are continuing in our strategy to indentify new routes, He added. Samer Majali, CEO of Gulf Air, said, This code share agreement with Safi Airways will enhance network connectivity on services between Bahrain and Kabul and will offer a host of benefits to passengers including seamless transfers between flights. We are confident this agreement will be a success and we look forward to facilitating business traffic between the two countries. Bookings can be made online (www.safiairways.com) and through Amadeus and all other major GDSs with all IATA travel agents worldwide. About Safi Airways: Safi Airways (IATA Code 4Q) is the leading international airline of Afghanistan. Headquartered in Kabul and Dubai (UAE) it is the first Afghan airline to be compliant with the safety standards of the international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Safi Airways operates scheduled and charter passenger services and offers belly cargo space on its flights. The senior management includes Executive Director Hamid Safi, COO Michael McTighe and a number of seasoned European airline experts. The airline currently serves Dubai twice daily. Bookings can be made online (www.safiairways.com) and through Amadeus, major GDS with all IATA travel agents worldwide.In-flight Magazine 33

Bahrain

new route to

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HERATThe City of fanfare and Young Cinemaema by some individuals and groups, but the young artists and filmmakers never give up and fight for their goals against problems. Herat Theater Department works under the Information and Cultural Office and has been very active in the past. The department consists of full theater members who alongside working on the stage, they are making movies and producing TV programs too. Even its been said that the first film in Herat city come from Theater Department. However the films that this group of artists have made are more like the shows and theatrical movies, but their activities in this area has been able to maintain the link between the people of Herat and the art of cinema. In addition of producing films, many TV stations started activity in Herat for people entertain. Now, six local TV stations with one national network have broadcasting. Some of the Herat cinema artists are also working for these TV networks. Herat is the city of poets; poetry has a track record than any other type of arts. The oldest literary association of Afghanistan has been established in Herat and some of Afghanistans most famous poets have lived and died in this city. The tradition of enduring poem had a great impact on filmmakers who have risen up from this city. So that some of the Herat filmmakers have come from poetry and some of them who had no experience of poetry have poetry ideas. Such an example of filmmakers can be Roya and Alka Sadat who are the first filmmakers in making story movies and the documentary films and both have poetic approach. The poets usually come to the cinema art because they like to say their thoughts in films or because of entertainment and becoming popular. The latest film which is made by a poet is Paper Boat which was made in 2011 by Fariba Heidari. Paper Boat is the first long length film of Fariba Heidari. This 90-minute film is an admirable effort, but not that much successful. Its retelling the experience of war from view point of Afghan women. Paper Boat is about five childhood friend girls. They have lived together in a big old house since their childhood. They have witnessed Mujahideen, Taliban and current

The western city of Afghanistan, Herat has been one of the most cultural and literary cities of Afghanistan in the past five thousand years ago. From the time when Timor took the rule in Herat up to now, lots of poets and writers have grown and rose in this city. Besides poetry and writing, cinema art has flourished in the recent years in this province and lots of young artists have turned to this art. The insurgents Taliban attacked Herat and in 1996.They destroyed the only cinema of Herat and instead they built a mosque in that site. Building the mosque has not been finished yet when the Taliban regime fell and after that the Karzais government finished the unfinished project of Taliban and the mosque opened. Today hundreds people gather in this mosque to pray and this does not mean the disrespect and disregard for cinema art, because dozens of private art institutions are active in this city and most of their members are young people who are interested and love this art. With all efforts but occasionally some sensitivities rise against cin34 In-flight Magazine

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government in their life. This film shows that how war and violence affects the life of each of these five girls in various forms. From historical and social perspective, the film shows the fights and efforts of Herat women during the war years. In one part of the film which is in the Taliban period, a number of women to the pretext launch a tailor course but their aim is that the young girls learn how to read and write. The story of these underground schools has been mentioned in the book of Herat Tailoring Associations by Christina Lamb that how at the Taliban regime a number of courageous women establish such centers by the name of Tailoring and sewing courses and endangering their lives. Ms. Heidari, who has learned cinema by reading books, shows the necessary energy and talent for becoming film maker with her first film. The Paper Boat film is scheduled to re-edit and summarize, with the second edit of the film it is likely to regain its lost coherence. Its noticeable that Herat filmmakers struggle against extremists who are most opposed to civil liberties and human rights values. Thus filmmakers and most of the people are trying to keep cinema alive. The most important peoples collective strength is the name of cinema intersection which is remained from the past when Herat cinema was

located in that location. This intersection is at the center of the city and its official name is Khuwja Ali Mowafaq Intersection. All these somehow represent an excellent culture with attention to the film production in this city. Where also the first steps in the advertising field also were picked up in this city. The first center of promotional clips established by the name of Zahed Production which then renamed by Karoora Advertising Company and this production has played an important role in the Cinema art and also for business growth in its eight years activity. Karoora Advertising Company has recently initiated and installed the first commercial billboard with 32 Square Meters dimensions at the best position of this beautiful city. This action has been welcomed by the government officials and Herat people. Besides broadcasting commercial clips, also social and cultural messages are being broadcasted by this billboard which shows the goodwill of its administrators and operators for social and cultural issues.


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Kabul Public Library, treasure of wisdom and knowledgeKabul Public Library is known as a big literature, culture and history of Afghanistan, thousands of history and culture books are placed in it. The Public libraries were established in 1966 in order to create a strong and active cultural centre that can meet expectations of researchers from the point of providing useful publications, and expanding their activities range to the Afghanistans provinces. Before that, two other libraries, one by the name of Education library and the other by the name of library of independent directory of publications were active separately in Kabul. In the Education Library, University students, authors, researchers and the other groups of studiers were coming; however researchers and journalists were the only visitors of the Publication Library. After formation of the Public Library, all of its authority was handed over to the Ministry of Information and Culture. All of the books and documents from both libraries were integrated together and it started its activity by the name of The Public Library, with the slogan of Book for All. The Public Library of Kabul was destroyed and looted several times during the past 3 decades of war, especially in the Taliban era, most of its linear books were destroyed, but the Afghanistan Government and the authorities of the library claim that they could collect and return most of the looted books to the library. Abdul Hamid Nabi, director of The Public Library says: since few years ago, they have reopened the state public library branches in the entire country, in a situation that 75 library were completely destroyed in the entire country in Taliban regimes era. The government has reactivated 67 of these destroyed libraries and efforts are being done to reopen the rest of libraries in the Afghanistan provinces. At the moment in the Kabul city and its related districts, 10 libraries are active which each of them has thousands of books and are open every day for the visitors. According to the Public Librarys Director: at the moment in the Archive section of the Public Library, newspapers and publications from 100 years ago are available which can be known as a huge treasure for the Afghanistan knowledge. Ostad Haidary Wojoody, the countrys famous poet and writer, who has the responsibility of the Archive section in the Kabul Public Library, says: there are a lot of books and the other publications available in the Kabul Public Library which is a quote of human history and culture in thousand years ago. The books which are collected in the Public Librarys branches are classified in the modern and accepted method of DV which is an international method in librarianship method. 3 cards (titles card, writers card and topics card) are placed in front of each branch and the visitors can find easily their book from the cards. Because the order of book branches is written according to the printed card, the librarians can easily find the book and give it to the visitor. The Kabul Public Library is divided into these branches: Afghanistan Studies Section: The Public Librarys authorities established this section in


the all public libraries of provinces in 1974. All the books from Afghan and foreign authors which were written in the past centuries about Afghanistans literature, culture, language, geography and history, are arranged in these sections. Any researcher or scholar who wants to find a study about Afghanistans culture, without any doubt they will solve their researching needs from the stored books of this section. More on that, the Afghanistan studies sections a unique trustable reference point to get the answer to all of the foreign researchers to get their scientific needs. The authorities of Culture and Information Ministry of Afghanistan are planning to expand the cultural activities in the Centre and the provinces and for this in the past few years they have sent thousands of books with the cooperation of friend countries to the province branches in order to familiarize the countrys citizens with cultural issues and studying culture. Separated branches are made for each section of the library that from one side is a facility for the librarys visitors and from the other side it is an n explainer of the librarys richness. Reference Section: This section gives access to the reference and source books for usage of the researchers and scholars when needed, like encyclopedias, biographies, lists of books and articles, interpretations, vocabularies, dictionaries, historical and literal texts, poet collections, valuable books of domestic and foreign scientists, geographical texts, log books and other books which can be as trusty sources for the authors, researchers and scholars in their related fields. Reading culture has a long history between the countrys citizens, to the extent that soirees and book readings, poem and story banquets, holding literal and poem circles was a part of noble Afghans. But this classification is according to an old library system in

the countrys centre, however at the moment in one of the Public Librarys branches, the Public Library of Herat province books are kept and distributed in the modern and updated systems. In an interview with Jawid Zargham, deputy of Herats Public Library, he has explained about historical background and course of evolution in this library: Herat library is established in 1930 and in 1945; with establishing directorship of the Public Library it was named the Herat Public Library. Before that it was active under the name of education in a small association. After this date the address of the Library was beside the literature forum of Herat in some small rooms. This library has witnessed many changes during its age, including the Taliban Regime, which in that era about 25000 of its books were taken from this library and it is known as a big stroke for this library. The new building for the library is built in 2004, which is a unique place in the country and is known as a good space for book reading. The sources in the library are provided by government, people and different organizations and foundations. At the moment books are classified and distributed by the new system called LC (Library Congress) which is an international system and is performed in the worlds biggest libraries. However the old DV system was ordered to us for working, but we have made more facilities with the new system. The Herat Public Library has many sections like: Reference Section, Magazines Section, Herat Studies Section, Afghanistan Studies Section, distributing and lending Section. The book lending section is inactive due to some problems. More than 45000 books in 18000 titles are available in Dari, Pashtu, Arabic and English Languages. Considering the rise of book reading culture between the Herat province youths, in the summer season the amount of daily visitors reach to 600-700. Off course in the winter season due to the weather and luck of warming facilities in the library, there are fewer visitors. The administrative issues of the library are under the direct authority of Herats Information and Culture Directorship in coordination with the General Directorship of the Libraries and have contacts with the countrys capital.


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With the Completion of the second stage of the security transfer,fifty percent of the countrys security will be provided by Afghan forces.

ith the completion of the second stage of the security responsibility transfer including eight provinces and seven cities from international forces to Afghan forces, now more than fifty percent of Afghanistans security is provided by National Police and National Army. Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered the National Security Council on December to perform the second phase of security transfer. The officials of Responsibility Transfer Committee handed over the second phase of security responsibility transfer plan to the president which includes eight provinces and seven cities. They have assured that the second part of this program is accurate and will be seriously conducted. Kabul, Daikundi, Takhar, Balkh, Samangan, Parwan, Sar-e-Pol and Nimrooz were from the areas which their security responsibilities transferred to Afghan forces. The cities of Jalalabad, Chaghcharan, Sheberghan, Faizabad, Ghazni, Maidan Shahr and Qala Naw are the seven cities which their security44 In-flight Magazine

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responsibilities will be transferred to Afghan forces in the second phase of security responsibility transfer. The first stage of transferring the security responsibilities began officially six months ago in Bamyan Province. Following that six other regions handed over to Afghan Troops. The provinces which handed over in the first stage for the Afghan forces had no problem and the National Army and Police successfully provided the security in those regions. This program will end in 2014 at the same time with the exit of International forces from Afghanistan. Afghan political experts believe that despite the challenges in the way of National Army and National Police, with the completion of the second phase of transferring the security responsibility fifty percent of the security will be provided. It shows that the security forces are able to defend from Afghanistan and the Interior Ministrys plans were effective for improvement and growth.

The officials of the Defense Ministry say: Most of the operations against the Taliban preformed independently by the Army Forces and they had lot of significant achievements in 2011 than the past years. Afghan government has reached an agreement with the international community for transferring procedure in Kabul conference. Since then, they often discuss on how much successful the procedure of transferring is going on. The international Troops also said about the remarkable abilities and growth of Afghanistan Security Forces and believe that if more attention is paid until 2014, the National Army and Police will be able to provide Afghanistan security and defend against the enemies. Years of Afghan security forces experiences in Afghanistan in fighting and providing security in different parts of Afghanistan, now paved the way for the successful transferring procedure. Because of this, their capacity should be considered and use these

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capacities and experiences for success of this program. The presence of Afghan security forces in many operations shows that they have the ability and skill for defending the enemy attacks and as they showed these abilities in the past they will show it in the future too. The government officials say that following the transferring procedure, the reconstruction programs and fundamental projects have been started in the cities which the security responsibility transferred and these projects were welcomed by the residents. The officials of Defense Ministry said that the people are very happy with the transferring procedure and tens of young people join the security organizations daily and they are motivated for joining National Police and National Army. In most districts where the Afghan forces provide the security, the people feel safer and secure than the past and their cooperation with the security forces has increased. School gates are open to the students and the number students significantly increased, compared to the past years. The Officials of the Rural Rehabilitation and Development have reported the extension programs in different regions where the security responsibilities transferring will be conducted in spring. Jarullah Mansouri, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development recently said at a press conference: With the coming of spring in the provinces that the Afghan forces provide security, tens of reconstruction and

development projects like building schools, using water and energy sources will be started. On the other hand the MOD spokesman said that they have serious plans in hand to develop and enhance the capacity and number of military forces. Equip the forces with modern weapons, vocational training of the army by domestic and foreign trainers and raising the quantity of military forces are the programs and plans which the Ministry is working seriously on them. One of the priorities is to equip the Afghan air force which the international community has promised to standardize this sector as soon as possible and provide the required aircrafts for Ministry of Defense. At the moment the number of Army forces reaches to one hundred and ninety-five thousand troops and the number of National Police Forces is one hundred and forty-seven thousand forces who are busy in providing the security. Beside that about one hundred and forty thousand international soldiers from thirty six countries

are helping Afghan people, according to the UN Security Council decision. Nearly hundred thousand of these soldiers are from United States. Afghan people have their own thoughts and will support their security forces. Afghanistan had been able to undertake a selfdefense against adversity destiny many years without having any system or central government. Now this point needs more explanation that the charge of affairs how much can develop the national thoughts and Afghan intention.


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THE UNION OF AIRLINE COMPANIES ESTABLISHEDThe Union of Airline Companies established while the private sector officials have praised the achievements of aviation sector than other private sectors. Ahmad Farid Paykar, one of the officials in aviation private sector who has selected as the head of Airline Companies Union said that this union established for coordination between the private airline companies and to present better services for domestic and international flights.The inauguration party of this union held in Wednesday 25th of Jan 2012 in Kabul with the participation of governmental officials, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Officials, some of the parliament members and Airline Companies Officials. The participants expressed that this union will facilitate flight services for the passengers. Dauod Ali Najafi, Care Taker of Transport and Aviation Ministry talked in the opening ceremony and said to the reporters: if the Airline Companies do their activities with a healthy competition, they will improve and will be able to reach the International Aviation standards for presenting their services. Because of this establishing this union is a necessity and can help the companies. He also added: we were waiting for a long time for establishment of a specific Union for coordination between the Airline Companies, so that the officials contact easily in specific conditions with the Companies who play an important role in services. Fortunately the primary steps have picked up and we hope a regular coordination between these companies from now. Ministry of Transport and Aviation is responsible not only for supporting these companies but for presenting flight facilitation for all Afghans Said Ali Najafi added. According to Care taker of Transport and Aviation Ministry; they spent five percent of Aviation revenue for training and equipment of the companies, negotiated with NATO officials for Cargo flights which 2700 flights was done for carrying NATO and ISAF Items and also46 In-flight Magazine

limiting the unlimited flights were the activities they have done in the Ministry. He also noted that no discussion has been done so far about the open space flights and it must be mentioned that the ministry will not agree with unlimited and open flights with any country. Mr. Najafi said that so far the competition between transport companies caused harm for the companies so these companies should end the unhealthy competition and provide better services. Mohammad Qurban Haqju, CEO of Chamber of Commerce and Industry who was speaking at the inauguration party said: Transport sector is one of the economic sectors which had great role in Economic growth during the past years. He also noted that the aim of creating Airline Union is raising the level of air services, improving services supply and increasing quality levels of services, price reduction in companies and also being accountability of the companies in the market. Chambers of Commerce and Industry CEO said that despite all the challenges like insecurity in some parts of the country, the low capacity of airports and also problems in standardization of airline services and the high rate of tax and Interest, the services and activities of the airline companies were more impressive than other private companies in private sector. According to Mr. Qurban Haqju; as the supporter of the private sector, entering the foreign airlines to the trans-

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port sector is effective so that the domestic companies reach to the international standards with healthy competition. Ahmad Farid Paykar, the Union Airline Companies head said that in addition of trying to coordinate the companies they will also work for solving the problems and challenges which the Airlines face with and will defend from the Airlines rights. He expressed that the Union is established for coordinating between the companies for better competition, presenting better services for the people, better relationships with Afghanistan Transport Ministry and all the national and international organizations, solving the problems and to defend the rights of Airline Companies. At the present, five Airline companies are active in Afghanistan, three for the passengers trips and two for transporting goods and other materials. Follow the Ariana Airline, the first private company established in 2004 in Afghanistan and the number of the private companies increased in the past years. The Head of Airline Companies Union said that he hopes this Union be able to solve the problems of Airlines not only in Afghanistan but make better relationships with international Companies too, so the Afghan Airlines fly to more countries and extend their activities. According to the researches of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, Safi Airways is at the top of the Airlines with most services and facilitation. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry also expressed their concerns with the probable decision of government for the open air transportation for the foreign Airlines. Qurban Haqju said to Safi Magazine: The Afghan government recently decided to increase the foreign Airline flights irregularly while the government is obligated by law to support and protect the domestic pri-

vate sector, but if such decisions taken the Private Airline Companies do not have the ability to compete with foreign airlines. He asserted that due to limited air services in Afghanistan market and lack of availability of suitable conditions for the domestic private companies, these companies will be bankrupt. This is in while that the foreign Airline Companies have the full support of their governments, but the domestic Airline Companies in Afghanistan have many problems such as high taxes. Meanwhile, the domestic airline companies officials say: If the Afghan government gives permission for the foreign Airlines to enter Afghanistan, the local companies cannot compete with them and they will be bankrupt soon. According to some airline officials the government never supported them and beside that they have to pay high taxes. According to information provided by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the government receive nearly 25 million dollars taxes annually from the private airlines but these companies have only 101 flights in a week internally and externally.


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Afghanistan rare Soils worth Billions of dollarsThe geological researches has shown that there are rare soil mines in southern provinces especially Helmand which measured about one billion tons. The researches which has been done by United State and Afghanistan scientists shows that these mines worth milliard dollars. According to the researches the most precious metal sediments has been discovered in Helmand province which is located at the south of country. According to the reports, these mines include one million ton of rare soil which their price is beyond imagination, and if these probable amount of the mines. The rare soil is consisting seventeen elements which can be used in Industries and advanced technology. These metals can be used to make Laser rays, cell phones and laptop computers screens. Also they can be used in green industries, the petroleum and battery cars, solar power boards and electronic materials and equipment. Preliminary researches shows that the rare soils in Helmand province indicate; Lanthanum, Geranium, and other precious minerals. Prior to this the mineral mines which was identified by Cartography department of geological institution of United States of America and Ministry of Mines estimated about 3000 billion dollars. Ainak Mine, which is the biggest copper mine in Afghanistan contracted with China last year. It is said that the extracted copper from these mines has excellent quality. Afghan officials have repeatedly pointed out that in the future they would be able to provide Afghanistans expenses from the mines revenues. In December 2001 US government promised to help Afghan government in mining, in order to reach economic selfsufficiency. Marc Grossman, United States of America special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan promised Afghanistan president that United States will assist Afghanistan in mining. Afghanistan Ministry of Mines officials say that their researches and studies shows lot of big mineral mines such as lapis, emerald, copper and precious stones in northern provinces and worth millions of dollars. The Afghanistan Ministry of Mines also started many plans to get the correct information about the high potential of natural resources from which creating the first Business Plan in the field of mining can be named. This Business Plan is considered as a good package for the reform and restructuring of the Ministry and allows the Ministry to full-scale with the world industry changes. According to reports, the mineral resources must be extracted to reach the development, after identifying these resources the

mines being used, Afghanistan will become self-sufficient in economic and even will be able to help the neighboring countries too. It is worth mentioning that these materials were measured and discovered via satellite at the first time, after that a team of researchers visited the volcanic areas in southern Afghanistan by helicopter and confirmed the48 In-flight Magazine

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exploration, exploitation and development of mineral resources and Hydro Carbon resources will be more interested. Such a development will play an important role in long-term stability of economic and social situation. Thus, the Afghan Ministry of Mines has plans for development of these natural resources which by implementation of these plans the professional extraction way of minerals will be provided. Afghan Ministry of Mines is considering applying policies, regulations and worldwide procedures in attracting private investments for exploitation of mineral and Hydro Carbon resources. Principles and policies which Afghan Ministry of Mines and Minerals follows in exploitation of minerals and Hydro Carbon are based on market solutions and law, also creating higher capacity at the head of their office, development transparent investment through laws and policies to create a modern regime are the visions of Ministry. Currently Badakhshans lazuli mines, coal mines in Herat, Takhar coal mines, PulKhumris coal mines, Panjshirs emerald mines, Ainak copper in Lugar province, Shabarghans gas reserves and Salt mines in Takhar are being extracted. The government earns millions of Afghanis from this way every year. Panjshirs emerald

mines produce the worlds rarest emerald which has world reputation and every gram worth five hundred dollars. Although in the war years illegal armed groups and non-responsible people extracted these mines but now all the mines are under the control of the government and their materials are being extracted in professional and standards ways. Afghan president Hamed Karzai said at a press conference that if the mines being extracted properly and professionally, Afghan people will live in comfort and they no longer will need to ask for help form the world countries. But the extraction and exploitation of these mines needs peace and stability and also the peoples support. Currently Afghanistan Ministry of Mines plans are reconstruction, exploitation and setting up friendly investments, oversight of the Ainak copper project, bidding of Haji gaks iron mine contract, exploration of existing Hydro Carbon areas and finding more coal, gold, silver, copper and iron mines. The next plans of this Ministry are privatization of the Hydro Carbonic and mineral government owned enterprises and also restructuring the Afghanistan geological services for attracting foreign companies for the exploitation of the Hydro Carbonic areas. Invite

all the world investors with these plans to participate in extraction of Hydro Carbon mines to reach the economic growth and dont have employment problems. Based on reports, most of the worlds countries are interested to extract Afghanistan mines and invest in Afghanistan in this way. Based on some surveys, the revenues of only one or two important mines can pay all the expenses of building many water dams for providing Afghanistans electricity and also asphalting the cyclic roads of Afghanistan. Extraction of the mines has created lot of revenues for the government in addition it has provided jobs for hundreds of Afghans. At the present time hundreds of Afghans are working in Ainak copper mine in Lugar and other mines of the country.


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Safi Airways in-Flight Magazine Jan-Feb 2012

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