Thursday in the Octave of the Assumption
WORLD
HUMANITARIAN DAY
1 Maccabees, Chapter 7, Verse 30
Have
you ever had someone you trusted betray you? We all have. In Maccabees 2 it is
explained that Nicanor and Judas become friends for a time. It seems Nicanor
might have come to Judea to work out a peace plan and it is rumored he even
persuades Judas to settle down and marry. Later the Hellenizing (progressive)
party forces Nicanor to betray Judas. Having been warned Judas avoids further
contact with Nicanor. Why was Judas afraid? He was a man of courage perhaps he
now saw that he may have to take the life of a friend. Is there any greater
fear? Nicanor eventually attacks Judas and indeed dies in the ensuing battle.[1]
World Humanitarian Day[2]
World
Humanitarian Day seeks to recognize the compassion and bravery of humanitarian
workers. The day also serves to gain international cooperation to meet the
needs of humanitarian work around the world. Humanitarian workers provide
life-saving assistance consisting of first aid, nutrition, shelter and help
rebuild after disaster has struck. These workers often battle violence, local
diseases and hunger while attempting to save lives and provide relief to those
most in need. World Humanitarian Day was designated by the United Nations in
December of 2008 in an effort to honor the sacrifices of humanitarian workers.
It is celebrated annually on August 19, a day that commemorates the 2003
bombing of the UN Headquarters in Iraq.
Afghanistan
Independence Day[3]
As Afghanistan celebrates its Independence Day (August 18), amid uncertainty over the start of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government
Afghanistan Before Taliban
Before the arrival of the Taliban, Afghanistan was no
less than any European country. But that old-time has become just a dream
for today’s people. And the picture ahead is even darker.
Today the whole world is looking at Afghanistan with
pity. Almost every woman in the world is expressing concern about those
Afghan women who had just started spreading their wings to fly. The
Taliban, which was ousted from power in 2001 by NATO forces under the
leadership of America, now after 20 years, once again a large part of the
country has come under its control. And the Taliban have started
enforcing cruel laws in the areas they occupied. In which a deep burden
of restrictions has been imposed on women. They have asked to submit the
list of girls above 15 years and widowed women below 45 years of age.
Afghanistan
Crisis:
Taliban occupied the whole of Afghanistan, President
and Vice President fled the country. Taliban militants entered the outskirts of
the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday. Amid intermittent firing in Kabul, a
Taliban spokesman said they await a peaceful transfer of power.
Meanwhile, there is news that the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani,
and the Vice President have had to leave the country. The Taliban said,
“No one’s life, property, honor will be harmed and the lives of the citizens of
Kabul will not be in danger.” Apart from Kabul, Jalalabad was the only major
city that survived Taliban occupation. It is situated near a major border
with Pakistan.
Taliban
put forward agenda to form the government
After capturing Afghanistan, the Taliban has now
started setting the agenda of their government. A Taliban official has
announced that they have decided to offer a common apology to all civilians. It
has been said by the Taliban that it will also include women in its government,
as well as it does not want women to become victims of any kind of violence.
However, the Taliban has not yet opened the cards on
how and under what formula the new Taliban government will be formed in
Afghanistan. The Taliban says that our leadership will be completely Islamic,
and all sections will get a place.
Crisis
on the future of women and children
This statement has been given by the Taliban at a time
when many types of concerns are being raised about the future of women and
children in Afghanistan. With the advent of Taliban rule in Afghanistan,
many changes are taking place in different parts of the country.
On the walls or on the hoarding boards where there are
pictures of women, people themselves are applying color to them. Because
according to the rules of the Taliban, it is necessary for women to wear the
hijab. A few days ago, the Taliban had indicated that Sharia law would
apply in Afghanistan.
Afghan women first got the freedom to vote in
1919. That is, a year after women were given the right to vote in
Britain. And a year ago women were allowed to vote in the United States.
The purdah system was abolished in the 1960s. Also, a new constitution
brought equality in many areas of life including political participation.
But during the coups in the 1970s and the Soviet occupation, conflict broke out
between Mujahideen groups and government forces in the 80s and 90s. Then
Taliban terror set in and women’s rights were swiftly taken away from women in
Afghanistan (Afghanistan Women’s Rights Before Taliban). The Taliban even
ended human rights for women. Discrimination started with them
everywhere. Being born as a girl here became the biggest crime.
The Taliban implemented Islamic Sharia law and
introduced new rules for women and girls (Afghanistan Before and After
Taliban). For example, there was a ban on going to school and studying, a
ban on working, a ban on leaving the house without a male partner, a ban on
showing any part of the body in public places, and a ban on getting treatment
from a male doctor. Women were forbidden to work, so it became impossible
for women to get healthcare. Women could neither engage in politics nor speak
in public. In the last 20 years after the elimination of the Taliban,
women had made their mark in politics by increasing numbers, but now they are
once again forced to go back to those old dark days (Taliban Control of
Afghanistan). The Taliban has completely established control over the
northern and southern parts.
Daily Devotions
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
Litany
of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Cultivate intelligent foresight
in yourself
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
"Faith cannot
save without virtue"
·
Rosary
[1]The Collegeville Bible Commentary,
1986.
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