Latif Pedram

Abdul Latīf Pedrām (PerB|عبداللطيف پدرام; born in 1963) is a politician and a former candidate for presidency in Afghanistan where he received the 5th most votes during the 2004 elections [ [http://www.azadiradio.org/en/specials/elections/background-intro.asp [ Afghan Elections 2004-2005 ] ] [ [http://www.thebtr.com/pages/countryfactfiles/afghanistanfactfile.htm Afghanistan - Country Fact File ] ] or 1.2% of the total ballots counted. [ [http://www.azadiradio.org/en/specials/elections/background-intro.asp [ Afghan Elections 2004-2005 ] ] [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/international/asia/24cnd-afgh.html The New York Times > International > Asia Pacific > Karzai Secures Victory in Afghan Election ] ] He emerged as a controversial figure [ [http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/afghanistan/04.html FRONTLINE/WORLD Fellows . AFGHANISTAN - Without Warlords . A Secular Politician | PBS ] ] in the press and political circles for campaigning for women's personal rights, a taboo subject in Afghanistan's culture. Currently, he is the leader of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan.

Born in Badakhshan in 1963 to a Shia Ismaili Tajik family, Latīf Pedrām is a writer, poet, journalist, and professor of Persian literature. He was director of the library of the "Hakīm Nāṣer Ḫoṣrow Balḫī Cultural Center". First a supporter of the communist government, he soon began to openly criticize and oppose the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. He stayed in Afghanistan during most of the war years, moving around the country to be able to pursue his activities. Latīf Pedrām was finally forced into exile by the advance of the Taliban and their policies of ethnic and linguistic segregation. Before returning to Afghanistan after the demise of the Taliban, he lived for a while in France where he attempted to promote Afghanistan's Persian poetry and literature.

Controversies

Latīf Pedrām is a strong supporter of federalism and secularism in Afghanistan. He strongly opposes both Islamic fundamentalism and the American military occupation of Afghanistan.

Perhaps his most controversial statement is the demand for a name-change in Afghanistan. In many publications and articles, he proposed the change of the name "Afghanistan" to "Khorasan", the medieval name of the region, in order to settle some inter-ethnic feuds. His statement is based on the fact that the current name of the country is synonymous with ""Land of Pashtuns"". The Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, comprising ca. 40% of the total population.

Awards

Dr. Latīf Pedrām has received many international awards, including:

* The "Prix Hellman-Helmet" ("Hellman-Helmet Prize") by Human Rights Watch in July 1999
* A special grant from Reporters sans Frontières in December 1998He is also an honorary member of:

* The "International Parliament of Writers" and a guest of the city of Suresnes in France
* The "Association of the Persian speakers of the World" ("Peyvand") and member of the board of editors of "Peyvand journal"

Quotes

External links

* [http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5614&artpage=2-2 Democracy in Danger: Latif Pedram placed under under house arrest]
* [http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/afghanistan/04.html PBS Frontline: World: Afghanistan Without Warlords, a Secular Politician]
* [http://www.azadiradio.org/en/specials/elections/candidates-pedram.asp LibertyRadio.org Biography]
* [http://www.humaniteinenglish.com/article480.html An interview with l'Humanité (in English, January 1, 2007)]
* [http://iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=152889&apc_state=heniarr2004 Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Abdul Latif Pedram: Intellectual Adds Controversy to Campaign]
* [http://mouv.national.afghan.free.fr/english_homepage.htm National Congress Party of Afghanistan Website]

References