Recognition of linguistic diversity in Afghanistan’s Constitution

On 4 January 2004 Afghanistan’s new Constitution
was adopted by a Loya Jirga (or grand assembly)
of 502 representatives from all parts of
Afghanistan. While the adoption itself is a significant
milestone achieved over the past two
years, certain aspects of the new Constitution are
particularly noteworthy. For example, in recognizing
the linguistic diversity in Afghanistan,
the Constitution takes a step that is unprecedented
in the history not only of Afghanistan, but
of the region as a whole.
Afghanistan has two major official languages,
Pashto and Dari, which we have proudly spoken
for centuries. The Constitution provides for the
equal application of these two languages as the
official medium of communication in all state organizations.
Many state institutions will need to
work to implement this, but some, including
my own Office, do this already. It is gratifying
to me as an Afghan, and as President, to be able
to switch between Dari and Pashto when speaking
publicly, as the occasion requires.
In addition to the two major official languages
the delegates to the Loya Jirga agreed
to give official status to all minority languages
in the areas where these languages are spoken.
This is an important step that has precedence,
I think, only in societies that are strong and
solid. It is a powerful indication that, even
though we are a society that has just emerged
from war and disorder, we have the courage and
broadmindedness to be inclusive and to recognize
diversity. It makes us proud that today
our Baluch, Nuristani, Pamiri, Pashai, Turkmen
and Uzbek fellow Afghans are enjoying the
right to use their own languages and to have
them recognized as official. I am confident that
this step will make Afghanistan a stronger nation,
prouder than before, and an exemplary nation
in the region.
Having taken the first step, Afghanistan
now needs to work to make the words of the
Constitution a reality. While we are confident
about the feasibility of making regional languages
official in their respective regions, it is indeed
not a small task to put the infrastructure
in place for this purpose. To teach people to read
and write in their mother tongue requires incorporating
the language into the school curriculum.
This will require changes in our
mainstream education system. We will need to
train more teachers and to print more books.
But above all, we need to proceed carefully
to ensure that making regional languages official
contributes to national integration, rather than
reinforcing the isolation of communities. In the 21st
century, people around the world are increasingly
searching for commonalities, including commonality
in language. Learning a local language should
not become a countercurrent. And it should not
reduce the quality of education for our children.
The Loya Jirga representatives ensured that
our new Constitution represents not only the
deep aspirations of the nation but also the diverse
preferences of the people of Afghanistan. Turning
their vision into reality may indeed be a challenge,
but it is a challenge we are confident that
we can meet. Recognizing our diversity, while affirming
our nationhood, will further solidify the
foundations of a democratic Afghanistan.
Hamid Karzai
President
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan
Recognition of linguistic diversity in Afghanistan’s Constitution