On the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan called on citizens to honor his legacy through unity and solidarity.
In a statement issued Monday, the council urged “all freedom-seeking forces, intellectuals, youth, and women of the country to carry forward the path of the National Hero, Martyr Ahmad Shah Massoud, with unity and solidarity, and not let the noble blood of martyrs and their high ideals be forgotten.”
Describing Massoud as more than just a military commander, the council portrayed him as a “deep thinker and politically astute leader” committed to social justice, equitable peace, Islamic and human values, and national unity.
The statement emphasized Massoud’s resistance in the 1990s against the Taliban as a defense not only of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and national identity, but also of liberty, dignity, and justice.
According to the council, Massoud believed that Afghanistan could only achieve stability and development when all ethnic and social groups coexist in an atmosphere of trust, equality, and mutual respect.
It also noted that Massoud envisioned no future for Afghanistan without the active, dignified, and conscious participation of women in all social, political, and cultural spheres.
Many members of the National Resistance Council are close allies or relatives of Massoud. The council highlighted his efforts to transform Afghanistan’s resistance into a broader movement against extremism and global terrorism by building constructive relations with international allies and institutions.
The statement also honored Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was described as having played a “foundational role” in guiding the struggles of the Afghan people.
Paying tribute to the fallen from the anti-Soviet jihad, the republic era, and the ongoing resistance against the Taliban’s second rule, the council said, “The memory of these martyrs will illuminate the path of resistance, freedom, and justice for generations to come.”
The statement concluded by calling on the current and future generations to carry the “mission” of Massoud and his companions forward, striving for social justice, a people-centered political system, protection of citizens’ rights—especially for women and youth—and genuine independence and freedom for Afghanistan.
