Dependence and love for one’s hometown are instinctive among all humans. This has been true since early history, when people have fought for their land and homeland, and will continue to be so in the future. The emotional factor is the most important reason why a person considers their hometown and motherland important. Man is a loving being, and they start to acquire this love from their divine mother (homeland) when they are born. They grow up in the arms of their mother and experience the best, happiest, and most memorable moments of their life, and so keep this feeling towards their homeland and hometown in their heart. This, however, does not apply to the people of Afghanistan recently, as critics believe that the citizens of Afghanistan are not as loyal to their land and homeland as other nations of the world. The reasons behind this phenomenon require scientific and fundamental research, which is beyond the scope of this article. Nevertheless, we have attempted to provide a brief explanation based on field studies and examination of different views.
Double-Sided Betrayal
The critics have highlighted the fact that the people of Afghanistan are largely apathetic towards their homeland and hometown. At the same time, they consider themselves to be in the right. This dual disloyalty is a complex relationship between Afghanistan and its citizens, with many contributing factors. Here, we have discussed the most significant of these.
Citizens’ Perspectives on their Home Country
a) Limited Economic Resource
The age of globalization has made the world seem like a small village in the eyes of many. As a result, governments and individuals alike are attempting to capitalize on the opportunities presented by globalization. One of the most obvious indicators of this is the economic sector, which people are striving to improve regardless of social, cultural, or political events. Throughout history, people have migrated in order to improve their living conditions.
Afghanistan is known to possess a wealth of natural resources, yet this has not been enough to alleviate the suffering of its people. These resources are not seen as viable investments and are not welcomed. In most cases, the extraction of Afghanistan’s natural resources has not improved the lives of its citizens, and the ruling groups and investors have not distinguished between citizens and foreign businessmen when exploiting these resources, contrary to the usual practice.
Other resources and investments in Afghanistan have not seen an increase and have not provided people with a more secure future. Afghanistan’s landlocked geography has resulted in a lack of large investments, its natural resources are being depleted, the majority of its population is impoverished, and the governments that govern the country are all oppressive and weak. All of these factors lead citizens to the conclusion that economically, Afghanistan is not a promising place to live. Furthermore, there is no indication that the situation will improve. As a result, leaving the country is the most desirable option for many.
b) War and Absence of a Stable Government
Another major factor that has caused people to leave their land is the decades of war that have plagued the region. According to some, this country is an untamed geography, with its history written in war and bloodshed, and no prospect of peace and tranquility. Some citizens feel that their homeland is cursed, as it has not provided them with the emotional and happiness rights they deserve.
c) Failure to Maintain Family Structure
The citizens of a country are akin to a family living together, sometimes hosting guests and sometimes becoming guests themselves. Unfortunately, Afghanistan has often been host to unwelcome guests, and its citizens have also been unwelcome guests elsewhere. The citizens of a country typically unite as one nation and consider themselves part of one family, yet this is something that Afghan citizens have not experienced. It appears that hypocrisy and inconsistency are part of this family, and the citizens have resigned themselves to the situation in despair, as if it is the nature of the region.
Afghanistan’s Perception of its People
a) Lack of Patriotism
Despite their sense of patriotism, Afghans have not been true to their homeland in recent history. When faced with difficulty, army officers have abandoned their country, politicians have betrayed it, intellectuals have gone astray, and traders, students, and scholars have migrated. The homeland has been left alone to face the harshness of nature and its lurking creatures. Now, the lack of patriotism among Afghans is a common topic of conversation. Some even mock the Afghans and their country. It is essential to remember that the motherland is a mother, and loving her should be our priority.
b) People‘s Pursuit of Profit for Themselves Only
Afghan citizens lack an understanding of how to prioritize national interests. They are in conflict with anything that has a national scope. This has caused the loss of the homeland, as members of this family have not been willing to make any compromises to save it. The citizens of this region have consistently prioritized their own personal interests over national and public interests. They have sold the welfare of this land for a small price in order to benefit themselves. A non–national phenomenon cannot be nationalized through coercion and reluctance. To nationalize a phenomenon, it must be a national phenomenon, and the members must respect it and then work to support it.
c) People Do Not Protect the Country
The citizens of Afghanistan have endured many struggles and endured numerous hardships. It is essential to learn from these conflicts, which the people of Afghanistan either did not or were unwilling to do. The citizens of this land are still struggling with hardships, tribulations, and sorrow. It appears as though they are allowing themselves and their country to go through such a phenomenon. The purpose of this country is to learn from the past and serve the country.
Anyone born in this country has the duty to protect it from any illegitimate activity, regardless of their ethnicity, social class, language, or religion, as all illegitimate occurrences must be legitimized or eradicated.
