KABUL (SW) – Findings by Salam Watandar indicate an overwhelming majority of social media users have hailed Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s latest message of facilitating the national cricket team on victory against Scotland in the ICC T20 cricket World Cup 2021.
Following the ouster of former President Ghani and the collapse of his government in August, forces of the the Taliban entered Kabul and the Islamic Emirate took control of Afghanistan. Now, more than two months after he fled, a number of citizens of the country still call him “Baba” or father of the nation.
Earlier this week, after the victory of the national cricket team against the Scottish national team in the first match of the T20 World Cup, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani posted a message on his Facebook page congratulating the people of Afghanistan on this victory.
A survey of Salamat Watandar from the views of the users of this social network who wrote at the foot of Ashraf Ghani’s message shows that more than half of the users welcomed Ghani’s congratulatory message.
Using words such as “Baba” and “Leader of the Hearts”, they wished Ashraf Ghani a return to the country, wishing him a lasting republic and staying in Afghanistan. “In your absence, there is no reason to celebrate, there is no one to call on the heroes to cheer them up,” one user wrote.
Meanwhile, a number of other users have reacted sharply to Ashraf Ghani’s message. Most of those who criticized him and wrote a negative comment at the end of the post were political analysts, civil activists or journalists.
They blamed Ashraf Ghani for the current situation in Afghanistan and said that his corruption and failed policies had turned the country into a hell for its citizens. These users have accused Ashraf Ghani of leading the nation to a vague and dark fate, and claimed they will never forget the history of this betrayal.
Sayed Baqir Mohseni, a political analyst, said that the people of Afghanistan expected Ashraf Ghani to manage the crisis in a timely manner and to stand by them to defend the country and fulfill its mission. He says the Afghan people did not like him during his rule and that his escape has made him even more hated.
Mohseni added: “Mr. Ghani, if he could do something, he should be ‘silent’ and not rub salt on the wounds of these people and withdraw from politics and from influencing the political situation in Afghanistan.”
Although some consider Ashraf Ghani’s comments on sports and other national issues to be his right as an Afghan, however, they emphasize that Ashraf Ghani may seek to create opportunities and space for communication with the people of Afghanistan and regain his lost popularity.
Sociologist Zia-ul-Haq Shams believes that politicians have a high ability to take advantage of situations that are emotional and judgmental for many people. According to him, Ashraf Ghani, who wants to maintain his former position among the people of Afghanistan, also takes advantage of such opportunities.
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