“All forms of violence and glorification of war should be highly condemnable”

Below I’ll be sharing my thoughts and views on the recent conflict and intensity of fighting in the past few months between Russia and Ukraine.

War is never an answer

I firmly stand by the view that military action, violence and war crimes are never the answer to resolving conflict. History has always taught us that nothing good has ever come from fighting except death, destruction, famine and broken egos. Precious life is lost, families lose loved one’s and it takes nation’s years to rebuild their economies, boost public moral and rebuild its cities’ infrastructures.

Personally, whenever I’m ever asked whose side I’m on between Russia and Ukraine, my answer to them is simple – I’m on the side of all the people that have become innocent victims of this war. I stand with those that have lost their homes, with those that have lost their loved ones in this conflict, and with those who do not wish to be part of this unwarranted and unjustifiable war.

I’m completely anti-war and have been very vocal on my stance about this for a very long time. I grew up during the first Gulf War and as a young adolescent child, I knew and recognised even at that time that this was not right, no matter what explanation was given for it by our governments and its allies.

Peaceful activism

I’ve stood on the front line with people in many different cities and countries across the world demonstrating and advocating for peace and an end to all forms of war and foreign-occupied military action like, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Palestine.

The cost of life is something that can never be recovered and over the years through the Khawaja Foundation, we’ve tried to emphasise this by spreading the message of peace and tolerance for all.

Zeshan attending a peaceful BLM demonstration in Spain with baby Amna, 2020 I Image from the Khawaja Foundation

I’ve seen with my own eyes the devastation and destruction caused by an unprovoked foreign invasion on a country when they leave. During my visits to Pakistan- the birthplace of my parents, I’ve seen the terrible after effects of war and drone attacks. Pakistan lost over 70,000 lives in America’s war on terror. The results are in front of us today with little to celebrate after 20 years of fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. America has had to walk away with little achieved but a bruised ego to show for all its efforts.

No matter what twist or name you give to a war, it always remains controversial, unnecessary and unacceptable.