Afghan Turks in the United States: We Stand with America in Grief and Security.
The community of Afghan Turks in the United States has issued a statement strongly condemning the recent terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., describing the incident as “an assault on human values and the security of the American people.”
The statement reads: “We consider this attack a violation of the peace and safety of American citizens, and we express our sympathy to the families of the victims and to the National Guard personnel who were injured in the incident.”
Referring to their own experience of displacement caused by terrorism in Afghanistan, the community said:
“Our community is among those who were directly harmed by terrorism in our homeland and were forced to leave due to violence, threats, and instability. We are grateful for the generous and humane welcome extended to us by the people of the United States, and we hold deep respect for the democratic values of this country.”
The statement adds: “It is deeply regrettable that the same extremist forces who drove us from our homeland are now trying to undermine the peace and security of our community and the American people. We regard such inhumane acts as contrary to all moral, religious, and human principles, and we condemn terrorism in every form and under any pretext.”
The Afghan Turk community also called on the U.S. government to “clearly distinguish between terrorists and peaceful refugees, between perpetrators and victims, and between the enemies of humanity and those who seek peace and a life of dignity.”
They emphasized that Afghan Turks consider themselves an inseparable part of American society, sharing in its joys, standing with it in times of sorrow, and remaining firmly committed to defending democracy, the rule of law, and freedom alongside the American people.
This comes after an Afghan national, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, attacked National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C., injuring two. One of the injured later died in hospital the following day.
