::::::::
The village of Khar, the home of OEN contributor and friend, Muhammad Khurshid, came under attack this weekend with gunfire and aerial strikes which reportedly, has destroyed dozens of homes and killed over 100 people.
I have become close friends with Muhammad and his family over the last year and a half. A week ago, during our last email correspondence, he read through and gave approval to the article I posted about his life being in jeopardy and how he feared for the safety of his wife, Fatima, and their four children. As always, he was grateful to OEN.
In the last week I have not heard from Muhammad. On Saturday, August 2, he told me he was leaving Peshawar to travel back to Khar to join his family for the funeral of his 25 year old niece. He said he would be gone for a couple of days. In the time I’ve known Muhammad, rarely has a full week gone by without email correspondence.
Two days ago, concerned, I emailed Rob Kall to ask if he had heard from Muhammad. He had not. Just minutes ago, Rob sent me the link to the Truthout article about the fighting and deaths in Khar. I have sent Muhammad another email, one of many over the last week asking if he is well and safe. I have asked him to let me know as soon as possible if he and his family are okay. I realize that with the amount of destruction in the village, the bombings and armed Taliban who are now patrolling the area, even if he is unharmed, he may not be able to get out of Khar and travel back to Peshawar where he has access to the internet.
There have been different opinions and takes on Muhammad’s reporting over the last couple of years – but we never fully understood the seriousness or complications of a man struggling to care for his family, fearing for his own safety while reporting on topics that he was repeatedly warned against posting, and in one of the most dangerous regions of the world. He was scared and he was not afraid to admit that. It takes a brave man, I think, to be that honest.
I would hope that all of us could come together, and if there is such a thing as a collective energy – send our best wishes to Muhammad and his family for their well being and safety – and that they have been spared from the violence that has hit their village.
