Professor Abdullah Atifi, a renowned Afghan historian, writer, and former Deputy Minister of Information and Culture of Afghanistan, was once again remembered with respect by Afghan writers and cultural activists five years after his assassination.
Afghan writer and civil activist Dawood Arin wrote on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Atifi’s death that Professor Atifi had dedicated his life to serving knowledge, history, and culture, and that he maintained a deep passion for books and learning until his final moments.
According to information provided by Arin, Abdullah Atifi was born approximately seventy years ago in a village in Chora District of Uruzgan Province. He completed his bachelor’s degree in economics in Ukraine and also obtained two master’s degrees in the fields of electrical infrastructure and business management.
Following the collapse of Dr. Najibullah’s government, he spent several years outside Afghanistan but returned to his homeland in 2001. After his return, Atifi began educational, agricultural, and youth development activities in his village. He also established an educational institute and a personal library to promote learning and education.
According to Dawood Arin, Professor Atifi left behind a three-volume historical work titled “Sultans of the East, Ancient Pashtun Hebrews” as well as numerous literary writings, which are considered significant contributions to Afghanistan’s history and cultural heritage.
Arin also recalled the day of Atifi’s killing, writing that when armed men entered Professor Atifi’s home five years ago, his final words were: “I will go with you, but do not touch my books.” According to him, Atifi was later killed in front of his house.
It is worth noting that Abdullah Atifi was killed on August 4, 2021, at his home in Chora District of Uruzgan Province. At the time, local Uruzgan officials blamed the Taliban for the incident, but the Taliban denied the allegation.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
