welcome ajmal

is yer man still in Afghanistan? our fixer is not working out so well and we need a good one here in Kabul. if anyone else has a good contact, let me know!

thanks!

We send our condolences, sympathy and prayers for Ajmal to his family, friends, LS colleagues and the independent journalists of Afghanistan.

Ajmal will be a significant life greatly missed not just to the Afghan people but to his friends from LS and from around the globe.

I’m very sorry for your loss, Teru. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Gayle

I’ve lost my words. But as Gary said, each of us who we use them must have to take the responsibility.

Rest in peace Ajmal…You’ll always remain in our heart…

I’m so sorry it came to this for Ajmal his family and friends.

Hana wa né ni kaeru.

(The flower returns to its root)

my deep and heart-wrung condolescence for Ajmal’s family and friends….our family’s heart is with Ajmal’s family and friends….

Perhaps we can send this post along to Ajmal’s family for the same reason, along with the donations to help his family (father, new widow, brother, etc.)?

Let me know if you need this post and some from the Letter to Ajmal posts compiled into a Word document. Let me know if that is appropriate to present the family.

I will start to compile that right now, then, and email it to you before I hear when the Bubbles Lounge (now Memorial?) meeting is in NYC this week.

Thanks, Gayle

A Friend And Colleague Remembers Ajmal Naqshbandi

April 16, 2007
by Teru Kuwayama

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I didn’t know Ajmal personally. Primarily only knew what I had read or heard Teru say about him in that short amount of time here when everyone tried to save him through our organized letters of support.

Also, I’ve only known and worked with Teru off and on throughout the last year at LS, but even so, I can tell from his images, his LS posts and the contributions he makes to independent photography, journalism, and humanitarian aid through November Eleven and LS , that obviously both Teru and Shinji are sincere individuals who have very unique gifts.

I personally am reminded that even though we lost someone as remarkable and priceless as Ajmal, so violently, and for the most sick and self-serving purposes, together in combination with the callous, corrupt reasoning of those who had, at least an opportunity to secure his freedom from these serial murderers, still we have accomplished something here for Ajmal. In Ajmal’s memory, we should never regret stopping our personal lives for a short moment to become professionally involved with helping someone who is just as highly regarded as a friend, as they are a colleague.

I do think, and with little hesitation, that I benefited the most from Teru’s article than I have from any other regarding Ajmal’s circumstances. It rings with clarity and also a feeling of truth. The article is not only a sincere reference to the talents, skills and personal sacrifice that, in his short life, Ajmal was able to give to the good people of Afghanistan and the profession of independent journalism, but also, I can read it as a tribute, if we are to survive, to the concept of valuing and supporting family, friends and colleagues in whatever community we live in or have the opportunity to contribute to.

I believe, also, that the article may serve to draw the reader closer in memory and heart to any person, friend or colleague, who were highly valued, but for whatever reason had to leave us behind for the spirit world.

So, when you read this wonderful article that Teru wrote for Ajmal you will, no doubt, understand as I did, why Teru’s friend soon became our friend. And that those same unique qualities that caused Teru to place Ajmal’s friendship in such high regard, also rewarded Ajmal many times over with the multitude of concerned friends and colleagues that came from every corner of the world, and among them we were with him when he needed us most.

Ajmal, you are not forgotten. Your bright spirit, resourcefulness and integrity will not just be an inspiration during the darkest and brightest days of those that knew you, but now you are also a journalist and guide to a vital and vast growing ocean of new colleagues and friends that your strong heart and memory is still creating.

You Are Not Forgotten

Gayle Hegland

Your remembrance is a beautifully eloquent and moving testimony to Ajmal and to his spirit. If indeed we are measured by the light of our friendships then your acts continue to highlight for me how luminous and special Ajmal was.

Thank you very much for sharing with us your words, light in themselves.

Bob

Jenny

You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold

So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold

Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in the fields of gold

See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I’ve broken
But I swear in the days still left
We’ll walk in the fields of gold <sub>Sting</sub>

Ajmal, we remember you

http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/demands_unmet_the_taliban_take.php