I Am Here to Testify against Tragedy of Afghan

``We are under double torture by the Taliban and the U.S. air strikes.``

An Afghan athlete who are participating in the Islam Women Athletic Competition in Teheran, Iran, from Sep. 24, cried out at her interview with AFP, ``Both Taliban and the U.S. are killing the innocent people including women and children.``

The Islam Women Athletic Competition has held three times now to increase the social status of the Islam women. The Competition is open to any Muslim women in the world and the athletics from 27 countries have participated in this year.

The Afghan team composed of 48 members in Tae Kwon Do, Athletics, Volley ball, etc., could participate in the competition under the auspice of the Northern Alliance. Taliban does not allow women`s movement. The team leader remarked that they have participated in the competition to testify the tragic situation of the people under the regime of Taliban and to increase the social status of Afghan women. The host of the Athletic Competition turned off the light during the opening ceremony to pray for the Afghan people. And some players from other countries deeply impressed Afghan participants, by wearing black clothes and carrying candle lights when they were entering the stadium.

orionha@donga.com