Ustad Sayed Yousuf Mirranay

Sayed Yousaf  Mirranay  a proud  and  prominent  member  of  the  Afghan  Mellat   party Afghanistan was born in 1 947  (1326 Hijra)  in  the  Khogiani  district  of   the  Nangarhar province at the foothills of the Spin Ghar Mountains. His father Haji Sayed Jalal belonged to a religious family of the Ahmad Khil village in Eastern Afghanistan.

Mirranay, after the completion of his studies in the Kaga Primary  School  went  to  Kabul and pursued his education in Ibn-I-Sina High School and finally graduated from the  Kabul Technical High School in the year 1965 (1344 Hijra). Soon after graduation  he  got  a  job with Ariana Afghan Airlines and started his work in the  Kandahar  International  Airport. Meanwhile, it was during 1965 that the Social Democratic Party  of  Afghanistan  (Afghan Mellat) was established and Yousaf Mirranay was among the first  to  join it.  This  was  a landmark in his life. Mirranay although very young started his political life by  fighting  for the realization of his party's ideals, which was the  creation  of  a  united,  prosperous  and democratic Afghanistan. His firm stands and his struggle for the   creation  of  a   just  and democratic   society  in  Afghanistan  brought  him  face  to    face  with    the  reactionary  and totalitarian regimes of the time in Afghanistan. Mirranay although loved by his people became an unwanted person for the government and therefore was  transferred  from  one department to   another as   he   himself   once  wrote,   " apart   from   the   Ministry   of   Foreign affairs, which was not meant to be for the people like me, I practically   served  in almost every Department of the Government".

Mirranay although being called the teacher by his friends   and    party   members   always considered himself a student and was very eager to learn more   by   studying  political and literary works and having friendly and academic discussions with   intelligentsia,   writers, professors and students. It was because of such a desire that he   joined   the   Institute   of Industrial Management and despite   all   personal   and   political  hurdles  created  by  he regime was able to successfully complete his studies.

Yousaf Mirranay is also known for his academic works. He was fluent in Pashto, Dari and English and has been the author of numerous books and articles on aspects of Nationalism and the history, literature and culture of the Afghans. From among many of his   academic works only two booklets entitled "Nation   and  Nationality"   and   "Culture"   has   been published.

Mirranay's     revolutionary     and   nationalistic   writings   were   based   on   a   through understanding of his society, his people and the Afghan culture.

In his personal life, Mirranay was a patient, cheerful and humble  person.   He   was   kind father and a sincere friend. He loved to help the needy and therefore took an active part in the welfare of his community.

Mirranay was patiently in love with his country and his people.  He  devoted  all   his   life   for the realization of his ideals, which were the creation of a   prosperous   and   developed Afghanistan. His legacy was to see the people of Afghanistan living in peace and  harmony under a democratic and politically stables government, based on the  principles   of   Islam and Afghan culture.

Mirranay strongly believed that lack of a truly democratic and strong central government in Afghanistan could jeopardize the independence and  sovereignty   of   the   country.   To achieve such a goal on the one hand he had to fight the reactionary and autocratic regimes of the time inside Afghanistan and externally  to  struggle   against   all   imperialistic   and colonial powers and their puppets that were planning for the destruction of his country, his people and their culture.

Mirranay even in his young age envisaged the  dangers  of   imported   ideologies   for   the country and warned about international conspiracies, which could one day   destroy   their country and their culture. He traveled to every province, every village and every mosque in his country and warned the people not to remain   indifferent   to   what   was   happening   in their country. His advice for the people   of   Afghanistan   was   to   bring up the Afghan children with the true spirit of Islam and the Afghan culture. Mirranay  was strongly of the opinion that creation of a united, strong and  prosperous   Afghanistan   is   possible only if people of all ethnic backgrounds in the country   are  given the opportunity of participating in the social, political and economic life of the Afghan society.

Mirranay like numerous other members of his party   and other supporters of nationalistic and democratic values in  Afghanistan   was   considered   a   threat  for  the   Communist. Government of Afghanistan   established   after   the   bloody   coup  of April 1978. He was imprisoned soon after the coup but was released after a short period.   In   August 1978 he was imprisoned for the second time, never to be seen again.

Mirranay lost his life in the Jehad of the Afghan people against a puppet  totalitarian   and atheist regime in Afghanistan. He stood firm against the foreign domination of his  beloved country by the Russian imperialists. Mirranay may not be among his friends and  admirers but his memories will remain alive with all   that   knew   him.   His   heroic   struggle   and sacrifice has been left behind as a lesson for the future generations of Afghan  people   and all those fighting for the sacred cause of liberty, freedom, social justice and human dignity.