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| Poet and Author: Ahmad Mahmood Imperator |
Dear compatriots, esteemed thinkers, and loyal lovers of this ancient land,
With greetings from the depths of our history and love that reaches the skies, I speak from the heart in the hope that these words may resonate with yours.
Without a doubt, we are all aware of the bitter and painful ups and downs our homeland has endured—and continues to endure. There have been few fleeting rises, but many deep and exhausting descents that have wounded not only the body of our society but also the soul and spirit of our people.
In the heart of these difficult times, many of us—whether compelled by circumstance or by a painful, conscious decision—were forced to leave our homes, our land, and our memories. We tore ourselves from our beloved soil and set out toward lands that, in our minds, promised peace, safety, and a brighter horizon.
Alas, reality proved otherwise. The path was filled with grueling climbs and soul-crushing hardships.
Many of our oppressed and suffering compatriots never reached their intended destination.
Some remained at the borders—trapped between staying and going, between hope and despair—waiting in deserts and camps with longing eyes and empty hands.
Others, after enduring the harsh journey of exile, returned to their homeland—tired, wounded, disheartened, and at times, forgotten.
This sorrowful story, tragically, continues to this day—often more intensely than before—and its victims are not only men and women, but also children and youth who dream of a brighter future.
Today, my words are addressed to those who rode the stormy waves and now reside in safer lands—in Europe, America, Canada, Australia, and other developed countries—having reached relative stability through pain, patience, effort, and sacrifice.
This message is for you—the unwilling messengers of pain and hope—who now carry the legacy of opportunities that thousands have been deprived of.
I hope that what you have endured—separation, the wounds of distance, the pain of migration, and the bitterness of discrimination—has not just left a scar on your soul, but has lit a fire within you; a torch for deeper reflection, for greater awareness, for purifying the soul from hatred, prejudice, and nostalgia.
Let this experience not be a forgetting of the homeland, but a renewed definition of your connection to it.
Dear compatriots,
Our turbulent history is full of tales of migration and sorrow, exile and oppression, war and injustice.
But if we look more closely, we realize that much of this pain has been born from ignorance, fanaticism, lack of dialogue and tolerance, self-centeredness, and the denial of humanity in the other.
The advanced world you live in today is built upon understanding, justice, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity.
You are not just observers of this system—you are now a part of it.
A great responsibility now rests on your shoulders: the duty to be human, to be aware, and to represent a generation that is still on its way.
First, let us make peace with ourselves.
Let us accept ourselves, love ourselves, and believe in the worth of our existence.
This is the first step in breaking the chains of prejudice and pain.
Without inner peace, no external peace can ever be achieved.
Then, let us make the most of the opportunities available to us.
In any field you are capable or passionate about—learn, grow, think, and contribute meaningfully and creatively to the society that has welcomed you.
Because in the not-so-distant future, you can become a powerful force for the growth and flourishing of your motherland.
Returning does not merely mean physical presence—every thought, every innovation, every meaningful effort for awareness and progress is a noble and valuable return.
But if you remain trapped in outdated thoughts, narrow beliefs, and old grievances, not only will you fall behind the path of progress, but you will also be marginalized in your host societies.
Migration is not just the crossing of borders—it is a transformation in thought, in culture, in lifestyle, and in worldview.
Wise compatriots,
Know that leaving the homeland was not merely an escape from danger—it laid a heavier responsibility upon you: a human, ethical, and cultural duty.
The eyes of our suffering nation are upon you today; upon you who have risen from hardship, upon you who can be messengers of peace, love, awareness, and humanity.
Perhaps one day, with enlightened minds full of knowledge and experience and hearts brimming with love, you will return to your homeland and contribute to its prosperity.
With the sincerest respect, affection, and humility,
Author: Ahmad Mahmood Imperator
Translated by: Sara Aileen
Spring 1404 Solar Hijri
