Matiullah turab biography of george michael
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Turab grew up in a small village of Nangarhar Province, poor even by Afghan standards. Later, he became a consistent critic of the Taliban. The country's most famous poets include Rabia Balkhi (10th century), Jalaluddin Rumi (13th century) and the former ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani (18th century), also considered a founding father of modern Afghanistan.
Most of the country’s poetry has been written in Farsi.
Originally from the Khogyani district of Nangarhar, he spent most of his years in Khost province, working as a metalworker to support his family. “I still don’t call myself a poet.”
There is something else, which even the plain-spoken Mr. Turab seemed reluctant to confess: He is nearly illiterate. He openly criticised the president on stage and was applauded for it.
In fact, he was respected. Like his day job, Turab's voice was harsh and steely.
Turab worked for years from his garage in the eastern city of Khost as a blacksmith and artisan. His poetry collections, it is said, were written by other men. Some writers have taken government jobs, finding the steady paycheck and modest responsibilities conducive to their work.
It is a reality that, in Afghanistan, may be of critical importance in the coming years.
Translated from German by Max Graef Lakin.
© Qantara.de
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His eloquent voice will echo in the hearts of generations to come.”
Jawed Momand, a university scholar, emphasized Turab’s dedication to social awareness:
“Through poetry, Turab Sahib tried to heal, inspire, and rebuild Afghan society.”A Humble Life, A Towering Legacy
Despite his immense literary stature, Matiullah Turab lived a modest life.
Turab rarely picked up a pen; he was practically illiterate.
Much of what he recited was stored in his memory. Unsurprisingly, admirers of Matiullah Turab can be found in all of these groups.
In keeping with the Afghan zeitgeist, Turab criticised all sides for their failures, corruption and bloodshed. The Islamist mujahideen rebels wrote verses about their struggle against the Red Army.
The Taliban became poets too, writing about martyrdom, US bombs and drones, and their time spent in torture complexes like Bagram and Guantanamo.
Former government officials, members of the Islamic Emirate, figures from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, and even national cricket players paid tribute to Turab’s enduring contribution to Afghan literature and identity.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the popular poet Matiullah Turab,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate.
Turab is the latest in a long roll call of poets cherished in Afghanistan, among the most famous of them Rumi, the Sufi mystic whose works of love and faith remain popular across the world. Turab’s poetry was more than art — it was a form of resistance, a call for justice, and a tribute to the dignity of the Afghan people.
A Lasting Influence
While Afghanistan has lost a literary legend, Matiullah Turab’s voice will continue to inspire future generations.
The Afghan communists circulated nationalistic and ostensibly anti-imperialist poetry. Yet, through the anvil and hammer, he forged poetry that carried the fire of revolution and the warmth of compassion.
His verses often reflected the struggles of the common people, making him a beloved figure among Afghans of all walks of life.