KABUL - At a special ceremony held at Minar-e-Muqawomat (Resistance Minaret) in Kabul city on Monday, Marshal Muhammad Qaseem Fahim, the First Vice-President of Afghanistan; Bismillah Muhammadi, the Minister of Defense; and several other high-ranking government officials paid tribute to the "national hero" Ahmad Shah Massoud for his service to Afghanistan before being killed on September 9, 2001.

A number of prominent speakers at the gathering said that recent progress in Afghanistan was only possible because of the vision and efforts of Massoud, who originally emerged as a leader during the mujahidin resistance against the Soviet Union invasion. The speakers emphasized the importance of preserving the progress in honoring the legacy of those like Massoud who fought for it.

"All coalitions and political parties are responsible for protecting the achievements made over the past 11 years," said Ahmad Zia Massoud, the brother of the commemorated martyr and Chairman of the Massoud Foundation. "The achievements that the country has seen are a result of Jihad and the resistance of our brave citizens. We should have firm faith in democracy and promote it. We should work toward holding transparent elections and should not let the country face a series of new crisis and conflicts after 2014."

At the ceremony, a number of government officials said that social justice and the establishment of a democratic system were among the core aspirations of the Massoud, for whom September 9 was declared a national holiday.

"The national champion was one of the stars of Afghanistan's classic history who sacrificed his life for the sake of the country's independence. He always struggled to establish a democratic government and restore peace and security in the country," said Wais Ahmad Barmak, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

Talking about the progress made in investigating the assassination of Massoud, Mr. Barmak revealed that the government has made significant headway in identifying the culprits. But he said the issue is extremely complicated and requires further assessments and investigation.

Ahmad Shah Massoud was assassinated by two Arab suicide bombers in the Khawja Bahauddin district of northern Takhar province in 2001. Former mujahidin leaders blamed the Afghan government for not being able to identify and arrest the conspirators. The former Jihadis urged the government to make the outcomes of the investigation public. (Tolo News)