The Indian Subcontinent consists of many ethnic
and language groups. In modern India today, a
large host of languages is spoken: Hindi, Tamil,
Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and many others. When
India gained her independence from Britain, the
Indians wisely kept the English language as a
unifying factor. Even wiser, they managed to do
this while maintaining their own indigenous
languages.

Now, we must look forward to a post-Taliban
Afghanistan. That country also is home to
several language groups, the largest being
Pashtun. In order to form a stable government
in that country, the "language question" must
be addessed. A central unifying tongue would be
advisable, insofar as it does no injury to the
existing laguages.

Pashtun, the most spoken language, would not be
a good candidate here. It was the language of the
Taliban and would marginalise the other groups.
A foreign language, like English in India, would
be a more egalitarian approach. Arabic would not
work either. While it is understood by the more
educated classes and is the language of the Quran,
it would give Osama bin Laden's followers a foothold
to return as "language tutors". Nor would English.
It would result in accusations of Anglo-American
linguistic imperialism.

We can go through an entire list of languages
here. Eventually, we will arrive at the only
and obvious candidate for Afghanistan's new
language: An Ghaeilge !

Many may not know that portions of the Quran
have already been translated into Irish.

I hope that others willing to teach will join
me in teaching Irish to the women who will be
governing that country.

I urge Daltaí na Gaeilge to make the initial
step by applying to the United Nations for
Permanent Observer Status.

We, as Gaeilgeoiri, now must shoulder the burden
of World Peace.

Daltaí na Gaeilge, this is your finest hour!!!!