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| Afghanistan |
| Hundreds of would-be jihadis show up at border |
| 2001-10-09 |
By midday Monday hundreds of Afghans studying at Islamic religious schools in Pakistan had reached the border post at Torkham, ready to join their Taliban elders. "This is a test of our faith. I don't care if I die. I will defend my country and my religion," said 15-year-old Khairullah, who, like many Afghans, uses only one name. The apparent willingness to die for their cause is bolstered by the belief that if they die for their faith, they will go to heaven. The massive steel border gate was chained and padlocked and the would-be fighters - none of them armed - were turned away. On the other side of the border, Taliban soldiers were preventing refugees fleeing the U.S.-led attack from reaching the gates |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |