"Look at the Afghans, during the time of the Soviet invasion. They were among the poorest Muslims in the world, yet they were sustained by their faith in God, and God alone"

Abu Bakar Bashir’s statement invokes the historical experience of the Afghan people during the Soviet invasion of the late 20th century, using it as an emblematic illustration of resilience through faith. Despite extreme poverty and overwhelming military aggression, the Afghans, according to Bashir, found a source of sustaining strength in their spiritual devotion. Material destitution did not break their spirit; instead, it prompted reliance on unwavering belief in God as their primary anchor and support.

In referencing the Afghans as “among the poorest Muslims in the world,” Bashir underscores the fact that their resilience did not stem from wealth, external alliances, or advanced weaponry. Their struggle was marked by deprivation, scarcity, and immense personal loss. What set their resistance apart was not material might, but the immaterial power of belief. Faith, therefore, emerges not just as a private solace, but as a collective force that enabled the Afghan people to endure suffering, resist invasion, and maintain unity under dire circumstances.

Bashir’s words communicate a broader message about the role of faith during social or existential crises. It suggests that spiritual conviction can function as both shield and sustenance, offering psychological and emotional fortitude even when all worldly supports are stripped away. In many ways, the statement elevates the value of faith above all temporal advantages, suggesting that true endurance stems from reliance on divine support rather than human resources.

This perspective can be understood as a form of resistance narrative, valorizing the underdog who draws power from the intangible. Bashir presents the Afghan experience as a model, not just for Muslims, but for any community facing oppression or hardship, that faith is an inexhaustible resource, capable of underpinning survival and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity.