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Book List – Bahaudin G. Mujtaba Featured Book...
Several decades of war and
its subsequent civil turmoil has brought devastating destruction throughout
Afghanistan from various sources. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances
beyond the control of ordinary citizens, the beautiful country of Afghanistan
has endured many long-lasting and painful injuries in the last few decades of
the previous millennium; as a result, it is suffering from lack of resources,
mismanagement of the workforce, water pollution, air pollution, incomplete
learning environment, animosity among people, and perhaps hundreds of other
such debilitating elements that threaten and hinder the speedy progress of
the country. Furthermore, despite having a semi-democratic environment, some
people are still dealing with sporadic violence, animosity, and the
consequences of inappropriate war techniques, such as the use of depleted
uranium in metal penetrating bombs used in Afghanistan by various friendly
and unfriendly forces.
The various chapters in
this book highlight the realities of war, atrocities of certain behaviors
during the Russian
invasion,
factional conflicts, human rights violations, and what the current
administration is doing with the assistance of officials from the United
Nations and other foreign countries such as France
, Germany, Canada, the United States, and Turkey
(just to name a few) to bring about some relief to the “injured” and “maimed”
people of Afghanistan. The book is meant to be non-political...although it
praises some of the recent actions taken by officials in the interim
government and the current administration to bring about long-term security,
peace, and prosperity in the country. The book is written for the general
population
’s awareness of facts as seen by an Afghan-born
author, and it is written for discussion material in colleges and
universities throughout the world. Some of the international colleges and
universities may also adopt this material for cross-cultural discussions,
anthropology, understanding developing economies, and workforce skills needed
in such labor markets. Official colleges or professors adopting this book or
any of its chapters may contact the publisher or the author for receiving the
available supplementary facilitator materials. While the content of this book
provides an awareness of many unfortunate effects of war, the author’s 2007
book about Afghanistan titled: The Ethics of Management and Leadership in
Afghanistan, 2nd edition, offers the skills as a prescription
for rebuilding and workforce development.
Thank you for reading this
information on Afghanistan with good intentions, and hopefully you can pass
on the relevant material to others who can use it. Please forgive the author
for possible misspelling of names and inaccuracies or any information that is
not included but should have been researched and documented! As an author,
sitting in a nice warm room with a satisfied stomach, I fully understand that
I have had more than sufficient time to reflect upon and write this material,
while the people involved in the physical war did not have such opportunities
as they had to react and make life or death decisions, at times, in matter of
seconds. So, I understand that it is easy for me to sit back and “criticize”
the actions of others years after the events. However, I want the readers to
know that I did “attempt” to be objective, to the extent possible, given that
much of this material is subjective and the fact that I too have biases,
limitations and emotions due to the nature of the content. I guess that is
one limitation I like to acknowledge, which is the challenging task of
separating objective material from being influenced by subjective
conditioning. Of course, what appears objective to me may not be so in the
eyes of others. As such, I extend sincere apologies for statements that
appear unjustly too critical of specific individuals, governments or
decisions without offering objective justifications since being unfairly
critical has not been the goal.
Afghanistan has recently begun
to stake out its position on important moral issues, such as terrorism and
drug trafficking affecting society. To be successful in this effort, the
government officials and the working people of Afghanistan must assess and
take seriously their own level of readiness to lead these important agendas.
The past cannot be changed by anyone; however, we can change what happens now
and in the future. Change must start from within, and each person must take
responsibility for his or her own physical, mental, spiritual, and
psychological developments. The realities of war point to many losses to all
parties involved and such atrocities must be replaced with love, kindness,
education, and true “brotherhood” if human beings are to live peacefully. We
should all believe in the following statement: “I must be a productive
individual and, then, a good leader in order to effectively contribute to the
team’s goal toward the creation of a peaceful environment for all.” Being a
peaceful individual, and becoming an effective leader, is a good start for
each person in Afghanistan and for those around the world since people have
the most control over their own behaviors. May everyone be a productive human
being and a good leader in bringing about peace on earth!
Book Reviewer Comments
Speaking
from a Jamaican perspective, I can say that Dr. Mujtaba has delivered a
significant work of literature on the nation, people and culture of
Afghanistan through effectively combining the past, present and future
outlook of this wonderful country into an interesting and great book: “Afghanistan: Realities of War and
Rebuilding.” Dr Mujtaba uses personal childhood experiences as a native
Afghan to corroborate facts and realities of war and the ongoing “jihads”
[struggles to accomplish something] of the Afghan people in their quest for
independence, survival, freedom, free will, human rights, and virtuous
God-given existence free from artificially induced forces curtailing the
progress of their beloved and noble nation.
This book is an extraordinary accomplishment by a
gifted academician and scholar whose love for country and humanity are
fervently expressed in its vibrant pages with equal thoughts, rigor, and
enthusiasm. The intellectual objectivity and mastery with which Dr. Mujtaba
communicates the ‘realities of war and rebuilding’ are excellent as he uses
wit and humor, proverbs and essays to give us accurate knowledge. A timely
addition to the library of highly needed human knowledge for our growth,
progress and survival as a civilization.
Dr. Donovan A. McFarlane
,
Distinguished Member of the International Society of Poets, Owing Mills, MD.;
Research Associate of the University of Metaphysics, Ventura, CA.
You
will be treated to a masterful presentation of history interwoven with
cultural implications today and leadership challenges for tomorrow. Dr.
Mujtaba
writes with a
passion for the reader to understand Afghanistan. If there is to be sustained
change in this proud nation it will need to take place at the grassroots
level. That means individuals more than it does governments, it means winning
hearts more than it means winning battles, and it means developing leaders
more than positions of authority.
Dr. Paul Hersey
, Chairman
Center for Leadership Studies
I
commend Dr. Mujtaba
for taking
the time to write this book. His praiseworthy efforts demonstrate his passion
for his native country. I believe this book would be a very useful tool for
anyone going to visit or work in Afghanistan, but especially for the Afghan
who has immigrated to another country as a child or was born outside
Afghanistan and wants to return. This book will provide a solid reference in
which to frame today’s evolving Afghan society.
Dr.
In
reviewing this book, I found that it discusses the realities of war in
today's geopolitical situation in Afghanistan to manage the crisis. The depth
and breadth of coverage in the book from factual war related historical
information to excellent leadership techniques provides a timely
documentation. The book discusses the diversity of the Afghan community, the
fact that civil war caused them to be more apart from each other and
introduce techniques to bring more unity among the nation.
Professor
M. Quasem Kadir
, Dean of Information Technology
DeVry
University -Southern California
I
found it personally rewarding to learn so much about Afghanistan. I must
admit many individuals do not realize how much misinformation and
misconceptions they are operating under with regard to the issues in
Afghanistan.
Dr.
Ron Campbell
, President
Center
for Leadership Studies
Bahaudin
Mujtaba
has written a
timely book during a critical period in Afghanistan’s political history.
Drawing on his rich academic and corporate background in management, Bahaudin
gets to the bottom of state-building challenges in his native homeland and
offers lucid and practical lessons to maximize the effectiveness of
international aid in rebuilding Afghanistan. The book is a must read for
Afghan government leaders, professional Afghans returning home to build
institutional capacity in the government, aid community managers and
employees, and donor community representatives all of whom share a common
objective: to succeed in rebuilding Afghanistan and preventing it from failure
again.
M. Ashraf Haidari
, Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, D.C.;
Peace Scholar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Services
I
admire Dr. Mujtaba
’s passion and unconditional love toward his
homeland of Afghanistan. As a close neighbor in Taiwan, we know so little
about what was going on and how people suffered from the wars. This book
should attract much needed attention from the world in understanding what
needs to be done, and what we can offer. There is too much in Afghan history
and richness in this land. As Louis Dupree (1989) said, the people and
leaders of Afghanistan would best decide their own future without interference
from any outside sources. The race in rebuilding the country demands time,
loyalty, sacrifice, and devotion from all “Freedom Fighters” in Afghanistan.
The rest of the world should contribute to and respect the reconstruction of
the country, and pray for a new glory land of peace and liberty.
Dr. Yaying Mary Chou Yeh
, CPA
Yung Ta Institute of Technology, Taiwan, ROC
Dr.
Mujtaba
’s book is a most impressive achievement indeed. The
book provides an excellent historical, cultural, and political science
foundation for the treatment of the business subject matters. This reader
also found the author’s reminisces of his own and his family’s experiences in
Afghanistan to be especially spellbinding. The book will not only make a
valuable contribution to the development of the country of Afghanistan, but
also will serve a larger purpose of introducing a wider audience to the land,
the country, and people of Afghanistan and the challenges that the Afghan
people confront in building a just and prosperous society.
Dr.
Frank Cavico
, J.D., Professor of Ethics and Law
Nova
Southeastern University
I
found this book to be fascinating. It provides a concise recent history of
Afghanistan as well as a fascinating autobiographical account of the author.
The book also discusses religion, culture, and even management as applied by
Afghans.
Dr. Robert W. McGee
, Andreas School of Business,
Barry University
Bahaudin
Mujtaba
presents a compelling
picture of the dynamic rebuilding process currently taking place in
Afghanistan. The rich details and personal narratives give the reader an
understanding of reality that can energize and guide the rebirth and
transformation of a nation.
Dr.
Barbara Dastoor
, Professor of Human Resources
Nova
Southeastern University
This book would be a very useful tool for anyone going to visit or work in Afghanistan. It will provide a solid reference in which to frame today’s evolving Afghan society. Dr. Yar M. Ebadi, Dean, College of Business
Administration,
In reviewing this book, I found that it discusses creating trust and high ethical standards, which is by far one of the most important necessities in Afghanistan. Professor M. Quasem Kadir, Dean of Information
Technology
The book is a must read for Afghan government leaders, professional Afghans returning home to build institutional capacity in the government, aid community managers and employees, and donor community representatives all of whom share a common objective: to succeed in rebuilding Afghanistan and preventing it from failure again. M. Ashraf Haidari, Georgetown University School of Foreign Services; Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, D.C.
As a close neighbor in Taiwan, we know so little about what was going on and how people suffered from the wars. The rest of the world should contribute to and respect the reconstruction of the country, and pray for a new glory land of peace and liberty. Dr. Yaying Mary Chou Yeh,
The book will make a valuable contribution to the development of the country of Afghanistan. Dr. Frank Cavico, J.D., Professor of Ethics and Law Nova Southeastern University $14.95 Publisher: ILEAD Academy, LLC Imprint: ILEAD Academy ISBN/SKU: 0977421104 ISBN Complete: 978-0-9774211-0-7 Title: The Ethics of Management and Leadership in Afghanistan, 2nd edition Publication Date: 9/8/2006 Language: English
Book Description (formally called "Annotation"): In this book, discussions have been made regarding the roles of management and leadership in Afghanistan to deal with such challenges, and recommendations for workforce training and rehabilitation have been explored and provided for future development through effective leadership. The people of Afghanistan are doing what they can to develop the country; however, lack of proper education related to management skills and leadership training as well as lack of proper resources make it extremely difficult to have a speedy progress. This material is prepared for managers and leaders to provide explanations, inspirations, and work for perspiration. The word perspiration is used to describe the skill-based topics as they need to be implemented in order for them to become useful. So, application of this knowledge is what delivers results and managers need to make these skills a habit or a way of life for themselves and their workforce. The various chapters in this book highlight effective management and "situational" leadership as the main component or tool for all political, non-profit, and corporate leaders in Afghanistan as they attempt to influence their colleagues, superiors, employees, and others in the community to bring about appropriate changes in the workforce. The book is written for the general population around the globe as it goes through the turmoil of war in the past years, the current situation, and some suggestions for the next twenty years for economic recovery and workforce development. So, it briefly discusses the realities of war, factional conflicts, and what the current administration is doing with the assistance of officials from the United Nations and other foreign countries such as France, Germany, Canada, the United States, and Turkey (just to name a few) to bring about some relief to the "injured" and "maimed" people of Afghanistan. The book covers several management functions and characteristics and it purposefully discusses the concept and skills of situational leadership as the main remedy for making the country prosper through the appropriate capacity development of each individual.
The book is written for workforce development and training of Afghans as well as for use by colleges and government officials in Afghanistan. Some of the international colleges and universities may also adopt this material for cross-cultural discussions, anthropology, understanding developing economies, and workforce skills needed in such labor markets. Universities, colleges or professors adopting this book or any of its chapters may contact the publisher or the author for receiving the available supplementary facilitator's materials such as test banks, exercises and/or Power Point slides for presentation.
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