At precisely 7.50am on Tuesday (Nov 23), I received a text message from a friend reaffirming his faith. His sudden open devotion and conviction to God are not to be ridiculed or taken lightly.

After more than 25 days being held hostage, Shjipe Hebibi, Annetta Flanigan and Angelito Nayan are survivors. These three names have been repeated in all of our minds, hearts and lips at every single moment of our lives for the last few weeks. Their names will continue to echo in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

For those of us who are working in Afghanistan, the abduction of the three international United Nations electoral staffs on Oct 28 have challenged our hope and faith for humanity. Many have come and gone. For those who left the country at the height of this incident, many have sworn not to ever return and were in fact happy to leave a country where no one feels safe anymore.

It is hard to swallow the reality of the proverb, biting the hands that feed. Why should they help the very same people who are hurting and harming them? Generalization and stereotype are innate in human nature. Just because one or two are the odd ones out, the rest of the people suffer along with them. Afghanistan has indeed reached the very peak of its unpopularity.

My own belief system was shook to the core as well. I bear no personal ill-feeling for the Afghans but my mind was constantly asking, "Why do bad things always happen to good people? Is this what we get in return for doing good?"

Afghanistan, a country that has been forgotten after the war waged on Iraq has only received US$1 billion in reconstruction aid by the international community last year. Meantime, Iraq with a much smaller population has received US$26 billion. When the American forces are still fighting in Iraq, hardly anything is ever mentioned on the newspaper about Afghanistan.

Fear so real

Some would say that, "Well, Iraq is different" The difference gap was drawn closer on Oct 28 when Shjpe, Annette and Angelito were kidnapped at gunpoint and held captive. When a video footage of their captivity was released on Al-Jazeera news, only one thought came into our minds.

Would the international staff face a similar fate as those who were viciously "sacrificed" in Iraq? The fear for their security and lives was so real that it began to challenge our comfort zones. For the first time, our fear was placed under a magnifying glass. It was a time for reflection. If it could happen to them, it could happen to anyone of us here.

A friend who never prayed before started praying every night. I never knew what or who she was praying for. For the victims, for the family of the victims, for her own safety, for all of our safety? Who knows but God? Whatever it might be, she had turned to God for solace and comfort. Others chose to spend more time with friends for the much needed emotional support. Friendships that were wounded are healed automatically as some began to realize that life is definitely too uncertain to hold grudges.

Finally, there were some who decided to leave the mission and to return to their families realizing that life is too short to be apart from loved ones. All in all, there is a lesson learnt for all of us here.

Many Afghans have shown their solidarity during this time especially those who have come to know the three survivors. Thousands of well-wishers have sent letters of prayers and comfort to the United Nations, families and friends of the survivors. Many have even offered themselves to the abductors in exchange for the release of the three.

A day to remember

Although we know that we are not alone here, we also know that there shall be no peace until we the fate of our fellow friends is known.

Hence, Nov 23 is indeed a day to remember. As I read the text message from my friend informing me that the hostages are free and that God is good, tears were in my eyes. Those were tears of happiness, relief and life. Why life? Well for one, our hope and faith in the goodness of God and mankind have been restored. This may be a small step for humanity, as thousands of other innocent lives are still taken away everyday, it is indeed a huge step for Shjipe, Annetta, Angelito and their families and friends who may have lost their hope and faith momentarily.

For the families and friends who have feared for our lives and security here, always remember that nobody has any control over our lives. For those who have died in the course of restoring and defending humanity, their lives will continue to live in the hearts and minds of people who truly know them.

To die in dignity is better to live with none. Living in fear is not living at all. For all of us who continue to do what we firmly believe in no matter how adverse or difficult the conditions, to us that is a life worth living. So, let us continue to live.

With these thoughts, I hope that there shall be peace and comfort in the hearts of those who have constantly cared for us here. Your continuous support is the pillar for our very existence here.

LIM KA EA is a human rights officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission based in Kabul, Afghanistan (Unama).