Saur 15 (May 5) marks the third anniversary of the death of the highly respected Afghan journalist Mujahid Kakar, who was a former head of TOLOnews. Kakar died in Germany from an illness.

Kakar has been called the founder of a new journalism method in Afghanistan.

“Mujahid Kakar was a bright start in the Afghan media. He made a great effort to promote professional journalism in the country. We can name TOLOnews as one of his achievements,” said Zabihullah Sadaat, Director of TOLOnews.

A former employee of the MOBY Group, Homayoun Danishyar, described Kakar:

“The essential services Mr Kakar paid for TOLOnews has been witnessed by me, one after the other. He was not out of work for a second even.”

The first debate discussion among the presidential candidates in 1388 (solar year) is considered one of Kakar’s greatest achievements.  

Naim Sarwari, managing Director of MOBY Group in Afghanistan and former colleague of Kakar, said that Kakar was a very professional journalist.

“We have spent many days with him traveling inside and outside the country. He was verry kind and friendly. He was a committed friend,” Sarwari said.

“Mr. Kakar had an essential role in bringing new journalism to Afghanistan. A large number of professional and experienced journalists that are working now have been trained by Mujahid Kakar,” said Tamim Shahir, a journalist.

Despite facing political and social pressure, Kakar continued working as a journalist and made tremendous changes in the journalism field in Afghanistan.

Kakar was infected by cancer and died at age 51 on Saur 15 (May 5) in 2020.