$(document).ready( function () { talk_rendercallback({"enabled":"0","islive":"0","eid":6499,"total":"143","discussion":[{"nm":"social worker","rs":"0","ms":"I could not sleep. I can\'t stop thinking about this world wide problem. I live in the US and human / sex trafficking is alive an active. Here in Atlanta, its actually a "hub".  I want to help. I want to protect my children. I want to help "heal" those who are saved. For anyone interested in helping combat the sexual slavery of children in general, go to International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org).  They do rescue missions, hiding as undercover clients, in various countries. EVERY little bit you can donate, or give time to warn/teach children you know how to protect themselves will make a difference! ","pt":"May  3, 2010 12:02"},{"nm":"Jamie","rs":"0","ms":"Who\'s minding the blog here?\n\nrenee May 1, 2010 16:24? -- Sounds pretty sexist and defamatory to me. Somebody sleeping behind the blog?\n\nI am wholly against what is happening to these children. I would not however, characterize the perpetrators as per se homosexuals.\n","pt":"May  3, 2010 10:22"},{"nm":"renee","rs":"0","ms":"  It never ceases to amaze me, how in our politically - incorrect society,  a number of misguided people are trying to paint homosexuality as though it were a "natural" practice and synonymous with heterosexual sex!\n  \n  Rubbish! we all know  what causes a  grown man to lust after another man, and eventually act on this type of iclination; perversity! and in this case, these degenerate men, (If I can even call them that) are delibrately, preying on young, innocent boys, and forcing them to engage in homosexual sex, which then deprives them of their manhood! What\'s even more disturbing,is that in the Islamic world, women are considered less than cattle, so they really have no say whatsoever on whether or not, their husbands decide to sell off their sons, into this trifling world of sexual exploitation!\n\n  Just what was Dastegaer trying to imply, when he was sneering at Mr. Quraishi, after he confessed to "being with over 2,000 to 3,000 boys?" And we all knew what he was going to do with that boy named Imam, after he danced before his friends. Mr. Quraishi even asked him who was going to take the boy home, and he no doubt admitted that Imam was "going home with him!"\n\n I can only imagine, the thoughts which are racing in his wife\'s head, as well as most the wives, who unfortunately are forced to accept this pernicious ritual, night after night. What can they possibly do, when witnessing their husbands, with yet another "boy toy" in their possession! ","pt":"May  1, 2010 16:24"},{"nm":"Deema","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you very much for bringing light to this issue which has little coverage. It raises some very important questions, like what are our tax dollars funding in Afghanistan? What are we doing to eradicate this police corruption?","pt":"Apr 30, 2010 22:53"},{"nm":"Susan","rs":"0","ms":"I commend Najibullah and Jamie on this program, and admire Najibullah\'s courage with his undercover reporting and his repeated visits to help Shafiq and other victims.  It\'s wonderful that Shafiq was rescued, but is there anything that we can do to help young Nemat?  He was so obviously terrified and deeply ashamed, and I haven\'t been able to stop thinking about him.","pt":"Apr 30, 2010 19:37"},{"nm":"Yuri","rs":"0","ms":"I love you Najibullah Quraishi.  You are so brave man.  Bravo!","pt":"Apr 30, 2010 16:12"},{"nm":"Glenn","rs":"0","ms":"Fascinating. Is this what the repression of women and a \'society of men\' produces -- a nation of pederasts?\nI was particularly struck by the seeming total lack of Islamic values. I thought Afghanistan was a pious Muslim nation. Evidently I was wrong. \nI understand it would probably have been provocative and aroused suspicion, but I\'d love to have heard some of these men questioned about how they square their actions with the teachings of the Quran as well as what explanation they plan to present when they stand before Allah. ","pt":"Apr 30, 2010 02:21"},{"nm":"Ari","rs":"0","ms":"I recently viewed this documentary which was courageously filmed by Najibullah.  It was clear he risked his life, yet again, in order to express his compassion for the young boys of Afghanistan and also the world.  His courage is commendable and I pray this documentary is eventful in making drastic change.  \n \nIt is without a doubt child abuse and until the powerful local men are punished this practice will regretfully continue.  As an Afghan American I was appalled by such behavior.  The night I viewed the documentary I could not sleep and days later I am still disturbed.  I just kept thinking about these boys and felt disheartened about the vicious cycle which continues once the boys reach a \'retirement age\' of 16 or so.  We need to break this cycle. \n \nUNICEF must do something serious about this starting at the grassroots of this issue.  I truly believe if this horrific practice was forgotten during the Taliban years than it can definitely happen again.  This uproar must involve severely punishing these \'pimps and abusers\' and send the message to all that this behavior will not be tolerated.  Young boys should NEVER be used for entertainment and pleasure.  Also, opium drug money should not be used to bail these perverts out of jail.  This part of the documentary was yet again another disappointing aspect.  Everyone was in union further perpetuating this repulsive abuse.\n \nA million thanks (shukur) to Najibullah for risking his life to shed light on this barbaric practice.  We need the power to now take action against these perpetrators.  If there is a petition to sign and present to UNICEF let us all channel our efforts.  \n\nThis may sound cliché, but is it possible for Jamie Doran to contact the producers of The Oprah Show.  I know that her show is viewed in 145 countries (according to BBC) and this will greatly help this important cause.  Whether you are a fan of her or not she is extremely powerful.  \n\nThank you for reading, Ari \n\n \n ","pt":"Apr 29, 2010 16:15"},{"nm":"yasmin ","rs":"0","ms":"brother najibullah what can we do to help these poor boys this has been on my mind since I seen your documentary. my heart bleeds for these poor children, please tell what we can do for these unfortunate kids.","pt":"Apr 29, 2010 09:02"},{"nm":"Mark Whitenack","rs":"0","ms":"I agree with a comment by another poster.  This is not about homosexuality or heterosexuality.  We are NOT talking about sexuality between consenting adults, but the  rape and abuse of children!  Don\'t think for a moment that young girls are not abused in similar ways.   Keep your homophobic comments out of this discussion because it\'s about pedophilia, not homosexuality!","pt":"Apr 28, 2010 23:54"},{"nm":"Tamara","rs":"0","ms":"I want to know how I can help the boys. \nThe one in particular that I pray for everyday is the boy who\nspoke out and said that boys are murdered. Please get back to me\nand let me know what people can do to help rescue these boys.","pt":"Apr 28, 2010 19:53"},{"nm":"Najibullah Quraishi","rs":"0","ms":"Hello and Thank you all for your comments\nNajibullah Quraishi\n","pt":"Apr 28, 2010 06:33"},{"nm":"Carrie","rs":"0","ms":"It was an excellent film, although very sad. I do wish that when people comment on this, they would not refer to these men as homosexuals. They are not homosexuals, they are pedophiles. They are not the same. Even the one teenager commented that he would be too old soon. It\'s an awful crime against children.","pt":"Apr 27, 2010 19:51"},{"nm":"Carlos","rs":"0","ms":"Well done documentary. I am shocked to know that children have been and continue to be abused physically, emotionally, psychologically and sexually. As a youth protection social worker I can not believe that my country Canada continues to help Afghanistan perhaps being aware of such practices. This documentary should be showed in a prime time TV slot for people of U.S and Canada to become aware that still barbarian practices are still carried on in Afghanistan. I will write to my MP making sure that I showed my completely disappointment with Canada\'s silence about this huge problem. \n","pt":"Apr 27, 2010 19:36"},{"nm":"Anna","rs":"0","ms":"This documentary was so very well done, I congratulate the producers and everyone associated with it.  So often I believe we in America are so immersed with what only effects us - the war, terrorism.  Which is understandable.  But it is good to be reminded that there are those who suffer immeasurable pain by having the misfortune to be born in a certain area or country.  These children have two strikes against them before they\'re 5.  And the "men" who propagate this horrific trade - how they live with themselves I just don\'t know.  It is so sad that people have to live in a such a world that it is better to turn their children out to pimps than try to raise them themselves.  Job well done for bringing this practice to the forefront of conscience.","pt":"Apr 27, 2010 16:57"},{"nm":"renee","rs":"0","ms":"\n  I too watched this disturbing documentary and was often at times, disgusted by what I witnessed. I commend Mr. Quraishi for having the guts and courage to document this pernicious practice. There were so many troubling scenes, which I at times, had to tune off, such as when Dastager was confessing to Mestary, about how he and several drunkened officers, gang raped a 13 year old boy in a parked car!\n\n  As far as I was concerned. it gave futher evidence of just how rampant homosexuality is in the Islamic world, even though it is considered illegal. I thank God that Mr. Quraishi and Frontline were able to rescue "Shafiq" in time, though I don\'t doubt that both Dastager and Rafi had raped him, once he was left alone in their care. \n\n  How sad,it was to see that the only older boy, to give a truly  honest account of just how dangerous the life of a Bacha Bazi boy really is, was 14 year old Nemat, and that\'s  only because he wasn\'t in the presence of his sleazy owner! Both Imam and Abdullah were only speaking out of fear, due to the fact that they weren\'t able to speak freely without their "masters" presence. Imam, unfortunately, gave evidence of his damaged life, once he admitted that he too would like to continue the vicious cycle of further exploiting young boys for his own homosexual enjoyment! It was really sad, watching that creepy little man, Dastager, lusting over him, while getting dressed to perform in front of his despicable friends!\n\n  I also couldn\'t help but notice the face of the 15 year old boy, Hafiz, who was murdered by his "master". While dancing in an older video documentary. He looked tired and disillusioned! The photo in which his brother presented to Mr. Quraishi, showed a very healthy and "masculine" looking young boy, whose short life, was unfortunately taken away by greed and perversion! I hope that Mr. Quraishi and Frontline will update the viewers on all of the boys, in an upcoming documentary, and hopefully enable them to escape their abusive ordeal!","pt":"Apr 27, 2010 12:38"},{"nm":"NC","rs":"0","ms":"I was about to go to bed when I channel-surfed upon this episode of Frontline. Like most of the people who made comments about this show, I felt sickened and disgusted. My heart also goes out to these poor, innocent children for the lives of pain and suffering they will endur. I, too, hope all the willing participants of this practice will burn in H*ll. Thank you to Mr. Doran & Mr. Quraishi for bringing this despicable custom to our attention. (Mr. Q. is an especially brave man for investigating this issue; I hope his life will not be endangered by angry, fellow Afghans wanting to silence him.) Please help out by informing others of this practice, donating money, or doing anything else you can to stop this custom and bring attention to children\'s/human rights!","pt":"Apr 26, 2010 15:03"},{"nm":"Maggie","rs":"0","ms":"Please keep showing this kind of documentery to inform people about what\'s going on in Afganestan, although in Kiterunner I aleady have seen boys dancing but  couldn\'t believe it!! Thanks and good luck","pt":"Apr 26, 2010 13:05"},{"nm":"saima","rs":"0","ms":"i watched this and it is absolutely disgusting and horrific. i had never heard of this thing before and i hope more people will hear about it and do something to stop it!","pt":"Apr 26, 2010 11:18"},{"nm":"Jon Mason","rs":"0","ms":"In a country ruled by warlords ("lawless gangs of thugs," in English) there is no rule of law. There remains a rule of economics where the poor are victimized down to the youngest child. This is not homosexuality. It is pederasty and rape of the worst kind. International outrage and international laws to protect children will never protect children until countries have the rule and enforcement of law. Sexual slavery exists everywhere where money can be had to bribe officials in high places and police in low places. I cried over Shafiq\'s "death" and cried again over his "resurrection" because he will always live with secrecy and with his psychological scars for the rest of his life. I experience those scars daily.","pt":"Apr 26, 2010 04:32"},{"nm":"Steven Harris-Troake","rs":"0","ms":"Hello, I watched this last night and i was appauled that such a violent crime is allowed to be considered as a everyday thing. I am a gay guy myself and i know that over here in the UK such crimes have happened and young gay lads that i know go with older men for money but sometimes you fall into this trap and you cant ever seem away to get out. My heart goes to all the families of those boys that have been murdered and i feel so upset i actually cried through most of it. My mum watched this with me who is a teacher at a secondary school, she will apply for this material to be shown to her pupils to show them what happens and not to be afraid to speak up. I dont understand "that being gay is a crime so how can such a thing go on in that country?" "Just because they have money.... poor excuse. This needs to be stopped before any 11 to 17 year olds are exploited and taken into an enviorment with many bad endings" I want to help these children, please advise me of my ways i can do this? Thank you. Steven","pt":"Apr 26, 2010 03:44"},{"nm":"Annie","rs":"0","ms":"Where is our God ? Who promised that he would take care of the young, innocent and helpless little ones. My heart aches so much for the state of these children. How can the perpetrators be called men ? They personify evil in every respect. They will all pay for their crimes. I believe that my God will hold them accountable and every one of them will suffer endlessly. ","pt":"Apr 25, 2010 19:26"},{"nm":"Chicago Music Promotions","rs":"0","ms":"Very good documentary and i am glad you all did this to open the eyes to the government and officials to make it more clear to them this should not be tolerated or accepted in any culture. I can understand you keeping some faces blurred and other ones not blurred. IT was great you all were able to step up to the plate and do your rescue attempt. I hope the boy does well and lives a normal life out of the hands of those criminals. But i do think the father should be punished as well since he known all along what happened to his son.","pt":"Apr 25, 2010 05:25"},{"nm":"tbrd","rs":"0","ms":"The degree of care-free openess with which these monsters stroll around looking for victims was one of the most shocking overiding take-away sickening messages of this piece.  Innocent boys, poor boys, walking in a park are apparently fee game for open pursuit -- grooming for a life of abuse and despair.  \n\nOMG!... then the whole "dancing" thing ... like that really has anything to do with the underlying evil intent of the parties, the monsters that attend them, and all the other evil, sick perpetrators of the real crime against humanity.  It really is as simple as men who want to have sex with boys, and it is somehow couched in a "tradition" of dancing.  \n\nWhy can\'t the world community put an end to this horrendous abuse of human rights -- children\'s rights!!","pt":"Apr 24, 2010 23:47"},{"nm":"Rebecca","rs":"0","ms":"why do you say not to acknowledge violence in a return comment to you?  Some things in this world are so sickening that emotions will lead to such thoughts.  This is as disgusting as it gets.  I have not stopped thinking about these boys since I saw this documentry.  It is horrible.  These boys will never recover from such abuse.  Those men love this practice. They are the worst of mankind.  Hope each and everyone of them burn in HELL.","pt":"Apr 24, 2010 20:38"},{"nm":"Ummomar","rs":"0","ms":"As a Muslim, as a mother of 2 boys and as a human being this pains me deeply.  Islam prohibits this type of abuse. I could sit here and waste my time name calling these vicious pedophiles but, I won\'t instead I will help shafiq\'s family and speak with my dollars instead.   ","pt":"Apr 24, 2010 03:07"},{"nm":"Sue","rs":"0","ms":"Frontline- thanks for a great show, and for helping Shafiq. I am really concerned that people don\'t seem to understand the difference between pediphilia and homosexuality. Homosexuals are attracted to their same sex. Very few homosexuals are pediphiles. Pediphiles are primariy heterosexuals who are obsessed with having sex with children. They usually have a preferred age range. They are most often married with children who they may or may not abuse. Homosexuals have loving relationships (although sometimes turbulent, like heterosexuals) whereas pediphiles, like rapists, are into power and control, and in some cultures, prestige. They may say they love the boys, but they don\'t. That is part of the disorder. Normally they don\'t stop until stopped. I don\'t think that it is for a lack of women in the Middle East. The songs the boys sung specifically stated the men wanted boys, not girls. I think dressing them up as women/girls is a way for them to keep their denial.\n\nThe men shown in this film are clearly pediphiles. If a man wants a young girl, Islam allows marriage at a very young age. If they take the girls then, instead of waiting for a promised age (still young), he can have sex with her as much as he wants. This happens in other countries as well. \n\nInternet porn and the selling of children for sex slaves is fast growing on the internet. It is very prevalent in the U.S. as well as other countries. And of course there are tour companies who arrange for men to go to other countries to have sex with boys or girls. As others have noted, the chilren most often come from extreme poverty, unless they have been kidnapped as happens in the U.S.  \n\nAs long as there is poverty and corrupt officals, like in Afghanistan and other countries, these atrocities will continue. Oh, and by the way, I have worked with many abuse victims, and the effects do not "pass" as one man said.","pt":"Apr 24, 2010 01:57"},{"nm":"Concerned Western and Third World Citizen","rs":"0","ms":":I WANT TO THANK THE PRODUCERS FOR THIS FINE WORK OF DIS-INFORMATION: \n\nFilms like this work in the favor of the Western occupying forces. The film showed the extensive corruption of Afghan society as a problem stemming from these people\'s backwardness, aversion to human rights, and inability to create a true democracy. These western producers, helped by a "native" Afghan man, goes to the country to save a little boy from the tyranny of these third world people. Why did the film not mention that these men only have power because the Western occupiers allow them to? These commanders bring "stability" to the country by tentatively the puppet government that Afghan people do not trust. The sex trade and opium production has SKYROCKETED since the American led invasion in 2001. Why have American service men explicitly told not to raid houses of sex slavery as not to break already strained alliances with these commanders? Yes, this documentary is a great piece of work for what it DOES NOT SAY. \n\n\nThe interviews were decent, but Najibullah never asked where the commanders\' power comes from. He made it seem like Afghanistan has a real, legitimate government. Karzi\'s government is a puppet regime of the United States. The Afghan citizenry, commanders, Nato, Human Rights Watch, and experts of the region know this. The CIA and NSA has kept files on these commanders, many of the Northern Alliance, for over 20 years. It\'s common knowledge that these commanders work outside any legal framework. The Taliban were brutal, no one is denying that, but many Afghans will tell you that at least the Taliban had courts manned by village elders and tribal leaders. This is the type of democracy that has worked in Afghanistan for centuries, centuries before Islam. These commanders respect no one except the hands that allows them to take from the Afghan people. Najibullah never brought this up at all. \n\nIf the United States really cares about democracy and safety of the Afghan people, why do they continually support these warlords who have committed more "crimes against humanity" (according to UN protocol) than the Taliban ever did? \n\nWhy didnt Najibullah\'s camera crews show how American soldiers have had to protect these pedophiles and murderers because the mujahadeen seek to bring them to justice? \n\nWhy doesn\'t Najibullah ask US Army officials why American soldiers have been used to guard the houses of these commanders? (My best friend is currently serving in Afghanistan). American officials know what\'s going on in these homes (sexual exploitation at the most base level), but the physical safety of boys, girls, and women hails in comparison to "western interests". \n\nThis documentary showed Afghanistan as a "lawless" land full of corruption. Yes, Afghanistan is corrupt. But this level of corruption can only operate with the sanction of the US government. The Taliban repressed ideas and hurt many people. But the Taliban did work to end the drug trade that\'s ravaging the Afghan population and ended sexual slavery for women and children. \n\nI expected more from Frontline, but the strategic removal of the American occupation to give an idea that Afghanistan is a free country is almost criminal. ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 17:32"},{"nm":"keira","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for exposing this sensitive subject.  I commend Frontline as I was shocked when I saw the clips, thinking it was just about dancing boys, but it goes far beyond that.  I think the Muslim world need to enlightened of this matter. (Perhaps some already know about these practices in the Arab/Mideast countries.)  Certainly, informing the rest of the world, we could hopefully bring change.  P.S.:  How noble of the Frontline production team to provide assistance in the rescue and relocation of Shafiq and his family.  Wish him well and remain hopeful for those who are vulnerable.  ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 16:20"},{"nm":"dyann","rs":"0","ms":"HRA thanks for you comments, it does give insight...\nmakes ya wonder if we doing a dis-service fighting the Taliban, maybe there could be a different way..., ..\nso sad...","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 16:02"},{"nm":"Seda","rs":"0","ms":"Is it no wonder with such \'moral\' disconnect that we are unable to trust or collaborate in the region with minds that work on such primitive deviancy?  Where is the community awareness of exploiting innocence - it\'s as though there is no compassion at all?  How can so many be so cruel in this day and age.  How are we to find peace in this world with this kind of mentality?","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 13:50"},{"nm":"Carmen Gomez","rs":"0","ms":"This is a horrible truth of what evil people are doing not only in Afghanistan but in many parts of the world. Where are the Human Rights agencies and the UN? ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 10:56"},{"nm":"Stuart","rs":"0","ms":"I am sick in my heart for these young boys - and in deep thoughts and prayer over their wellbeing if  and when they make it out of their horrific enslaved means. What do they endure both mentally and physically once or if they ever become free? ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 10:39"},{"nm":"mimi","rs":"0","ms":"What shocked me the most was the oppeness of the abusers and how this "practice" is accepted. It is such a  contradiction that homosexuality is outlawed and taboo while abusing children or for that matter young boys is just a part of the culture. Another big thing was that the whole bachi bazi thing was about power, the powerful men choose the boys they want to abuse and it is just about power basically. I really feel horrible about the boys that are basically enslaved, but it is also expected that most of them will remain in this trade and one of them was even talking about starting his own. I cant forgot one of the boys who was terrified and kept reapeting "my life is ruined". It is so terrible to see that these children are being put through hell and we cant really do anything, it must have been especially frustrating for the film makers. ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 08:56"},{"nm":"Ejay","rs":"0","ms":"This was another powerful Frontline program.  Although I am still shaking two hours after having watched it, I know that Frontline could throw a dart at a map on a wall and take their undercover cameras to whichever place that dart landed and they could come away with a program equally as distressing. For those who comment on these pages that they want to help, its really not that hard to do.  You can start in your own state or community and help keep our vulnerable children safe.  \n\nAdults who hurt children (or other adults for that matter) sicken me.  However, we need to look inside ourselves and ask ourselves if our righteous indignation might be fueling the problem.  Our religions, not just Islam, have developed morality rules that defy human nature.  Humans are designed to be sexually active in their early teens and they will engage in sex soon thereafter.  You can raise the "legal age" or try and separate the males from the females but you will end up with a sexually dysfunctional society no matter in which place or time you lived. I do NOT condone rape for any reason.","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 03:33"},{"nm":"Alan A. Katz","rs":"0","ms":"Oddly enough, it was not the sexual subjugation of the young boys that bothered me most. It was the feudal nature of the country, the extraordinary poverty, the power brokers, women reduced to an inanimate tent, a part of the world that seems both primitive and out-of-control. It is, perhaps, no surprise that the 9/11 terrorists were sent on their deadly mission from there.\n\nAs for child sex slavery, it is happening all over the world. I saw another sad documentary on the street boys of Paris, not to mention the boys of Prague and so many other cities worldwide.\n\nAnyone who thinks this pedophilia is related to homosexuality is simply wrong. It\'s obvious that these men do not want to sleep with other men, just with boys dressed up to look and act like women. \n\nThe pedophile thing is about power. In some societies (like ours in the U.S.), many pedophiles don\'t care what gender is the child they molest. Like rape, it is about power and control. It is about owning slaves. It is about forcing someone less powerful to see to your every need. It is not about homosexuality. Were young girls more "available" in Afghanistan, I\'m sure you\'d see a much more even distribution of abuse.\n\nThe solution is not just punishment. Many of the children and their parents go along willingly because the income helps the family survive. The solution is ending the grinding poverty and hopelessness that infects too much of our terribly sad world.","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 02:32"},{"nm":"Sheila","rs":"0","ms":"In Persian, Bacha Baazi means playing with a child but they are commonly boys. Girl\'s virginity is extremely important for the family\'s honor. In religious societies where sex between man and woman is prohibited till marriage, many men (or even women) experience homosexuality. Young boys in such countries are commonly victimized by relatives, friends, neighbors, school mates. This film is tragic but unfortunately is a very common practice just in different shapes and forms and is present in Afganistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia,...and even in Philipines and Thailand.  ","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 02:03"},{"nm":"Sue","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for bringing this phenomenon to light inspite of the personal dangers you faced.  There is a way to fight this practice even though the "authorities" are corrupt and partake themselves of these "pleasures."  Many of the parents of these boys are duped into giving them up and the boys go willingly unaware of the fate they will face. The pedophiles rely on deception to get most of their victims. If there is a way to publicize the truth to even the illiterate parents and children of Afghanistan, if there is a way to highlight the shameful and cowardly nature of grown men preying on little boys...  The dark side of human nature can only exist where there is no light of Truth, where there is silence.  It is not helpful to call these men names and link their behavior erroneously to their religion or culture.  Victimization occurs in all walks of life, even in America.  It takes people to care enough and have enough courage to take action.  Thank you to the producers and investigative team for taking this first step.","pt":"Apr 23, 2010 01:57"},{"nm":"Aj","rs":"0","ms":"Obviously the pedophiles are sick, but what\'s up with the parents? How could anyone allow this to happen to their son? I don\'t care how broke you are, there is now way I could ever sell my son for sex. The one father who said, "He\'s just a boy, it will pass". Are you kidding me? The parents should be locked up. ","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 22:40"},{"nm":"carole louise","rs":"0","ms":"Frontline did a masterful job shedding light on this disgusting practice.  One question puzzles me...if the men are married but like boys (males) does this mean they are bisexual or homosexual?  In any case, pressure should be brought to bare on the government to STOP this heinous crime to children.  ","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 21:17"},{"nm":"Susan","rs":"0","ms":"Thank-you to Najibullah Quraishi and Jamie Doran for making this film.  As I watched with one hand covering my mouth, I wondered about the chances Najibullah took in filming this piece. In one scene, we saw Dastager spending time with his own young son.  I would have liked to have Najibullah ask Dastager whether he would like him to become a dancing boy!","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 20:41"},{"nm":"Nilo","rs":"0","ms":"I am so upset and hurt by this. In all poor families and countries these bad, horrible things happen for money. What can we do over here to help save one boy or one girl at a time?? I am sure these things happen to girls too over their. Please let us know what we can do to help save another shafique.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 19:03"},{"nm":"Aisha","rs":"0","ms":"I thought it might have been because women are veiled there, too but I don\'t think so as there are many women who, due to economic circumstances and helplessness, are in prostitution/dancing for men. Why wouldn\'t they just have those women? And if you were watching closely, Mystery says he\'s married, but still enjoyed s-x with the boys. It\'s not a matter of not having women or not seeing them that\'s causing this, they just seem to have mental issues.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 17:46"},{"nm":"Lenannedez@comcast.net","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you Frontline for this excellent documentary.  In response to some of the comments:  The lawlessness of Afghanistan can not be compared to the United States.  Many writers indicated that there have been issues related to child abuse here in our own country (someone mentioned the Boy Scouts) - this is not comparable to what these unfortunate young men are exposed to - my heart bleeds for them and their mothers.  I am a mother of 2 young sons and I could not begin to comprehend the feelings of those helpless mothers.  The other thought is this is not homosexuality but pedophilia.  I believe they do not pursue girls because of the concern with pregnancy - just a thought.  Although, as someone had mentioned, life is cheap in this part of the world.  My thoughts and prayers are with Shafiq, his mother and all of those so sadly effected by this sick practice.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 16:34"},{"nm":"Eric","rs":"0","ms":"Wow, your presentation was mind blowing. I felt I was there asking the questions myself. I was most astonished at cavalier attitude of these pedophiles. That the pedophilia they engaged in was perfectly acceptable. The scene of men with Dastager watching the Dancing Boy and the sheer lust on their faces was shocking. How is it that these men can be so callous?\n\nI understand that pedophilia afflicts anywhere in the world, but I had no idea that there were populations and cultures such as this one with implicit consent.\n","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 16:13"},{"nm":"Huda","rs":"0","ms":"The people of the Middle East and Africa MUST pull themselves up by their moral, social, political and economic bootstraps.  Unless they are willing to do so, no other country, particularly the United States, can interfere and force them to, otherwise their resentment of us will continue.  All the West can do is try to set the right example to other countries by doing right in our own countries morally, socially, politically and economically.  We must lead by example...","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 14:23"},{"nm":"Kara","rs":"0","ms":"How can we help stop this horrific crime to children?  Are there INternational Laws to protect the young boys in this predicament?  Can International Justice Mission organization become involved?\nTo whom do we write to against this crime??\nHow does one make a stand against this horrific crime to young boys and young men?\nThank you for your work,  ","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 12:50"},{"nm":"kevin wade","rs":"0","ms":"I thought the scene in the park with the three brothers looked staged.Also, it seemed irrelevant to the main story.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 12:17"},{"nm":"cybersadhu@msn.com","rs":"0","ms":"The practice of pederasty shown in the documentary probably predates Islam.  The ancient Greeks and Persians practiced it, so this is revival of an ancient tradition, which found its way into male Muslim culture.  Clearly a power and prestige-based behavior acted out sexually, exasperated by the segregation of the sexes.  More a perversion of power mixed with desire than anything else.  I imagine the situation would definitely be the same if young females were widely available in Afghanistan.  Young adolescent males are sexually attractive in such dominance-oriented culture as a signifier of one\'s place in a rigid hierarchy.  Pedophilia and social power-holding.  An awful combination.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 09:26"},{"nm":"Paul","rs":"0","ms":"I would greatly appreciate further explanation as to the discussions/negotiations between Najibullah, Dastager, and Mestery that led to such unprecedented access into the bacha bazi world. Why were the informants so transparent with Najibullah? What did they stand to gain?\n","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 08:22"},{"nm":"HRA","rs":"0","ms":"This was very hard to watch since I am originally from that part of the world. Yet, I implore my readers, that this is not reflective of Islam or Muslims at all. Like any parents out there (in my case I happen to be Muslim), we too love our children immensely and this is no \'cultural\' thing either... it is the work of the sick minded and depraved, period. I wish there was a way to bring these predators to justice.\n\nAfghanistan is a country ravaged by War and many of the warlords show are just that - they operate with impunity and it was very hard to watch the extent of the damage they have inflicted upon the social fabric of life there. I also want to say that the \'Kite Runner\' book is fiction, and sadly, made for American consumption. Certain parts in the book are sensationalized to pique the interest of readers but do not happen in real life, so please don\'t take that as your sole definitive reference to Islam, Muslims and Afghanistan. Instead, I would encourage people to talk to get to know Muslims around their communities and see for yourself.\n\nShort of writing an entire Thesis here, the bottom line is that Afghanistan is a lawless place where life is cheap, warlords are the \'authorities\' and decades of war and external pressures have instilled a escapism built upon drugs and violence. For all their faults, the Taliban did enjoy a lot of support in the local populations because of their ruthless opposition to drugs, prostitution and this sort of depravity. While we are entranced by videos of them flogging women in public, they did provide a form of Law & Order that worked for the ordinary Afghan on the street. The average Afghani could work and feed their family, for a country ravaged by so much unrest for so long, that much was a God-send. (Note I\'m not condoning the Taliban). Until the ordinary guy on the street is protected from these warlords, this and much worse will continue to make Afghanistan a hell.","pt":"Apr 22, 2010 00:23"},{"nm":"David Cornsilk","rs":"0","ms":"The point is not missed, at least by me, that this sort of thing would happen in a gender segregated society, particularly where women are completely veiled.  Men in prison resort to homosexuality to not only satisfy their sexual needs, but also to gain power and position.  The men of Afganistan are suffering in a religious prison.  While I don\'t see anything wrong with "dancing boys" at weddings, considering their religious prohibition of mixing the sexes, the problem, the crime, is that boys are forced to participate, bought and sold into slavery; and the most disgusting thing is the sexual exploitation of the innocents.  If boys were trained to dance for weddings and other events by choice, earning money for their families or an education, we would not bat an eye at what would be viewed simply as a cultural event.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 22:25"},{"nm":"Jean","rs":"0","ms":"In light of this tragic reality, are we to say that Afghanistan is better off now then it was under the Taliban regime? Has the cost of changing the regime in Afghanistan being to high? ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 22:16"},{"nm":"Edithann","rs":"0","ms":"This seems to be endemic within the Arab Culture...but is it? We have it in all areas...All religions are guilty where children are at the mercy of male authorities...Even the Boy Scouts are noted recently but have had problems for years.\n\nIS IT THE MALE OF THE SPECIES?\n\nEdithann","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 21:59"},{"nm":"nasima rahman","rs":"0","ms":"dear frontline,mr najibullah and mr doran,\n\ni couldn\'t help but to come back to this page.to\ncongratulate all of you.to tell how grateful we \nare for the heartbreaking story.superb,excellent\njob. please keep it up. had i had power i would \ngive you noble prize. thank you.\ntruly\nnasima.\n","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 21:50"},{"nm":"Nick","rs":"0","ms":"Why did the informants (Mestery, Dastager) speak with Najibullah?  Why did they accept the explanation that they were making a film about the practice in Europe? And why would this deceptive explanation lead to such remarkable access to the bacha bazi world, especially if the practice is illegal and taboo? And why would men (especially Rafi) at the bacha bazi event consent to being filmed? \n\nI suspect the producers are deceiving us about the conditions upon which they had remarkable access.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 20:09"},{"nm":"maria","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for this insightful documentary and hope it brings about to these beasts in Afghan punishement; & justice to people who do not have a voice, defenseless children & women; such corruption needs to be exposed world over and\nshamed.  My prayers to mothers & sons, that this type of mind set is made known world wide & shame these political leaders, police all involved.  A million thanks Frontline for awareness....maria ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 19:26"},{"nm":"Mary M.","rs":"0","ms":"As someone who has followed your careers for awhile, I am very glad to see that you are well, and still involved in covering Afghanistan\'s plight.  Your documentary on the events of late 2001 remains seared on the conscience.  Has there ever been any interest, or any effort whatsoever, in justice for the victims of that atrocity?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 18:49"},{"nm":"gg","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for the bravery to provide such an informative program.\n\nPerspective:  Back in the 1200\'s Marco Polo wrote of the availaility of "groomed" young boys sold by their families to traveling caravans and "a well-off provider" who could take and dispose of boys anywhere in their travels.\n\nToday, with Taliban cultural taboos of women not even being seen or available for social, educational interaction with males, perhaps this becomes a substitute for female company in these all-male war zones?  These boys still looked like boys, their dancing was clumsy and they wore just enough "female" attire to simulate feminine company.  But if you never get to see living women or even media showing them, perhaps they don\'t even know how to appreciate feminine grace and mannerisms--just seeking a reason for this behavior, not condoning it.  Opinions wanted here.\n\nCambodia is fast replacing Thailand as a safer, more secretive\nplace to pursue boys and children.  Phillipinos have long sold their children to Arabs and Japanese, perhaps to do housework, perhaps not.  In cults and secretive places all over our country and others, we are able to find evidence of similar\npractices.\n\nPutting these acts out in the daylight can help us end it.\n\nThank you.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 18:14"},{"nm":"thought451","rs":"0","ms":"Are we really having any good effect with our presence in Afghanistan? I sat and watched the program because I will not avoid knowledge no matter how hard it is to take. How does a society move from a thugocrazy to a better system? On this I think most viewers can agree with the Taliban this practise should be stopped. Can no shelters be created for the powerless poor?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 17:54"},{"nm":"Aisha","rs":"0","ms":"Tvashter-- I agree, but it would be a bit helpful if the government of Afghanistan actually took steps to punish these people and try to bring order into the system. The boys\' families are desperate and even though it doesn\'t justify anything, I suppose they have no other choice in order to survive. It is very sad, but we cannot blame the victims or other civilians for things that the rich and powerful do. As the saying goes, "united we stand, divided we fall." Afghanistan can\'t become "part of the civilized world" unless its politicians endeavor to do so. People can\'t just change the world on their own. Money talks, b.s. walks.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 16:42"},{"nm":"Aisha","rs":"0","ms":"To Manny--\nNo, it is not a Pashtun problem. Yes, it is homosexuality, I don\'t know how else to regard sodomy or the fact that they derive pleasure from such acts. You have probably read the Kite Runner and are brainwashed by it. Homosexuality does not pertain to only one area of Afghanistan, as it is not indigenous to only one area in the States. By the way, the people in this video were not even speaking Pashto, the language of Pashtuns. As for the others, of course, this is not Islamic nor is it condoned by Afghans. THey mention in the video that bacha bazi is taboo, and it is because nobody would ever think that an Afghan would commit such an act or take pleasure in it. This is forbidden in Islam, and Afghans as well as other human beings with half a brain dissapprove of it. No religion would allow it, if you did not already know that.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 16:33"},{"nm":"Sharon","rs":"0","ms":"I missed the first few minutes of this film. When I began watching was when the teenage boy was being dressed by Dastager and I thought I must have misread the captioning on the screen. When they began singing about "desiring" the boy I was shocked. Seeing how easily those perverts were able to persuade Safiq\'s family to sell their child was horrifying. And the wedding footage where the local police were watching the dancing was disgusting. How corrupt is the Afghan political infrastructure? If the government can\'t/won\'t identify and stop these monsters then maybe American soldiers should be doing the job. Otherwise what lasting effect does our military presence offer these people? I applaud the reporter(s) and director of this documentary for their bravery and vision. Please continue to bring our attention to these atrocities. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 16:08"},{"nm":"Brian","rs":"0","ms":"Thanks to Frontline for once again setting the standard for investigative reporting.  My heart goes out to the boys who are forced by their parents into sexual slavery but also this is really not much different than sending a 12 year old girl off to be married?  What we consider in the west to be disgusting abuse was once considered an honorable way of mentoring younger men in Greece, it has evolved into slavery because such an open relationship is forbidden.  I think the slavery and violence is of more concern than the sex, if homosexuals and women were treated as equals then such abusive practices would become extinct.  Until Gay and Womens rights are universal then abuse of girls and boys will continue.  My great respect to the producers and reporter for their personal bravery and donations for the boy in question.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 15:52"},{"nm":"Robyn D","rs":"0","ms":"As the late, great Paul Harvey always said .. "It is not one world". I found it very difficult to watch those twisted and filthy animals who violate young boys for sexual and political power. No wonder life is so cheap in Afghantistan. The powerful kidnap, rape and murder at will. How sad to have to thank G-d for a man like Mestary who did do the right thing to help Shafiq. But really, this kind of story makes me want to leave the lot of them to rot in their third world hell. What a monumental task to bring illiterate, ignorant, criminal, tribal, superstitious people up to speed with the most basic of human behaviors of the rest of this rotten world. And when our learned priests and politicians act the same way you have to ask, what\'s the point. The suffering and actions of these people (and they exist in all cultures and societies) is starting to overwhelm me. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 15:22"},{"nm":"manny ","rs":"0","ms":"i guess my first quessions is, is this an islam or just an afghanistan tradition?\ndo you think it has does it have to do w/homosexuality? because last time i checked, it sounds like homosexuality.\nin other words, why boys? why not young girls?\nalso, I know that country is very ethnically diverse. is this a pashtun problem. in other words do is it pashtun men w/ pashtun boys? or pashtun on hazara? or hazara on pashtun? or is ethnicity irrelevant? \nthanks for your help.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 15:19"},{"nm":"Gena Seidenschwarz","rs":"0","ms":"Najibullah has immeasurable courage.  I too had difficulty sleeping last night. It is so important that you did this report.  I was remended of Caleb Carr\'s book "the Alienist" which is about this type of practice taking place in New York City in the early part of the last century.  Perverts are not exclusive to Afghanistan and children are vulnerable all over the world.  But perhaps it is more difficult to prosecute in Afghanistan.  I realize that pedophilia, transvestism and misogynism are not the same thing but perhaps the world did not hate women so much things would be better.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 14:45"},{"nm":"L.","rs":"0","ms":"I am so enraged when I saw this documentary. Thank you for showing this to the world! It must be stopped, anywhere in the world that are being exploited to the children! I felt so bad for those boys who had to go through like this horror life and those men who are cruel, they are the most cowards men Ive ever seen. I am so angered by the way it is handled and UN are not doing anything to protect children from the harm and from those sickly men.\n\nYoung girls and boys do not deserve to be treated like garbage. Please keep doing what you need to do and keep fighting back and do not give  up! I am so grossed by it and thank you so much for opening my eyes.\n\nL","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 14:07"},{"nm":"G.WHITE","rs":"0","ms":"why are we defending these ppl.? seems to me the taliban was protecting more then harming as these men are doing.  makes me reflect back to boystown USA and how h.w. bush and his father had dealings w/these ppl. so long ago...zapata oil.  h.w. is out to pervert the world as the leave no child behind act was established while clinton repealed laws to protect the familiar.  i watched PBS after sch. everyday as clips of the hitler camps exposed then lost in space along w/star trek.  thanks so much to all who do the work and contribute.  for me i was born on the black list and sure i am on all the color coded list now.  as i told ted kennedy who liked his young girls/minors re; see george green, told him i was snared by every trap they set for me.  i am unable to contribute monies but i sure wish i could being one of the best causes yet.  keep this going please...   ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 14:05"},{"nm":"Noel J Johnson","rs":"0","ms":"Dear Najibullah,I am so glad you fully recovered from your injury while researching "Convoy of Death".May your efforts be met with success.I have two questions.1)Did you find hints of this practice among Commander Milwas and the Central Group during your visit there?2)Is Convoy of Death for sale/donation on DVD?I can only locate low  grade you tube versions.\nAllow me to say anytime something drags a reaction from me it is because of the ability it has to hit a emotion or has a ring of truth.Your reporting,and Mr.Doran\'s producing,always provoke a strong response.A real reaching out to relate another beings experiance and lifestory.Journalism with the truth always hits home.Great work.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:39"},{"nm":"Tvashtar","rs":"0","ms":"this was an amazing report and disturbing on every level. we want to believe that evil is being eliminated from the world, but it is always hiding in the shadows. i realize prostitution is in every city, but this country seems to personify the worst of everything year after year. \n\nwe shouldn\'t be too surprised to learn another form of exploitation has been created, especially in a region of inhumanity that is historically corrupt. generations of abject poverty, perpetual internal wars, intentional female illiteracy, economic society based on poppy plants, open slavery of children, burka covered women treated like chattel, police and political corruption to the core, islam practised in name only with no real moral compass and the list goes on until laws serve no purpose. \n\nwill this country ever turn around and become part of the civilized world?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:36"},{"nm":"Brad Hagen","rs":"0","ms":"I think its important not to use the term "Muslims" when referring to the practitioners of sexual misconduct between an adult male and a young boy. Its like using the word "Christians" in relation to Ku Klux Klan activity. The Klan is a self-proclaimed Christian group, but in no way do the vast majority of Christians around the world condone or relate to its activity. Yes, Afghanistan is an Islamic country, but cultural practices and the treatment of women and children are vastly different from one Islamic country to the next. I think its extremely important to not generalize the situation in Afghanistan to other areas of the Middle East, and to not associate it with Muslims as a group. \nI think in any society where women and men are heavily segregated and women have no rights, this practice exists. A historical example of this same thing in the West was the practice of pederasty in ancient Greece. Men would choose a boy to mentor and would also regularly engage in sexual activity with them often whether they liked it or not. One of the great Greek philosophers (I think Plato) even condemns the practice in his writings. \nOnce women are empowered such disgusting practices can\'t exist. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:31"},{"nm":"JAMI","rs":"0","ms":"Please tell me...what is the future for these unfortuante boys after they have matured and are no longer "attractive" to the abusers? Are they shunned by their families? Are they social outcasts?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:07"},{"nm":"sumera ","rs":"0","ms":"Your documentary was insightfull and disturbing, however, several of the comments posted above do not distinguish between religious and cultural practices. Unfortunatly some of your viewers have decided to equate the practice of bacha bazi with their own limited and illinformed notions of Islam and Muslims. I don\'t believe that there is anything Frontline could have done differently to avoid this, as it was made abundantly clear in the documnetary that the practice is considered abhorant by Afhghan society in general,hence its  designation as taboo, and that it was aggrssivbely targeted by the Taliban which speaks to the Islamic opposition of such activities. it is not nessesary to equate everything a Muslim does with Islam and the global Muslim community! Thus,those viewers that insist on bringing Islamic doctrine or Muslim values into the discusson should keep these basic facts in mind. Muslims are a vast and diverse group of people that occupy the entirety of the globe and express various societal practices. Many of them -Arab and non-Arab- have never even heard of such pederastic practices let alone engage in them!\nCommon Sense","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:04"},{"nm":"Audrey Bloodworth","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for your documentary, i could not sleep after watching the helpless children no one could rescue, i was so mad no one could rescue that little boy he was left with these evil people for a year thanks to frontline for his rescue,what can you do even when police,goverment high officals are involved,what chance has these poor kids got,these people should be brought to justice.thanks to frontline for the awareness.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 13:04"},{"nm":"Jodi","rs":"0","ms":"I cried the whole time I watched this and everytime I think about it. I will pray for all of those boys and hope that someday my prayers will no longer be necessary...","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:46"},{"nm":" M.V.","rs":"0","ms":" \n      As was said by several of the men presented in the documentary, Afghan women have little influence\n  and seemingly no power over decisions made over them or their children. They seemed to me as ghostly\n  figures spoken for, but never heard. They seem as part of a machine that supplies the raw material for\n  an infernal industry controlled by men who back their will with violence. That said, the sex trade in \n  the West is no less dangerous or despicable, and is its hideous twin.\n         People who wield such power have a way of banishing conscience in the here-and-now...Muslims\n  and Christians alike.\n  \n  \n  \n  \n      \n   \n   ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:43"},{"nm":"Aghast but not Surprised","rs":"0","ms":"The sexual exploitation of children continues to occur across the world, including the U.S.  Because this film features boys and not girls, it is particularly shocking to some, but it is no different than families in many cultures who marry off their young daughters at 11 and 12-years-old.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:38"},{"nm":"Ricardo Ramos","rs":"0","ms":"There is very little about Afghan sex/sexuality/gender ideas and practices I find palatable. Did no other viewers notice the mother of a dead boy in full burqa with even her eyes shielded? As long as women are so constrained, men in the area (also Uzbekistan) are going to turn to boys. This is part of traditional culture, and I\'d bet a great deal that Taliban leaders as well as Northern Alliance opponents had young male "sex slaves" to use the term from the program. Is it our place to force change either on the epiphenomenon of batcha-bazi or on the Afghan sex/gender system?\n\nAnd everyone applauds the abuse of trust and hospitality by the filmmakers?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:32"},{"nm":"EA","rs":"0","ms":"This documentary was amazing, but at the same time extremely disturbing. It is so sad how the lives of these children are completely destroyed; and to hear the men talk about how women have no voice was also very upsetting.  I can only imagine the grief and terror both mother and child feel when the child is taken. Thank you Frontline for this eye-opening documentary. Thank you for rescuing Shafiq.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:29"},{"nm":"Judith","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for having the courage and dedication to make this film!  It must have been risky, and I worried about your safety while watching.  It\'s wonderful that you were able to help one boy, but there must be thousands in the same situation in Afghanistan.  Is there any organization or government agency that helps in any way?  \n\nChild sexual abuse and sexual slavery are institutionalized in many countries and cultures.  But it seems that the conditions of extreme, widespread poverty, years of war and strife, government corruption, and the tribal areas ruled by powerful warlords, could make this practice much harder to end.  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:26"},{"nm":"LC","rs":"0","ms":"I also thought what brave men the producers, reporters, directors of this documentary are.  It totally breaks my heart to see these poor boys suffer so horribly.  I have already prayed and will continue to pray for the end to this diabolical practice.   ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 12:08"},{"nm":"Jungraiz Pukhtunyar","rs":"0","ms":"Hats off to Mr Najibullah Quraishi for this brave report. I also had the opportunity to see other frontline work done by Mr Qureshi, the danger he puts himself into get the word out about some of the most important issues in that part of the world is just amazing.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 11:59"},{"nm":"Sandy","rs":"0","ms":"This was a very difficult movie to watch. There were times when I just wanted to turn the television off. It was a very powerful movie and I want to learn more about how we can help these children escape from the grasps of these horrendous men. This is a practice that is not only ignorant but forever damaging in these young boys lives. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 11:42"},{"nm":"Titch Dharamsi","rs":"0","ms":"Dear Dyann Brown, regarding your comment:"A friend of mine told me years ago, how Muslims engage in bi-sexual activity. He told me they view women only as a way to have children, boy did this film confirm this..It is sad,my heart aches,..."\n\nCould it really be true that child sexual abuse and slavery is exclusively perpetrated by Muslims, or is endemic to Islam?  I hope not.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 11:33"},{"nm":"Concerned International Citizen","rs":"0","ms":"How many Rafiqs are there that are sleeping with the enemy tonight?  Thank you Frontline for exposing this disgusting practice...forcing young boys into homosexuality is immoral...I wonder what kind of practices exist to abuse poor young girls?  I know they are married off as ealry as 3 years old but I wonder???\nAgain thank you.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 11:19"},{"nm":"dyann brown","rs":"0","ms":"A friend of mine told me years ago, how Muslims engage in bi-sexual activity. He told me they view women only as a  way to have children, boy did this film confirm this..It is sad,my heart aches,...","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 11:00"},{"nm":"Angela deVictoria","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for this spellbinding documentary! Again it is the children we see suffering when a country is implouding.Allah  has taken a vaction when when it comes to Afganistan. What brave men the documentary producers and directors are. My character was certainly enriched by theirs efforts to save these unfortunate victims! I will share this documentary with my family and friends! I feel so blessed to live in the United States! My prays are with you! \n\nAngela R. deVictoria\n","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 10:52"},{"nm":"NQ","rs":"0","ms":"I totally lost my sleep. Cant even think of any society haveing such sickness. I am utterly disgusted to see that every other person involves in this sickness. They are the people who has no fear of God and using innocent little children to satisfy them. I really want to thank you guys for makeing such an amazing, though-provoking and an eye-opening documentary and to show the world what is happening there. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 10:31"},{"nm":"SL","rs":"0","ms":"A week ago I finished reading \'The Kite Runner\'. I thought that the part of the story relating to this practice was just the author\'s way of making the story more colorful and unforgettable. It was a wonderful book. Last night I saw the reality of what the author was portraying in the fictional novel. I was sure something like this went on but was completely unaware of how widespread this immoral behavior was. Thank you for making this documentary and I pray that it will lead to healthy solutions for these children. Please continue this work but make sure that there is some way for the public/organizations to help. Otherwise the documentary was done in vain. I am glad that one boy was rescued. I am saddened that there is no Afganistani in Afghanistan who is concerned about the future/children of the country as a whole and isn\'t aggressivly trying to change this horrible practice. All cultural traditions are not good ones...especially when they ruin/destroy the spirit of women and children. I also ask where are the Muslim leaders...why are they so quiet when it comes to this? Taboo or not, they must be able to condemn or condone the practice. If they are silent they are condoning it. Prayers continue for the children and also for the sinful adults involved to find the path of morality.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 10:23"},{"nm":"Beth Snow","rs":"0","ms":"After watching Frontline last night, I have posted a comment on my facebook page about Bacha Bazi.  I had never heard about this before and am sure there are many more that had no idea this was going on.  This is so unbelievable to comprehend as a Canadian, a human, a mother.  We must all talk about this,  tell people, teach people, let the world know.  If not you and I, then who?  These boys are broken, their families broken and their country broken,, we MUST try and fix them.  I had mixed feeling about my nephew going over there again to serve in the army.  But I realized last night why he must.  And why we all must reach out and help the people of Afghanistan. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 10:15"},{"nm":"Nancy","rs":"0","ms":"Now we have a more accurate picture of the corruption in Afghanistan: government officials not only turning a blind eye to an illegal and sickening activity, but participating in it themselves.  Bacha bazi is an example of what happens when women have no power.  What can we do??","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 10:09"},{"nm":"Ann","rs":"0","ms":"This was an amazing story. I could not help but think all the time watching it that we are sacrificing men and women every day to liberate this country? I appreciate your producers thoughtful debate in disguising the boy\'s identity.\n","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 09:13"},{"nm":"David Cline","rs":"0","ms":"I wonder how Dastager might feel if one of his own children was forced into Bacha Bazi?  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 09:00"},{"nm":"Erna","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for presenting the Dancing Boys of Afghanistan story that was very disturbing.  Make me nauseated of these savages including the fathers that sell their own  children.  These savages should be in prison for sodomizing the inocent children.  \n\nThank you, for bringing such superb documentaries to PBS.  The Frontline is the world\'s best broadcasters of television journalism.\nErna","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 08:42"},{"nm":"Macy","rs":"0","ms":"First of all thank you Frontline crew for this eye opening program to the world.  I felt that due to this story taking place in a country that is  based on Islamic rules, people shouldn\'t make the judgment of this only happening in the Islamic countries and under the Islamic laws!! Haven\'t we been watching and hearing the news about our Christian world of service men to the Lord doing similar stuff?  Isn\'t it a shame that for the longest time Vatican either ignored or put it under the rug until now it has even gotten worse???!!!  We don\'t need to go far to look at such scenarios as we do just as well or worse practices as the rest of the world right here at HOME, USA!!!!!!\nNeedless to say that it is sickening no matter where this is happening and I hope to see our world change with the wider and freer coverage of more news as such to expose these criminals and bring more shame to them worldwide.\nthx a mil\nMacy ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 08:08"},{"nm":"Thomas Arden","rs":"0","ms":"The fact of the matter is that the government of Afghanistan can not stop this from happening. The perpetrators are immensely powerful warlords and businessmen in a country of helpless people. With that being said, I honestly believe that the Taliban would be the only force to put an end to this disgusting practice. I wouldn\'t shed a tear if I had to watch men like Dastager and Rafi facing the quick and brutal "justice" of the Taliban. I hate the Taliban as much as I hate child molesters but unfortunately that is the truth as. Najibullah should\'ve  sent a copy of this program to the Taliban.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 06:03"},{"nm":"Faithful Frontline Supporter","rs":"0","ms":"Frontline, Bill Moyers, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley, NOW, Newshour and many more insightful media choices are why I feel compelled to give my donation to PBS. I never cease to learn. America can be so bubble-like where a cat stuck in a tree can be talked about for 10 min on my local news station. Thank you for shedding light on such atrocity to young children. It pains me to see what these poor children are going though and relieved to know Frontline did your part to reveal this dangerous taboo topic and help a child. I have utmost respect and admiration for the Frontline team and especially the reporter Najibullah Quraishi.\n\nTo the other comments made here, the reason this goes on is due to economic distress by the populous. People are so desperate they do anything then sometimes regret it later, as we see in Shafiq\'s mother. Thailand has erroneous records of child prostitution and women trafficking. People sell their children knowing the outcome. I hope one day fairness and justice can come to those children and women living under such suppression. I truly believe until economic situation can improve offering people choices, such abuses will keep going on.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 04:51"},{"nm":"Gregory Hall","rs":"0","ms":"Dear Frontline:\n\nThank you for presenting "Dancing Boys of Afghanistan".\n\nYour documentary succeeds in bringing such despicable abuse of\n\nchildren, "out of the closet".  While I have no qualms about consenting same sex adults\nbeing intimate with one another, making sex slaves out of young underage boys\nis an entirely different matter.\n\nI wonder how many of our Afghan based military are aware of this seemingly common\npractice of young boys being sexually abused.  \n\nI have been informed that adult males engaging in sex with young boys, is actually\ncommon in Muslim countries.  It is not unusual for married men with children,\nto have a young male lover, outside of the house.  Many of these married men\nfully support their younger male lovers.\n\nFrontline performs a major service, in keeping the public informed.\n\nI condider Frontline to be among the world\'s best broadcasters of television\njournalism.\n\nPlease accept my sincere thanks for bringing such superb documentaries to PBS. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 03:58"},{"nm":"Ri","rs":"0","ms":"I am so grateful for PBS and its courageous programming.  With programs such as Frontline, and this tragic piece in particular, we viewers are truly being exposed to stories and in-depth reporting that we are not typically (or at least consistently) receiving anywhere else.  Inasmuch as I alternated between a boiling fit of rage, profound unspeakable sadness, and sheer horror at this story, I am grateful to Najibullah Qarishi (spelling?) for exposing this sad reality of rape and injustice against these poor and innocent boys in Afghanistan.  What I am reminded of is just how vile one can become with power and money, (w/without the cloak of religion).  Think Catholic abuse scandal, but also consider Thailand and sex tourism, and "missionaries" in Haiti recently making headline news for practices along the same lines.  Although not "Baccha Bazi", it\'s sick no matter the name, or where it\'s found.  Exploitation and abuse of children is the most heinous of acts.  So sad!","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 03:20"},{"nm":"Fred P","rs":"0","ms":"You report brought my wife and I to tears. It\'s a disaster! Families selling their young boys to prostitution and talking about it in front of camera is hard to digest! I am so happy that there are people like you (Mr. Quraishi) who dare to face the evil and show the many faces of evil to the world. God bless you.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 02:42"},{"nm":"ASA","rs":"0","ms":"These people are not Muslims by belief or practice, just by name.  They are thugs and criminal pedophiles and drug lords who happened to carry Muslim names and live in a Muslim majority country.  Such criminal thugs exists in all religions and countries. But it does not mean that their religion encourages or allows them to engage in such despicable and inhumane acts. Some Catholic priests abusing children sexually and physically does not mean that all Catholics are child abusers or Catholicism allows child abuse. Unfortunately, these are the kind of people that Karzai has surrounded himself with.  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 02:40"},{"nm":"Laura","rs":"0","ms":"I had a friend whose parents were French and she was brought up in Morocco. She told me (years ago) that Moroccans don\'t go to see women dance, they go to see young boys.  She said that Arabs in general look down on women as chattel and are used to bear children but when the men fall in love, they fall in love with little boys. I could not believe this but after seeing this film, I think that she was telling the truth. I do not think this type of culture and belief system is compatible with our way of life as so much of it is based on abuse of women and children.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 01:58"},{"nm":"Ali","rs":"0","ms":"Thanks for the wonderful and very disturbing film.  I am a 40 year old male Afghan living in the US.  I have to disagree with blaming the Pakistan and Jihad time against The Russians as the source and or rebirth of this old inhumane tradition.  Back in the mid to late 70\'s, I was a young boy living in Kabul, we were always warned to watch out for the "BACHA BAZ HA" men who liked the boys.  It is taboo to talk about it, but it is a reality.  I was unable to convince my afghan friend to watch the documentary with me, because he thinks it is another western propaganda to attack the Afghan Culture. BACHA BAZI is a cancer that has infected the afghan culture for many decades if not centuries. It is popular in Kandahar (south) Mazar(north), Herat in the west and I am sure in all of Afghanistan, including Kabul.  I agree with DD and ISR, Islam is not to be blamed for the acts of a few monsters, and I disagree with the notion the our American soldiers and their Canadian brethren are protecting and defending these acts.  We see young boys as young as 5 and 6 being sold in sex trades for the pleasures of the rich Western Tourists visiting Burma and Thailand for the sole purpose of having sex with young children.  I hope that the viewers do not come to the conclusions that somehow Islam is to be blamed as we know the acts of a few Monsters disguised in the robes of priest will never tarnish the good IBRAHIMIC religion of Christianity.  Thank you again for the excellent work and May Allah Bless AND PROTECT US ALL. \n((BUT WHY A MUJAHID WHO WANTS TO SACRIFICE HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS? This is a question that will always haunt me and even put their JEHAD motives on trial in my mind..... ))    ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 01:54"},{"nm":"Melissa","rs":"0","ms":"I wanted to extend my extreme gratitude and respect for your comprehensive and careful investigation of this horrific crime against children.  Protection and care of children should be the most prominent theme and purpose in all of our lives.  Your program is exceptional in that it notes how women are the most powerful voices of protection and concern in the lives of children, and when they have been silenced, destruction of the most vulnerable quickly follows.  Thank you for your excellent work for true social justice.  Please let me know if there is ever a way in which I can help.\n\nSincerely,\nMelissa Lynch","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 01:49"},{"nm":"MICHELE P","rs":"0","ms":" I ALMOST DID NOT WATCH. BUT NOW I AM WRITING EVERYONE I KNOW TO WRITE TO THEIR LEADERS TO PRESSURE THE AFGAN GOVERNMENT AND OUR OWN AND ALL GOVERMENT LEADERS TO PRESSURE AFGAN LEADERS TO PUT A STOP NOW TO THIS HORRIBLE CRIME AGAINST INNOCENT YOUNG CHILDREN AND SHAME ON AFGANISTAN FOR ALLOWING THIS. WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE CRIME ENOUGH , THE HORRIFIC ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND WE NEED TO PRESSURE LEADERS TO PUT AN END TO THE CORRUPTION AND THIS. MAYBE WITH HUNDREDS WRTIING TO LEADERS SOMETHING CAN , WILL, BE DONE. I PRAY FOR THIS. SHAME ON AFGANISTAN AND SHAME ON THE THOSE WHO HAVE ALLOWED THIS ..  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 01:48"},{"nm":"Patrick","rs":"0","ms":"Mestary, Dastager, and Rafi are souless disgusting men.  Nothing more than brutal pigs.  Gee...bored mujahideen?  Couldn\'t they take up checkers?  Reading perhaps?  Possibly dental hygiene?  "Hey Mestary, I\'m bored...lets put your wifes outfit on that boy and have him dance for us!"  I don\'t care if it goes back a thousand years.  Universal principles are unwavering.  I wish the young boy luck although I doubt it unless his Mother puts a righteous beat down on her disgusting husband.  Thank you to Mr. Doran, Mr. Quraishi and Frontline for courageous programing.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:56"},{"nm":"Emmy Hashimi","rs":"0","ms":"According to research, the concept of "Bacha Bazi" or "boy play", or homeosxuality, was brought to the region by the ancient Greeks during the time of Alexander the Great. For the ancient Greeks, homosexuality was a natural part of their culture. As time past, the concept mixed with the culture of the land known as Afghanistan today, and the idea of dancing boys came about.  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:53"},{"nm":"christina","rs":"0","ms":"i am still trying to sit comfortable with my thoughts and feelings over this disgustingness.  my heart breaks, over and over again, for any child who is abused, and this is a new form of human enslavement to add to the many already in practice all over the world.  i wish the problem was only in afghanistan, or that it could be limited to certain religions...but it is a human problem.  \n\nuntil every human being is able to love and cherish every child\'s life, and the joy and freedom they are born with...i know that the world will not be a very wonderful one much longer.  when a child thinks that being a prostitute is a good choice for their lives, something is fundamentally and inherently wrong, and evil has taken hold of them and those around them.  \n\nwe must ALL do our part for children.  i myself am a CASA volunteer for abused children and i know i can do more and i will not rest until i have done all i can for every child i am able to.  will you do the same?  i pray that all of you with amazing hearts and souls will help at least one child in your lifetime.  this abuse has to stop. ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:53"},{"nm":"shauna","rs":"0","ms":"I have never heard of Bacha Bazi until this film. Thank you for bringing attention to such a tragic situation. This Bacha Bazi is exploiting the poor and orphaned to the highest degree. All I ever heard Dastager speak of was his obsessive desires for boys. It was so disturbing. The human heart can be so very dark. I have been praying for these boys and all the poor and orphaned since I watched this tonight. Please keep updating on the life of this young boy who was rescued. I have to believe that if it weren\'t for you, this boy would be dead or worse, a slave to disturbed men and their obsessive desire to do evil for their pleasure. Thank you again for such great work on your part. You have saved many lives b/c of this film. May God be with you and your work in the future and may He bring you great success.\nWith much love,\nShauna","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:36"},{"nm":"Junia","rs":"0","ms":""The Kite Runner" is partially about this horrible practice and the damage done to one boy who is rescued and brought to the US. While it is fiction, it is happening many times over. Get your friends to read this book to expose the darkness of this practice, so that it can be stopped and healing can happen. In the West we benefit from child slavery and support it unknowingly, because slaves make some/many of our cheap products. We will have to sacrifice if we want to abolish slavery today.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:21"},{"nm":"DR","rs":"0","ms":"This was so interesting, and so sad. Up to now, I have read about the sexual abuse of female children,which is a daily occurrence in I tried to help out an 11 year old girl who had been sold in \'marriage\' to a 48 year old when she was nine years old. She tried to commit suicide by burning herself, and was taken to a shelter by her brave sister in law. The girl requires a lot of reconstructive surgery from being raped repeatedly. Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for children.  The religious leaders could,I think do something about this. People ned to be informed, and to speak out.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:21"},{"nm":"SeanKH","rs":"0","ms":"Wow, just wow. I\'m still trying to recover mentally and emotionally from watching this program. My mind is still trying to conceive how in God\'s name can any adult in good conscience, allow themselves to treat children like this? Then I\'m brought back to reality. There are many different minds and spirits in this world, and unfortunately not all are civil. \n\nI keep thinking, after the Taliban has been defeated, after the wars are over, after the tribal leaders have all made peace, this is what the society has to look forward to? God help us all.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:19"},{"nm":"Anna","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you Najibullah Quraish and Frontline producers.  ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:16"},{"nm":"Anonymous","rs":"0","ms":"I agree that Frontline\'s presentation was compelling and thought-provoking. Are there others wondering if the significant subjugation of women in the conservative Islamic tradition has led to the abuse of young men?  I also can\'t help but wonder if there is any correlation between the boys recruited to "dance" and the Islamic men angry enough to join the Taliban? ","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:14"},{"nm":"kenneth","rs":"0","ms":"Things were alot better for the Bacha Bazi boyz under the Taliban, we should try and help the Taliban come back to power in Afghanistan.","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:05"},{"nm":"GMS","rs":"0","ms":"Frontline, thank you so much for shedding light to such abhorrent practices involved in Bacha Bazi. It is shocking to hear that not only is the practice is accepatble, but beloved by those who have the means and the power to abuse these boys. I especially found it disheartening that one boy plans on becoming their own owner of boys when he turns 18. This cycle is being bred to continue, and I hope this film will help to end this monstracity.\n\nI\'d also like to the pose the question of how wide-spread is homesxuality practiced and/or accepeted within the Muslim countries? And are only boys affected by sexual slavery in Muslim socities?\n\nThank you for sharing the truth with the world.\n\nGMS","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:03"},{"nm":"voltairine","rs":"0","ms":"Another excellent inside story from Frontline, as I would expect. I am so glad that Shafiq is safe, but mourn for the thousands of boys, past and present, who weren\'t so lucky. \n\nBut I am amazed at the naivete of people commenting here. Why are they so surprised that something like this is happening in a Muslim country? Here in the US, numerous male politicians who identified themselves as conservative Christians with "family values" have ruined their careers with sex scandals -- several in homosexual sex scandals. These politicians have voted to send American soldiers -- sons, brothers, and fathers -- to war in other countries to protect their freedom to flout American family values. And our own military forces have shocking rates of sexual assault of female soldiers. If our own American men can\'t maintain moral behavior, why would we expect it of a nation we invaded and occupy? Why should Afghanistan be held to a standard of strict Islamic adherence, when American males don\'t similarly obey Christian morals and ethics?","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:02"},{"nm":"MRS. JEANNE M. STORM","rs":"0","ms":"Having recently watched the Anne Frank Diary on VPT, and now this program, and  also as a  contributor to the Humane Society for the protection of animals and with a daughter who works for an animal shelter in Indiana, it boggles my mind that there is still  such cruelty to fellow human beings.  To those who wonder how these Muslim men can participate in such a practice- please remember that the educated people of Germany, and supposedly Christian, looked the other way when Hitler started persecuting the Jews, and if I remember correctly FDR refused to grant entry to the US for a ship of Jewish people fleeing Germany.  And, how about the American born people of Japanese descent who were placed in camps after Pearl Harbor. Cruelty to fellow human beings appears to be widespread regardless of nationality or sex.  We have never really compensated the native people of the U.S. either have we?  Man\'s inhumanity to man truly is incredible!! Incidentally,  my maternal grandfather who left Germany when only 15 yrs. rather than be cons\cripted in the Kaiser\'s army; and who had nephews who committed suicide rather than fight in WWI,  told my sister-in-law, of Polish descent, that he was ashamed of being German, when Hitler\'s army invaded Poland.  It is hard to comprehend just how little we have evolved from our prehistoric ancestors!!!","pt":"Apr 21, 2010 00:01"},{"nm":"AG","rs":"0","ms":"Jean, you are equivocating.  What Catholic priests have done to children in the West is exactly the same vile abuse that is being done to the boys in this film, whether it involves, as you claim, "a small handful of priests" or \'rooms full" of Afghans. You don\'t know the numbers of children affected in either case. You ask how they can reconcile this with their Muslim faith, well, how do these priests reconcile their Catholicism with their acts? \n\n The producers of the film made it clear that this custom is taboo in Afghanistan and practised covertly. Child abuse in our part of the world is much the same.  What\'s different is the lack of rule of law.  And that is the most disturbing aspect of this story. Where can someone who\'s poor get justice?","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:59"},{"nm":"KLH","rs":"0","ms":"INCREDIBLE journalism. \nMy respects to the team that worked on this story...\nHow on earth did these men agree to be interviewed? Simply incredible....","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:44"},{"nm":"Nicole~Marie","rs":"0","ms":"My university focus, and hopeful career focus, centers around ensuring the human rights of mostly girls and women. I have researched and spoken with several individuals who have endured sexual exploitation, abuse, and torture in the form of rape. It is prevalent in the American cultures and most elsewhere. \n\nI believe that every person is complex in their own thoughts, personality, views, and natural attractions. I do not believe that a person is only attracted to one type of person or one type of sex/gender.\n\nThis documentary reminded me of what I have encountered in my research in regards to Americans\' overall views of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  It seems to me that a portion of Americans misunderstand these cultures\' most times "open" portrayal of men pursuing sexual encounters with boys as some type of whole-scale cultural acceptance or promotion of homosexuality.\n\nI consider that these cultures, during much of their ancient existence, waxed and waned in their openness and acceptance of what is currently being termed as queerness, however, it is power, and that of abusive power, demonstrated and played out through the leering and sexual exploitation and rape of innocent others that is a significant factor amongst the multitude of complex cultural reasons as to why such practices exist and continue.  \n\nWhen watching Dastager, particularly when he first meets/picks up the boy renamed Shafiq, there is an undeniable predatory glee about him.  He might be queer, he might not be. Though all cultures and persons need to be open to discussing the existence of queerness, I don\'t perceive this being a primary reason behind why men like Dastager take such an interest in sexually abusing children.\n\nMost of the men who sexually exploit girls and women do have heterosexual attractions, but are mostly interested and engaged in the pursuit of power through which abuse and violation of vulnerable-ized others creates. \n\nIts important to look at other cultures and try to figure what is functional and dysfunctional about them in order to have a better opportunity at changing our understanding of our very own culture and our roles/lives within it and thus hopefully then will we all question what goes largely unquestioned, and as well to see that all of our cultures are connected as a global community.  I believe that it was MLK, Jr. who wrote that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:38"},{"nm":"Gerri Michalska","rs":"0","ms":"I hope that you, makers of the film, are not assuaging your consciences by supporting Shafique.  There are, at least, a thousand boys there like Shafiq and more coming up IF THIS IS NOT STOPPED.  You must pursue this with Afghan authorities.  You have a lot of evidence there.  ","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:33"},{"nm":"Sarah","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you again for your great work. So much disturbing actions here on this report and all over the globe of the exploitation of children. It is a global issue made worse by the fact that people are so expendable. Truly, truly sad.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:31"},{"nm":"Edithann","rs":"0","ms":"This is just so disturbing. Something has to be done about this terrible practice. And I want to thank FRONTLINE for bringing it to our attention..No one does it better then FRONTLINE...\nBut it\'s so disturbing and I\'m so upset and feel so helpless.... \nI also would like to know where religious Islam enters into this practice..and why it\'s not preached against in every school, mosque and in every political gathering? What has President Karzi been doing about it? Has he been doing anything?  \nThere seems to be a serious mental disorder for men, married men with children and with sons of their own, who readily participate in such behavior..\n \nThere has to be \'world wide\' outrage at such practices....And I\'m so grateful that FRONTLINE has done it..Now it\'s in the open and for all the world to see and for the UN and EU to take up this challenge for change... \nFRONTLINE AND STAFF are a credit for opening up such a terrible \'Pandora\'s Box\' of barbarism. \nMaybe now we\'ll have a direction for all the money we\'re spending on Afghanistan and focus on wiping out this plague of Afghan inhumanity to their own children. \n\nEdithann\n","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:25"},{"nm":"Sima Lodin Calkin","rs":"0","ms":" I am an Afghan woman and a mother, I think Karzay is the lader of all of this, because his group gets away with it.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:19"},{"nm":"RN","rs":"0","ms":"This is clearly a very taboo practice and looked down upon by Afghanis. My question is why would powerful, well respected men allow a film crew follow them? ","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:19"},{"nm":"jan olson","rs":"0","ms":"This is the country we\'re sacrificing our people for???  This is absolutely sickening.  Is there no justice system in the country that can stand up to this?  When women have no rights at all, men lose all decent feelings and will not care how women and children are treated.  There will be no real civility until this is addressed up front and this is considered a criminal ofense.  What can the US do?  Certainly nothing as far as I can see.   Saaaad!","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:09"},{"nm":"Saltimbanco","rs":"0","ms":"Given the sheltered and second-class status of the Afghan women, as unseen mothers and wives, described in this fascinating film, it seems obvious how Afghan men of financial and political means have turned to boys they can easily dominate as a sexual or merely erotic outlet; or, as in the case of the military "commanders," as competetive trophies.  While some of these men might secretly self-identify as homosexuals (while living a nominally heterosexual lifestyle, I\'d wager a far greater number pursue the practice of "bachi bazi" due to the unavailability of women and as a replacement for them. Ergo the dressing of the dancing boys in women\'s clothes. This may be common in Muslim countries.  I do recall a friend who once lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he was frequently solicited for sex by passing motorists as he took his evening roadside constitutionals.  My friend noted that in Saudi public life women were invisible, ghost-like shrouded figures on the street, and that he believed this was why men turned to other men (not boys in this case) simply to appease their sexual drive.\n\nThanks to Frontline for drawing the curtain on this subject.  However, it deserves further exploration closer to home lest we hypocritically distance ourselves from this supposedly "foreign" practice.\n","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:09"},{"nm":"barakzai","rs":"0","ms":"I am a afghan Canadian who was born in canada but was told about bacha bazzi storys real young storys that my relatives took part in bacha bazzi and have even seen videos of  bacha bazzi in music concerts very stange that they claim that homosexuality is against islam but they love it and do it like its a good thing","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:08"},{"nm":"MM","rs":"0","ms":"This was so sad and disturbing that I can\'t stomach it.  The immorality and inhumanity of these men is beyond measure.  I feel helpless to do anything to stop this and am overwhelmed by how badly something needs to be done.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:06"},{"nm":"Vivian T.","rs":"0","ms":"The only reason I can sleep tonight is because the crew of Frontline actually did something to save a boy\'s life.  I can breathe knowing that your team felt the emotions that any good human would feel and had to do something to save that innocent child.  I would have become very upset and physically ill if the story ended with Frontline leaving, and the boy becoming lost in the human jungle of those men.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 23:05"},{"nm":"Crystal","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for presenting this story. I was wondering what happens to the boys when they get too old to dance?  Since this was not covered in your story. I am glad that you were able to rescue Shafiq and move his family out of the area so that he can go to school and become the doctor that he wants to be when he grows up.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:38"},{"nm":"Jean","rs":"0","ms":"I would like to know the historical roots of Bacha Bazi.  Why didn\'t the documentary speak to Islamic religious leaders about this practice?  I would have also liked to have heard women\'s voices on the subject.  As a Catholic I ashamed of the sexual abuse of children by a small number of priests.  But, how can roomfuls of men exploiting young boys go under the radar at these dancing parties?  Then how do they reconcile their Muslim faith with these abhorent, inhumane practices of sexual exploitation. I pity the parents of Canadian and American soldiers fighting and dying in Afghanistan, who must wonder what their children are protecting in that country. Thank you Frontline for your stellar work on this revealing documentary.  Jean","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:18"},{"nm":"H Holt","rs":"0","ms":"Amazing and disturbing story.  This is a practice that I heard about a lot but never witnessed while in Afghanistan. This program and your past Afghanistan-related shows give a great inside view on the people and politics of the region. I would definitely like to hear your responses to Desert Diplomat\'s questions. \n\nThank you Frontline for again presenting a topic in-depth that others do not.\n\nAfghanistan Vet, US Army 2004-2005","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:15"},{"nm":"ISR","rs":"0","ms":"WOW! I couldn\'t believe what I was seeing with my own eyes!! I agree with D.D. here in the comments...I kept saying to my husband the seem to have muslim names! Did he just say "Quran"?! I was delirious with anger over this. Do these men not fear Allah??? Then to read here that these children are being abused in all places where they should be protected is profoundly heartbreaking  to me. Insha\'Allah, May Allah-SWT deliver these children from the harm of adults and may Allah punish these men for such a hateful and heinous crime. Insha\'Allah.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:09"},{"nm":"Stephanie","rs":"0","ms":"I was honestly shocked to see what happens in Afghanistan and how nothing is done. I do not want to say that I condone bacha bazi or any sorts of human trafficking but it is understandable why some parents would allow for this to happen; Afghans are living in harsh conditions and poverty and they have no one or nothing to turn to. This was very informative and it was a great segment because it opens the eyes of many westerners who are still living in a bubble.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:07"},{"nm":"myNameIsChris","rs":"0","ms":"In order for these men to be attracted to baccha, I would have to assume two things: 1.) the environment lacks a moral code and 2.) the men have a physiological inclination toward homosexuality/pedophilia.\n\nAssumption 1 isn\'t much of a surprise.  Parts of the middle east are some of the least morally advanced areas of the world.  But assumption 2 isn\'t so straight-forward.  I wonder, are these men just merely biologically inclined toward homosexuality/pedophilia?  Or have these men been victims of sexual abuse?  Or, and this is speculation, are these men sexually deprived/frustrated?","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:04"},{"nm":"Tracy Williams","rs":"0","ms":"Thank you for the work to help this boy and expose this practice. How sad that pedophilia and sexual abuse transcend borders, culture, religion, power, and class.\nTracy W.","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 22:02"},{"nm":"Sad ","rs":"0","ms":"I am very thankful to Frontline, the producers, and supporters of bringing this news to public television. I just want to thank you very much for helping these stories come out, in hopes that these children can be protected from worse lives than they have already endured in the war-torn country. ","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 21:55"},{"nm":"Ahmad","rs":"0","ms":"hi \njust want to share my opinion, the question is not only Shafiq, there is more and more, and my opinion is all those people should be killed  in front of others, since the world know about these child abuse and so on, and they don\'t do anything bcz our leaders are all addicted to these Bacha Bazi, at the end helping Shafiq will not solve the issue, till our government fix themselves and that is not possible,\n\nRegards\n","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 21:50"},{"nm":"John Pitre","rs":"0","ms":"      Oh No!,Why should American soldiers die to preserve this way of being ? $5,000/sec., that\'s how much we are spending/wasting to preserve this way of life.In addition Afghanistan is the source of heroin, they grow large fields of Poppy!,oh no! what are we doing? Should our values preserve their values ? At what cost, life or money ?","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 20:56"},{"nm":"Desert Diplomat","rs":"0","ms":"As always, Frontline has excelled in telling a compelling story that would most likely never have been heard outside of Afghanistan.  \n\nYet, I am left wondering why the producers never discussed Islam and the obvious religious prohibitions against Bacha Bazi.  It seemed an obvious avenue of exploration and I\'d like to know why it was not mentioned.  Afghanistan is a Muslim country, all the men profiled in the documentary were, presumably, Muslim, so how did they reconcile their faith with their actions?  Did they ever discuss this?  Additionally, (and, I can imagine that this was near to impossible to do) were you able to speak with any Afghan women about this?  I\'m sure Dastager would not allow you to interview his wife, but I\'m curious if you were able to speak with her (or any other women) off-camera about Bacha Bazi.\n\nIt was sad and disturbing, but an important documentary that should not be missed.  \n\nKeep up the good work.\n\nDD","pt":"Apr 20, 2010 20:16"}]}); });