The 29th Sunbula (September 20) marks the 12th anniversary of the death of the former Afghan President and Chairman of the High Peace Council (HPC) Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Burhanuddin Rabbani, the son of Mohammad Yusuf, was born on the 29th of Subula 1319 (the solar calendar) in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province.

He completed school in Badakhshan province before attending a madrasa (religious school) in Kabul. He began studying Islamic Studies at Kabul University in the 1339 solar year.

"In my opinion, Ostad Rabbani was a scholar and mujahid, and he played a good role during the time of the Russians,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a political analyst.

In order to pursue a higher education, Rabbani moved to Egypt in 1966. After enrolling at Al-Azhar University there in 1968, he earned a master's degree in Islamic philosophy and moved back to Kabul.

He then created the Jamiat-e-Islami party in 1971. And he became president of the Mojahedin government in 1992.

"Since he studied in Al-Azhar, he had supplementary knowledge and was able to unite a number of people with his  and separate a branch from Hizb-e-Islami named Jamiat-e-Islami and start its activity,” said Moin Gul Samkanai, a political analyst.

The former president, Hamid Karzai, as well as the former head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, praised Rabbani’s accomplishments.

"Ostad Burhanuddin Rabbani was a religious scholar, kind, gentle, and a benevolent personality in the country who worked hard and diligently for the welfare and comfort of the people of Afghanistan and to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country,” Karzai said on X social media platform.

"Professor Ostad Rabbani, was one of the most influential figures in politics and liberation struggles during the past four decades. He had stepped on the path of struggle with faith and had an honest commitment to God and the people,” he said.

Burhanuddin Rabbani was assassinated inside his home in Kabul on September 20, 2011, after a suicide bomber detonated explosives that were concealed in his turban.