Martyrs' Day (Afghanistan)

In May 2012, the National Assembly of Afghanistan is reported to have accepted September 9th (or September 8th, variable per Solar Hijri calendar) as "a new national holiday to honour national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud and those who died fighting for the country."

Ahmad Shah Massoud was an Afghan military leader from Panjshir Valley. He was a leader of the resistance against the Soviet Invasion and the Taliban. He was assassinated on September 9, 2001 in a suicide attack. Massoud Day is a holiday in Afghanistan that occurs each year as a commemoration of his death.

On September 8th 2012, Afghanistan celebrated Martyrs' Day.

The holiday is celebrated as Haftai Shahid, or "Martyr Week". It is also observed as Massoud Day.