KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) — Marginalized by a group of playing children outside Afghanistan’s Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city, Zarmina, 9, whispered that the children here do not like to play with her and that is why she feels upset. “I like to return to my village in Qala-e-Zal and play with Maryam,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty By Frud Bezhan August 5, 2016 Afghanistan’s long-standing effort to distribute electronic ID cards to citizens has been marred by dispute, leading to violent street protests, walkouts in parliament, and scuffles among politicians. In a bid to break the deadlock — which largely centers on the issue of whether ethnicity should
Al Jazeera: In Afghanistan’s “theme park of challenges”, ethnic politics is becoming a key contested debate, alongside the usual and known issues. The Saturday terrorist attack that targeted predominantly the Hazara community has heightened political tension. From harsh exchanges among growing Afghan social media users to the controversy over how to name universities, the disputed 2014 presidential election
The Daily Beast: Soon after the American invasion of Afghanistan in the aftermath of September 11th, I read of the seeming paradox of Taliban killings of men who had sex with men, while they simultaneously engaged in the same behaviors themselves. As a gay journalist, I decided to venture into Afghanistan to learn more firsthand… Click
VOA News / July 4, 2016 Ayaz Gul ISLAMABAD — Weeks of scathing criticism has apparently prompted a provincial government in Pakistan to review a grant of $3 million it has recently allocated for a controversial Islamic seminary, which some critics refer to as the “University of Jihad.” The Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary, or madrasa, headed by
Xinhua: Of late, bazaars and shopping malls in all Afghan cities including the capital city of Kabul are all hustle bustle as faithful Muslim families are busy shopping to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitar, the second annual religious festival to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslims fasting month.
Al Jazeera: Living primarily in the rugged highlands in the country’s centre, the Hazaras are one of Afghanistan’s largest ethnic minorities, accounting for up to 20 percent of Afghanistan’s 30 million inhabitants. The Hazaras say they are considered outsiders in their own country and have been persecuted throughout history. In the late 1900s, Pashtun King Amir
Reuters: On a bright day in downtown Kabul, Jagtar Singh Laghmani was in his traditional herb shop when a man turned up, drew a knife and told him to convert to Islam or he would cut his throat. Only bystanders and other shopkeepers saved his life. The incident earlier this month was the latest attack on
Tolo News: Close to 99 percent of former Hindu and Sikh citizens of Afghanistan have left the country over the past three decades. The main reasons behind their departure include religious discrimination and the government’s neglect of the minority group, during Taliban era in particular. Click here to read more (external link).
The Diplomat: There is now widespread interest in what Islam and Muslim-majority cultures say about homosexuality and the traditional manner in which homosexuality is approached in Muslim-majority societies, in particular Afghanistan. Contrary to popular perception, some Islamic cultures have a long, vibrant history of tolerance for homosexual behavior. Click here to read more (external link).