Kabul Focus

[Khostai]

I don't know why most think of westernization as modernization, educated and cultured? Like some Afghans bring old miniskirts and alcohol consumption of girls and boys as how “modern” it was back in days.

Its not that wearing mini skirts is labeled modern, it the fact that people tolerated others who choose to dress like this, speaks of modernity. Modernity and civilized socity means that people accept others for how they want and like to dress. Freedom of choice is one of the marks of civilized society. Thats why they also show people who wear headscarfs or from diffrent ethnic backgrounds in European adds to show how tolerant and modern they are towards people who are diffrent or have choosen difrent life style. I hope that clears things up.

[Azmal]

Its not that wearing mini skirts is labeled modern, it the fact that people tolerated others who choose to dress like this, speaks of modernity. Modernity and civilized socity means that people accept others for how they want and like to dress. Freedom of choice is one of the marks of civilized society. Thats why they also show people who wear headscarfs or from diffrent ethnic backgrounds in European adds to show how tolerant and modern they are towards people who are diffrent or have choosen difrent life style. I hope that clears things up.

I get what you saying, my concern is in deeply religious society like Afghanistan, it is best to change peoples mind(education) then the outlook. You have no idea how conservative majority of Afghans are unless you go and live with them. Sadly the superficial "modernity" preach by current gov and TOLO and likes tv is only adding fuel to fire of religion fanatic---which is also inflamed by our enemies for their own agenda. Lets not forget what happen to Amanullah khan. It took a good 40 years for Nadir-Zahir-Doud to create some balance with gradual and slow modernization programs which the sob communist f-ed it up big time.

[Bengal_Tiger]

I get what you saying, my concern is in deeply religious society like Afghanistan, it is best to change peoples mind(education) then the outlook. You have no idea how conservative majority of Afghans are unless you go and live with them. Sadly the superficial "modernity" preach by current gov and TOLO and likes tv is only adding fuel to fire of religion fanatic---which is also inflamed by our enemies for their own agenda. Lets not forget what happen to Amanullah khan. It took a good 40 years for Nadir-Zahir-Doud to create some balance with gradual and slow modernization programs which the sob communist f-ed it up big time.

There are regional and socio-economic differences between Pakhtuns. A Pakhtun in Pekhawar is not the same as one in Quetta forget about their kinsmen in Afghanistan. Even in Afghanistan people in Kunar are not the same as people in Nangarhar.

That's regional differences.

Then socio-economic differences are also a factor. For example Kabuli Pashtuns are very distinct from rural Pashtuns including the very Persianized Mahmudzais.

However Dari (Farsi) is the de facto pan-Afghan language, the lingua franca for Uzbeks, Hazaras, Turkmen, Baloch, Tajiks and Pashtuns to communicate with each other so it's only natural urban Pashtuns become more Persianized linguistically, though emotionally they are still very proud Pakhtuns.

Urban middle class Pakhtuns are more educated and have more connections with the outside world e.g. an uncle that studied in Russia, another uncle that studied in Germany, cousins that studied in other countries. This connection with people living in the wider world makes them have a different outlook to rural village people.

Anyway this is a universal dynamic that applies to any race be they the English, the Bengalis, the Turks anyone.

[Khostai]

I get what you saying, my concern is in deeply religious society like Afghanistan, it is best to change peoples mind(education) then the outlook. You have no idea how conservative majority of Afghans are unless you go and live with them. Sadly the superficial "modernity" preach by current gov and TOLO and likes tv is only adding fuel to fire of religion fanatic---which is also inflamed by our enemies for their own agenda. Lets not forget what happen to Amanullah khan. It took a good 40 years for Nadir-Zahir-Doud to create some balance with gradual and slow modernization programs which the sob communist f-ed it up big time.

I watch also tolo tv sometimes. I see every Afghan women in headscarf and covered with only hands and face showing, I have not seen any miniskirts wearing Afghan girls....I do see some Turkish dramas with girls dressing quite flashy, but they are mostly blured. But anyway Afghans have to realise that they way they live is not the only right or good way, there are millions of people on this world who lead happy and fulfiled life but still dress and believe in diffrent things...

And yes you are right, the priority should be economics en education first, then superficial modernity can come later.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Kabul.



Christina Lamb in Kabul.



Sweet smile in Kabul.





Business event in Kabul.

[Bengal_Tiger]

A classic car in 1960s Kabul.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Art exhibition.





Finnish delegation in Kabul.









Competition for disabled females, the spirit of resilience.

[Aryana]

Those are beautiful pictures of our hewad. Thanks a lot mate!

[Bengal_Tiger]

Those are beautiful pictures of our hewad. Thanks a lot mate!

Thanks brother.

Welcome to the forum. I have been reading your posts and am impressed with their quality. Keep it up.

[Bengal_Tiger]

[Bengal_Tiger]

Polytechnic, university of Kabul.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Graduation, Kabul University IT department.

[Bengal_Tiger]

View from Kabul university.





View of Qargha.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Sanna Ejaz, Pakistani Pakhtun journalist and Pakhtun nationalist (far right) with some senior Afghan officials in Kabul.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Grey skies above Kabul.