Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked and mountainous country in the heart of Asia, bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the West, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north. There is a short border with China to the far northeast, but in extremely inaccessible terrain. The country has great many valleys. Afghanistan has been the center of many powerful empires for the past 2,000 years, however in the last 30 years the nation has been in chaos due to major wars—from the Soviet invasion of 1979 to their withdrawal in 1989 and from warlordism to the removal of the Taliban in 2001 and the ensuing US/NATO invasion and the return of the Taliban. Economically, Afghanistan is considered poor compared to many other nations of the world. The country is going through a nationwide rebuilding process.

An Introduction to the Region of Afghanistan

• West Afghanistan
• East Afghanistan
• Northwest Afghanistan
• Northeast Afghanistan
• South Afghanistan

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Afghanistan

• Kabul - in the east and the capital city
• Bamiyan - The remains of the Buddhas. Once considered one of the wonders of the world and these tall stone carvings were destroyed by the Taliban in a notorious act of cultural vandalism.
• Ghazni - in the south-east, between Kabul and Kandahar
• Herat - in the west, gateway to Iran, has a strong Persian influence and several interesting historical sites
• Jalalabad - in the east, between Kabul and the Khyber Pass
• Kandahar - a Taliban-influenced southern city, not safe for travel at this time
• Kunduz - A major city in the northeast and crossing point to Tajikistan
• Mazar-e Sharif - home to the impressively tiled Blue Mosque and the staging point for trips into Uzbekistan
• Bagram - the site of the former United States military base.

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in Afghanistan

• Balkh — Once one of the greatest city's in the region and capital of ancient Bactria. Although much of it lies in ruins and the remaining architectural and cultural elements remain little changed since Alexander the Great set foot there.
• Band-e Amir National Park — 5 stunningly turquoise lakes in a remote and beautiful setting, not far from Bamiyan.
• The Khyber Pass is the gateway to India, historic route of invasion and trade.
• The Minaret of Jam is well off the beaten path but some say worth the journey — feasible as a roundtrip from Herat or when traversing the Central Route from Herat to Kabul.
• Panjshir Valley — a beautiful trekking area, leading to the famous Anjuman Pass.
• The Salang Pass is a high mountain pass and tunnel linking Kabul to the north.
• Shamali Plain north of Kabul. Shamali, meaning "windy" or "northern", is a green plain which produced a lot of the food for central Afghanistan. From Kabul it extends north through Charikar, Parwan province to Jabal os Saraj. The Taliban destroyed the irrigation systems and it is only just beginning to recover.

Introduction

Weather in Afghanistan

Temperatures in the central highlands are below freezing for most of the winter and snow is common at higher elevations. Summertime highs in lower elevations (such as Jalalabad or Mazar-e Sharif) can exceed 50°C/120°F. In higher areas such as Kabul, summer temperatures can be 30°C/90°F and winter around 0°C/30°F. The most friendly weather in Kabul is during April, May and September

Terrain

Mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest. The Hindu Kush mountains run northeast to southwest, dividing the northern provinces from the rest of the nation, with the highest peaks found in the northern Wakhan Corridor. South of Kandahar is desert. The lowest point is Amu Darya at 258 m and the highest is Nowshak at 7,485 m

The People of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an ethnically diverse country. Tribal and local allegiances are strong and the largest ethnic group is the Pashtun, followed by Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek and others. Baloch tribesmen, still largely nomadic, can be found anywhere between Quetta in Pakistan and Mashad in Iran, including much of Western Afghanistan. They make marvellous rugs, if somewhat simple. Hazaras in the central mountains look much more Asiatic than other Afghans. According to some theories and they are descended from Genghis Khan's soldiers. The two largest linguistic groups speak Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian). Pashto speakers predominate in the south and east, Dari in the north, west and central Afghanistan. About 11% of the population have Turkic languages, Uzbek. or Turkmen, as their first language. Many of them are in the north, near Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Minor native language groups include Nuristanis, Pashais and Pamiris, found in small pockets in the east and northeast. There are also thousands of Hindus and Sikhs living in different city's but mostly in Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar.

History of Afghanistan

[[File:Mosque in Kandahar-2011.jpg|1280px|Mosque in Kandahar-2011]]

Throughout its history, Afghanistan has been a graveyard for invading powers, with one of the most notable examples being the defeat of the British Empire during the 19th century.

Early History and Strategic Importance

Afghanistan's history stretches back thousands of years, with the region playing a key role in the spread of cultures, religions, and trade across Asia. It was part of the Persian Empire, later conquered by Alexander the Great, and eventually became a significant part of the Islamic world after the 7th century. By the 18th century, the region was largely consolidated under the Durrani Empire, which laid the foundations for the modern Afghan state.

The country’s strategic importance grew in the 19th century as the British Empire expanded its influence in India, and the Russian Empire began to move southward. Afghanistan became the epicenter of "The Great Game," a geopolitical struggle between Britain and Russia for dominance in Central Asia.

The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842)

[[File:The British Indian Army Before the First World War .jpg|1280px|The_British_Indian_Army_Before_the_First_World_War_QQ9816]]

The first significant conflict between Afghanistan and the British Empire occurred during the First Anglo-Afghan War. In 1839, the British, fearing Russian influence in Afghanistan, sought to install a puppet ruler, Shah Shujah Durrani, on the Afghan throne. The British military invasion was initially successful, with Kabul falling to British forces and Shah Shujah installed as king.

However, the British severely underestimated the Afghan resistance. The occupation was met with growing resentment from the Afghan population, leading to a full-scale uprising. By 1841, the situation had deteriorated, and British forces found themselves besieged in Kabul. The British agreed to a humiliating retreat, which turned into a catastrophic disaster.

In January 1842, a column of around 16,000 British soldiers, civilians, and camp followers began the retreat from Kabul to Jalalabad. The column was ambushed and decimated by Afghan tribesmen in the harsh winter conditions. Out of the entire force, only one British soldier, Dr. William Brydon, is said to have survived and made it to Jalalabad, although a few others were captured and eventually released.

This defeat shocked the British public and government, leading to a temporary withdrawal from Afghan affairs. The First Anglo-Afghan War became a symbol of the dangers of imperial overreach.

The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880)

The British returned to Afghanistan in 1878, again motivated by fears of Russian influence. The Second Anglo-Afghan War began with a British invasion and quickly led to the occupation of much of the country. However, like the first conflict, this war was marked by fierce Afghan resistance.

Although the British achieved several military victories and signed the Treaty of Gandamak, which granted them control over Afghan foreign policy, they could not fully subdue the Afghan tribes. In 1880, the Battle of Maiwand, in which Afghan forces under Ayub Khan decisively defeated a British force, underscored the limits of British power in the region.

The war ended with the British agreeing to withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for assurances that the country would remain a buffer state between British India and Russian territories. The Afghan king, Abdur Rahman Khan, was left in control, and Afghanistan's internal independence was recognized.

The British Empire's defeats in Afghanistan had significant consequences. It exposed the vulnerability of British imperial ambitions in the face of determined local resistance and helped shape British policies towards indirect rule and buffer states in the region.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: A Brief Overview

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 marked a critical moment in Cold War history and set the stage for a decade-long conflict that would have far-reaching consequences for both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. The invasion was the result of complex geopolitical factors, including the Soviet Union's desire to maintain influence in Afghanistan, which was seen as a crucial buffer state in Central Asia.

Background and Invasion

In the late 1970s, Afghanistan was in the midst of political turmoil. A communist coup in 1978, known as the Saur Revolution, brought the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) to power. The new regime, led by President Nur Muhammad Taraki, implemented radical socialist reforms that were deeply unpopular among the conservative and religious Afghan population, leading to widespread unrest and resistance.

Fearing that the instability in Afghanistan could lead to the rise of a government hostile to Soviet interests, the USSR decided to intervene. On December 24, 1979, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan under the pretext of supporting the PDPA government against the growing insurgency. The invasion led to the assassination of President Taraki and the installation of Babrak Karmal, a more pliant leader, as head of the Afghan government.

The Conflict and Afghan Resistance

The Soviet invasion was met with fierce resistance from Afghan guerrilla fighters known as the Mujahideen. These groups, deeply rooted in Afghanistan's tribal and religious traditions, waged a relentless guerrilla war against the Soviet forces. The rugged terrain of Afghanistan, coupled with the Mujahideen's knowledge of local conditions, made the conflict increasingly difficult for the Soviet military.

The United States, along with other countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, began to provide substantial support to the Mujahideen, including weapons, training, and financial aid. The CIA's covert operation, known as Operation Cyclone, was one of the largest and most expensive in U.S. history, significantly bolstering the Afghan resistance.

The Soviet Withdrawal and Aftermath

The war in Afghanistan dragged on throughout the 1980s, becoming a costly quagmire for the Soviet Union. Despite deploying over 100,000 troops and using advanced military technology, the Soviet forces were unable to defeat the Mujahideen. The conflict also inflicted severe economic and human costs on the USSR, contributing to the internal strains that would eventually lead to its collapse.

In 1986, Mikhail Gorbachev, the then-leader of the Soviet Union, recognized the futility of the war and began efforts to withdraw. In 1988, the Geneva Accords were signed, leading to the withdrawal of Soviet troops, which was completed in February 1989.

The Soviet-Afghan War left Afghanistan devastated, with millions of people killed, displaced, or wounded. The country descended into further chaos and civil war, ultimately leading to the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s. For the Soviet Union, the war was a major factor in the decline of its global influence and the eventual dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Afghanistan's successful resistance against two of the world's most powerful empires solidified its reputation as a "graveyard of empires." This reputation would later influence the strategies and decisions of other powers, including the Soviet Union in the 20th century and the United States in the 21st century.

The legacy of the Anglo-Afghan Wars is still felt today, as Afghanistan continues to be a complex and challenging environment for foreign powers. The country's history of resisting external control has become a central part of its national identity, symbolizing the resilience and determination of its people in the face of overwhelming odds.

The defeat of the British Empire in Afghanistan during the 19th century is a testament to the enduring spirit of Afghan resistance and the limitations of imperial power. The Anglo-Afghan Wars not only shaped the future of Afghanistan but also left a lasting mark on the history of empire and global politics. As Afghanistan continues to navigate its path in the modern world, the lessons of these wars remain as relevant as ever.

The modern-day country was founded when Mir Wais Hotak rose up against the Persians in 1709 and established the Hotaki dynasty, with its capital at Kandahar. It later included what is now Iran and Iraq but the Hotaki dynasty collapsed in 1738. In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani re-established Afghanistan and expanded it to include much of Pakistan as well as northeastern [[Iran and the Western parts India. The country has a long history of warfare, mostly against invaders such as Darius I, Alexander of Macedon, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and the British. Its recent history is no exception.

Rise of the Taleban

The Taliban grew out of this chaos in late 1994, providing a solution to what was by this time a civil war. The Taliban developed as a political force to end the civil war and bring security to the nation. They seized the capital of Kabul in late 1996 and controlled most of the nation by 2000, aside from some areas in the northeast. After the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden or other Western backed Al-Qaeda militants to the United States, though they did offer to try Osama in their own shariah court if the US government shared "solid evidence" of his alleged guilt with them and also expressed willingness in principle to consider extraditing Osama to a neutral country for a trial before a shariah court.

The US refused to share whatever evidence they had with the Taliban and considered the Taliban's offers insufficient, so they and their allies chose to take military action with support from Western sponsored anti-Taliban Afghans — mainly Kazakhs and Kirghiz from the north of the nation who fought in the Northern Alliance — causing the Taliban's regime to fall in December 2001. The same month, representatives from all ethnic groups of Afghanistan met in Germany and agreed to form a new government with Hamid Karzai known for his close links to the West was appointed Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority. Following a nationwide election in 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected as President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. A year later, in 2005, legislative elections were held and the nation's parliament began functioning again. In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out anti-government elements and the nation suffers from widespread election fraud, poverty, corruption and opium cultivation. In 2005, Afghanistan and the US signed a strategic partnership agreement committing both nations to a long-term relationship.

Visas

Most visitors need to apply for a visa in advance and they are often easier to obtain than you might expect.

Travel by plane to Afghanistan

Karl Eikenberry at Kabul International Airport-2 - US and Afghan officials at Kabul International Airport Kabul International Airport (IATA Flight Code: KBL) in Kabul is the main entry point to the nation. In late 2008 and the barely functioning old terminal was refurbished and is now being used for domestic flights, while the brand new Japanese-constructed terminal is up and running and fielding international flights. The national carrier, Ariana Afghan Airlines, is flying with a small fleet of about 14 Airbuses and Boeings (plus Antonovs). They have daily Flights from Dubai and periodic Flights from Frankfurt, Islamabad, Delhi, Istanbul, Baku and Tehran.

Kam Air, which has twice daily Flights from Dubai, twice weekly Flights from Delhi and weekly Flights from Almaty, Istanbul and Mashad. Some of the flights on the Dubai to Kabul route stop in Herat if you'd prefer to enter the nation there. Safi Air also provides flights between Dubai and Kabul. They are the only safety-accredited airline in Afghanistan. Safi is the only Afghan airline allowed to fly into Europe and has direct connecting Flights to Frankfurt. The service is good and planes are sound. Staff are professional. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flies four times per week from Islamabad and once per week from Peshawar to Kabul. Another route in may be via through Tehran or Mashad in Iran. Iran Air has periodic Flights from Tehran to Kabul. AirIndia operates six flights a week from Delhi to Kabul.

Turkish Airlines also began flights between Kabul and Istanbul in 2011. Air Arabia used to fly four times per week from Sharjah — however and they have suspended operations. Flights to other city's such as Mazar-e Sharif may be available if you can hook up with the charter company PACTEC; however, seating is very limited

Travel by vehicle to Afghanistan

There are a number of roads into Afghanistan:

• From Peshawar, Pakistan, via the Khyber Pass to Jalalabad, in the east.
• From Quetta, Pakistan, to Kandahar, in the south.
• From Mashad, Iran to Herat, in the west.
• From Termez, Uzbekistan to Mazar-e Sharif, in the north.
• From Tajikistan to Kunduz, in the northwest. As of mid-2009, none of these routes could be considered safe. The Khyber and the Quetta to Kandahar route were particularly dangerous. Buses run regularly between Jalalabad and Peshawar, Pakistan. Also, between Herat and Mashad, Iran. Afghani buses are thoroughly checked by Iranian border police for feasible drugs, so expect delays.

Getting around in Afghanistan

Travel by plane to Afghanistan

Planes fly between Kabul and the major city's (Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif) at varying frequency. If weather is suitable, flights are operated daily. Most flights depart city's in the mornings before 11:00 only. Civilian airplanes are not operated after sundown

Travel by vehicle to Afghanistan

Coach buses in northern Afghanistan - Long distance coach in Mazar-i-Sharif Colourful afghan truck - Colourful Afghan truck There is a growing network of public transportation between the nation's city's. Buses ply some routes and Toyota vehicles have a near monopoly on minivan (HiAce) and taxi (Corolla) transportation.

A new highway connects Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif. The highway is in good condition and is considered "relatively" safe. The trip takes a minimum of 5 hr. The highway goes through the famous Salang Mountains and cross the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. If you hire a relatively new Toyota Corolla, this would cost you about USD 170 (if bargained by a local) for one direction from the Mazar Station in Kabul to anywhere in Mazar-i-Sharif. There is no metered taxi in large parts of Afghanistan. Taxis are yellow and clearly identifiable. You should normally strike a deal with the driver before you take a seat. You can consider 2–3 km of road in ideal conditions to be around USD1 worth (AFN50).

Jeeps and Land Cruisers are available for hire along with drivers who speak some English (do not keep your hopes high that you might bump into one of them). There are tour operators in Kabul that can provide a vehicle and guide; these people are available for hire at the Kabul International Airport itself. Petrol stations are scarce in the nationside and fuel is expensive. Paved roads are the exception, not the rule and even those roads can be in poor repair. Once outside the major city's expect dirt roads (which turn to mud during rain or snow melt). The highway between Kabul and Bagram is dominated by military convoys and "jingle trucks". {{warningbox|Stay out of the way of military convoys.

They travel slowly and are heavily armed. You are not permitted to overtake these vehicles. Driving too close or approaching quickly from behind will be interpreted by them as a hostile act and they will open fire. Do not attempt to take photographs of these vehicles or attempt to operate your cell phone when they are around. They may assume you have a remote bomb-detonator and will feel threatened and it is highly likely they will open fire at you. A new highway links Kabul to Kandahar. The highway is in good condition but should not be considered safe due to frequent attacks by anti-government forces such as the Taliban who often plant powerful mines (bombs) next to highways in which civilians are killed and the poor standard of driving. The trip takes a minimum of 5 hours.

Local Language in Afghanistan

Pashto and Dari, an Afghan dialect of Persian, are the official languages of Afghanistan; many Afghans speak both. The latest CIA country profile mentions that Dari is spoken by about 50%, mainly in the Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif and Central Afghanistan regions. Pashto is spoken by 35%, mainly in the south and east; it is also spoken in neighbouring Pakistan. The remaining are Turkic native language, primarily Uzbek and Turkmen and there are also 30 minor languages such as Balochi. You'll find a few people in Kabul who speak a little English, but otherwise it isn't widely understood. The English language is at its apex in Afghanistan. The percentage of those who now speak some English has reached unprecedented rates. President Karzai and his cabinet are fluent in English. English was taught in the past from the 7th grade, but now is taught from the fourth grade. Signs in English in the streets are becoming common now all over the nation. English is the second foreign language in Afghanistan.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Afghanistan

Carpets

1 m² costs around US$500

Haggling is very much part of the tradition. Afghanistan's most famous products are carpets. There are carpets described as "Afghan", but also at least two other carpet-weaving traditions. The Baluchi tribes in the south and west weave fine rugs and the Turkoman tribes in the north do as well; both groups are also found in neighbouring countries. All three types tend to use geometric patterns in the design, with red as the background colour and with repeated elements called "guls" to make the pattern. Generally and these are not as finely woven as carpets from the city's of neighbouring Iran, however many of them are quite beautiful and their prices are (assuming good haggling) well below those of the top Iranian carpets.

• Baluchi rugs are small since nomadic people cannot use large looms; sizes up to 1.5 by 2 metres (4 x 7 feet) are common, but not many beyond that. They are popular with travellers because they are fairly portable. One very common type is a prayer rug, just large enough for one person to kneel facing Mecca. Another is the "nomad's chest of drawers" a bag, often beautifully decorated, that is a saddlebag when travelling and hangs on the wall of the tent when camped.

• Turkoman rugs, often labelled "Bokhara" in the Gulf countriesern rug trade, come in all sizes and a very broad range of quality. Some are woven by nomads, with the same range of sizes and types as Baluchi rugs. Others are made in city workshops; the best of these are almost as finely woven and almost as expensive as top-grade Persian carpets. One fairly common design is the Hatchli, a cross shape on a large rug.

• Afghan rugs are generally made in city workshops, mainly for the export trade. They are often large; 3 x 4 metres (10 x 12 feet) is common. Most are quite coarsely woven to keep costs down, but others have a fairly fine weave. If you need a big rug for the living room at a moderate price and these are likely to be your best choice.

"Golden Afghan" rugs were fairly common in GCC countries a few decades back; they were invented by Western dealers who bleached Afghan carpets to eliminate the red colour, leaving a blue or black on orange or Gold design. They are rare in Afghanistan, where the traditional colours are preferred.

In the West, collectors also prefer the traditional colours and bleached rugs generally bring a lower price. Also and the "golden" rugs may not wear as well as unbleached rugs since bleaching can damage the fibres. In most cases and they should be avoided. It is fairly common for rugs woven by nomads such as many Baluchi rugs and some Turkoman to show minor irregularities. The loom is dismantled for transport and re-assembled at the new camp, so the rug may not turn out perfectly rectangular. Vegetable dyes are often used and these may vary from batch to batch, so some colour variation (arbrash) occurs and this may be accentuated as the rug fades.

To collectors, most such irregularities fall into the "that's not a bug; it's a feature" category; they are expected and accepted. In fact, a nice arbrash can considerably increase the value of a rug. Turkoman designs are widely copied; it is common to see "Bokhara" carpets from India or Pakistan, China produces some and the Afghan carpet designs show heavy Turkoman influence. To collectors, though and the original Turkoman rugs are worth a good deal more. Good Baluchi rugs are also quite valuable in GCC countries. Afghan rugs, or lower grade Baluchi and Turkoman rugs, generally are not collectors' items; most travellers will find the best buys among these. Experts might pay premium prices for the top-grade rugs, but amateurs trying that are very likely to get severely overcharged. Kelims are flat-woven fabric with no pile. These are nowhere near as tough as carpets and will not survive decades on the floor as a good carpet will, however some are lovely and they are generally cheaper than carpets. Things like purses made of carpet or decorated with kelim weave are also common.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Afghanistan

Another common product and popular souvenir is the Afghan sheepskin coat. These have the wool on the inside for warmth and the leather on the outside to block wind, rain and snow. They often have lovely embroidery. Two cautions, though. One is that the makers use the embroidery to hide flaws in the leather; top-quality coats will have little or no embroidery.

• The traditional Afghan jezail is a long muzzle-loading rifle often elaborately inlaid with brass or mother-of-pearl. Be cautious about actually firing one of these. The genuine ones are quite old, perhaps with metal fatigue or other problems. Many of the jezails available are not genuine, just copies made recently for the tourist trade; these were never designed to be fired and are more likely to kill the shooter than to hit a target.

• There are also pass-made rifles, from the Khyber Pass area. The most common are copies of the 19th-century British army Martini-Henry rifle, a single-shot lever action weapon. Some are .451 caliber like the original Martini-Henry, but some take a more modern round. 303 is common. Until the Russian invasion in the late 70s when anyone who could kill a Russian, rob an armoury, or pay the price (i.e., almost any Afghan) got an AK-47 these were the most common rifle in Afghanistan. There are also pass-made copies of various other guns, anything from Webley revolvers to AK-47s.

Quality is often ok, in particular the steel is often of low quality and firing any of these guns is risky. Ammunition made in the pass often contained less powder or lower-grade powder than the standard ammo; some pass-made guns blow up if subjected to the higher stress of standard ammo. These make a rather problematic souvenir. Importing a firearm anywhere can be difficult and it may be imfeasible in some places. If you are travelling overland and passing through several countries before you reach home, it is almost certainly not worth the trouble. Also, if you actually fire any Afghan gun and there is a risk that it will blow up in your face.

Sightseeing Tips

While ongoing violence has put an almost full stop to tourism in Afghanistan and the lack of visitors has nothing to do with the nation's sights. Thit is a land full of mystical attractions, telling tales of ancient times and offering beautiful Islamic architecture, medieval city quarters and unexpectedly stunning nature. Band-e Amir National Park, with its six interlinked lakes, is perhaps the finest natural attraction. At an altitude of 2900 meters and the blue waters in this protected natural area almost seem unreal against the sandy mountain sides that surround them. Excellent masjids are to be found all around, with particularly grand examples in Mazar-i-Sharif and in the rapidly developing Herat. The Minaret of Jam, just north of Herat, is UNESCO listed.

Halal Food and Restaurants in Afghanistan

1. Lamb grilled Halal Kebab (seekh kebob);

2. Afghan palao and salad;

3. Tandoori chicken; and

4. Mantu (dumplings). Afghan cuisine includes a blend of Central, Eastern, South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Nearly all the dishes are non-spicy.

There are three main types of Afghan bread:

• Naan - Literally "bread". Thin, long and oval shaped, its mainly a white/whole wheat blend. Topped with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, nigella seeds, or some combination of these. Upon request, clients may be able to get all white flour and a helping of oil, which makes it rich and delicious.
• Obi Non - Uzbek-style bread. Shaped like a disc and thicker than naan. Usually made with white flour.
• Lavash - Very thin bread. Similar to the lavash elsewhere. Usually used as plating for meats and stews. Rice dishes are the "king" of all foods in Afghanistan. The Afghans have certainly taken much time and effort in creating their Rice dishes, as they are considered the best part of any meal. Wealthier families will eat one Rice dish per day. The Afghan royalty spent much time on Rice preparation and invention as evidenced in the sheer number of Rice dishes in their cookbooks. Weddings and family gatherings must feature several Rice dishes and certainly reputations can be made in the realm of Rice preparation.
• Kabuli Pulao (or Kabuli Palaw, Qabili Palaw, Qabili Palau or simply Palau) - An Afghan Rice dish consisting of steamed Rice mixed with lentils, raisins, carrots and lamb. It is baked in the oven and topped with fried sliced carrots and raisins. Chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds may be added as well. The Meat is covered by the Rice or buried in the middle of the dish and is the most popular dish in Afghanistan and is considered the national dish.
• Chalao-White Rice. Extra long grains such as Basmati is required. First parboiled and then drained and finally baked in an oven with some oil, butter and salt. This method creates a fluffy Rice with each grain separated, unlike Chinese or Japanese Rice. Chalao is served mainly with qormas (korma; stews or casseroles)
• Palao - Cooked the same as chalao, but either Meat & stock, qorma, herbs, or a combination are blended in before the baking process. This creates elaborate colors, flavors and aromas for which some rices are named after. Caramelized sugar is also sometimes used to give the Rice a rich brown color.
• Yakhni Palao - Meat & stock added. Creates a brown Rice.
• Zamarod Palao - Spinach qorma mixed in before the baking process, hence 'zamarod' or emerald.
• Qorma Palao - Qorm'eh Albokhara wa Dalnakhod mixed in before the baking process
• Bore Palao - Qorm'eh Lawand added. Creates a yellow Rice.
• Bonjan-e-Roomi Palao - Qorm'eh Bonjan-e-Roomi (tomato qorma) added at baking process. Creates a red Rice.
• Serkah Palao - Similar to yakhni palao, but with vinegar and other spices.
• Shebet Palao - Fresh dill, raisins added at baking process.
• Narenj Palao - A sweet and elaborate Rice dish made with saffron, orange peel, pistachios, almonds and Chicken.
• Maash Palao - A sweet and sour palao baked with mung beans, /dried-apricots-5/ Apricots and bulgur (a kind of wheat). Exclusively Vegetarian.
• Alou Balou Palao - Sweet Rice dish with cherries and Chicken.
• Sticky Rices -Boiled medium grain Rice cooked with its Meat, herbs and grains. Because the water is not drained, it forms a sticky Rice texture. Notable dishes include Mastawa, Kecheri Qoroot and Shola. When white Rice is cooked to a sticky consistency it is called bata and is eaten with a qorma, such as Sabzi (spinach) or Shalgham (turnips). A sweet Rice dish called Shir Birenj (literally milk rice) is often served as dessert. Qorma is a stew or casserole, served with chawol. Most qormas are onion-based. Onions are fried and then Meat is added, as are a variety of fruits, spices and vegetables depending on the recipe. Finally water is added and left to simmer. The onion caramelizes and creates a richly colored stew. There are over 100 qormas.
• Qorma Alou-Bokhara wa Dalnakhod - onion based, with sour plums, lentils and cardamom. Veal or Chicken.
• Qorma Nadroo - onion based, with yogurt, lotus roots, cilantro and coriander. Lamb or veal.
• Qorma Lawand - onion based, with yogurt, turmeric and cilantro. Chicken, lamb, or beef.
• Qorma Sabzi - sauteed spinach and other greens. Lamb
• Qorma Shalgham - onion based, with turnips, sugar; sweet and sour taste. Lamb.

Bolani Afghan bread 01 - Bolani, similar to quesadilla Pasta is called "khameerbob" in Afghanistan and is often in the shape of dumplings. These native dishes are wildly popular. Due to the time-consuming process of creating the dough for the dumplings, it is commonly served at large gatherings such as weddings, but for more special occasions at home:

• Mantu - A dish of Uzbek origin. Dumplings filled with onion & ground beef. Mantu is steamed and topped with a tomato-based Sauce and a yogurt or qoroot-based Sauces. The yogurt-based topping is a mixture of yogurt, sour cream and garlic. The qoroot based Sauce is made of goat Cheese and is also mixed with garlic. Sometimes a qoroot and yogurt mixture will be used. The dish is then topped with dried mint.
• Ashak - Kabul dish. Dumplings filled with leeks. Boiled and then drained. Ashak is topped with garlic-mint qoroot or a garlic yogurt Sauce and a well seasoned ground Meat mixture.
• Afghan kebab is most often found in restaurants and outdoor vendor stalls. Sometimes they are put into shishas. Families rarely serve homemade Halal Kebab in their home due to the need of inaccessible equipment. The most widely used Meat is lamb. Recipes differ with every restaurant, but Afghan Halal Kebab is marinated with a blend of spices and served with naan, rarely Rice. Clients have the option to sprinkle sumac, locally known as ghora, on their Kebab. The quality of Halal Kebab is solely dependent on the quality of the Meat. Pieces of fat from the sheep's tail (jijeq) are added with the lamb skewers to add extra flavor.Other popular Halal Kebab include lamb chops, ribs, kofta (ground beef) and chicken; all of which are found in better restaurants.
• Chapli kebab, a specialty of eastern Afghanistan, is a fried hamburger. The original recipe of chapli Halal Kebab dictates a half Meat (or less), half flour mixture, which renders it lighter in taste and less expensive.
• Bolani, made in a very similar way as Mexican Quesadilla. Desserts and snacks
• Baklava
• Afghan Cake (similar to pound cake sometimes with real fruit or jelly inside)
• Gosh Feel (thin, fried pastry covered in powdered sugar and ground pistachios)
• Fernea (milk and cornstarch very sweet, similar to Rice pudding without the rice)
• Mou-rubba (fruit Sauces, sugar syrup and fruits, apple, sour cherry, various berries or made with dried fruits "Afghan favorite is the Alu-Bakhara")
• Kulcha (variety of cookies, baked in clay ovens with char-wood)
• Narenge Palau (dried sweet orange peel and green raisins with a variety of nuts mixed with yellow Rice glazed with light sugar syrup)

Where to stay

Hotels and guesthouses are available in all major city's and they are friendly and reliable.

Mobile phones

Mobile numbers in Afghanistan must always be dialed with all digits (10 digits, including a "0" prefixing the "70n" within Afghanistan), no matter where they are being called from. The 70n is a mobile prefix, not an "area code", as such and the third digit (the n part) denotes the original mobile network assigned. An example mobile number looks like +93 700-202-496.

• Roshan +93 79 997 1333. The most reliable service with the widest coverage. SMS is feasible to most countries. SIM cards cost USD8, local calls are Af 5/minute.

• Afghan Wireless Privately owned with 20% ownership by the government. AWCC has the only communications ring around the nation offering high speed mobile and data services throughout all provinces. AWCC also offers the highest speed fibre-based connections to the outside world, with roaming to over 300 other operators in 120 countries. Services include Voice, FAX, 4Gand EDGE data services along with WiMAX and dedicated high speed internet service with 45MB links to NYC and 45MB links to Paris. SIM cards cost USD1, local calls are Af 4.99/minutes billing in seconds.

• Areeba/MTN +93 77 222 2777. The cheapest cell service, offers the least coverage. SIM cards cost USD7, local calls are Af 5.5/minute.

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