The Unlikely Presence Of Jehovah's Witnesses In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a predominantly Islamic country, where the preaching of Christianity to Afghans has never been tolerated. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended that Afghanistan be added to the State Department's list of countries of particular concern regarding religious freedom violations. The Taliban's harsh interpretation of Sunni Islam and attacks on religious minorities by the Islamic State group have forced many minority groups to flee the country or worship in secret. Jehovah's Witnesses have been present in Afghanistan since 1957, but their activities are restricted to the transient foreign community as proselytising to locals is not permitted. While there may be no publishers currently in the country, Jehovah's Witnesses continue to face challenges and risks in their efforts to spread their message in Afghanistan.

Jehovah's Witnesses in Afghanistan must confine their work to the transient foreign community

Jehovah's Witnesses are among the "worst of the worst" in violating religious freedom, according to a US panel. Afghanistan is one of 15 nations that the US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommends should be on the State Department's list of "countries of particular concern". The report states that religious minorities in Afghanistan have "faced harassment, detention and even death due to their faith or beliefs" since the Taliban reimposed its strict interpretation of Sunni Islam on the country.

The US State Department's 2017 International Religious Freedom Report notes that in Afghanistan, "conversion from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy and is punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property".

Jehovah's Witnesses have been present in Afghanistan since 1957, when the first Witnesses arrived in the country. However, due to the country's religious restrictions, they have had to confine their work to the transient foreign community.

In recent years, the situation for Jehovah's Witnesses in Afghanistan has become even more challenging. The Taliban, who returned to power in 2021, have imposed strict religious rules and have been accused of harassing and attacking religious minorities. Many religious minorities, including Christians, have fled the country out of fear of persecution.

While there may be some Jehovah's Witnesses still present in Afghanistan, their activities are severely limited due to the country's religious restrictions and the current political situation.

Jehovah's Witnesses must rely on ingenuity to reach the local people with the Kingdom message

Jehovah's Witnesses have been present in Afghanistan since 1957, when the first Witnesses of Jehovah arrived in the country's capital, Kabul. However, due to the country's religious landscape and political climate, they have faced significant challenges in their efforts to spread the Kingdom message among the local population.

Afghanistan is almost entirely Islamic, and preaching Christianity to Afghans has never been tolerated. Criticizing the Koran or the Muslim religion is considered offensive to the king and can lead to expulsion from the country. As a result, Jehovah's Witnesses have had to confine their activities primarily to the transient foreign community while devising creative ways to reach Afghans with their message.

One strategy they employ is to recognize non-Afghan names on the gates of homes in Kabul. They ask the Afghan servant if a foreigner lives there and, if not, move on to the next house. Additionally, they keep literature in various languages and use displays of the Paradise book in multiple languages as a conversation starter with visitors.

Despite the challenges and risks, Jehovah's Witnesses continue to find creative ways to share their beliefs with the Afghan people, demonstrating ingenuity and perseverance in their mission work.

The population of Afghanistan is mostly illiterate peasants who speak only Pushto or Dari

Afghanistan is a predominantly Muslim country with a population of around 27 million. The country has a low literacy rate, with an estimated 12 million people aged 15 and above considered illiterate. The literacy rate among women is significantly lower than that of men, with only about 15% of women able to read and write, compared to 47% of men, according to UNICEF. The gap in literacy rates between men and women is due in part to the Taliban's restrictive policies, which have barred girls from attending school and prohibited women from working outside the home.

The population of Afghanistan speaks a variety of languages, with over 40 distinct languages recognised in the country. However, the two most prominent languages are Dari and Pashto, which are the official languages of Afghanistan and are spoken by the majority of the population. Dari, also known as Afghan Persian, is the most widely spoken language and serves as the lingua franca. It is estimated that 77-80% of the population speaks Dari, with some sources placing native speakers at around 50%. Pashto is spoken by about 48-50% of the population and is the native tongue of the Pashtuns, the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.

In addition to Dari and Pashto, other languages spoken in Afghanistan include Uzbek (10-11%), English (5-6%), Turkmen (2-3%), Urdu (2-3%), Pashayi (1%), Nuristani (1%), Arabic (1%), and Balochi (1%).

The low literacy rate and predominance of Dari and Pashto among the population suggest that a significant portion of the illiterate peasants in Afghanistan likely speak either of these two languages.

Well-educated Afghans usually speak at least one European language

Afghanistan is a linguistically diverse nation, with over 40 distinct languages. Dari and Pashto are the two most prominent languages in the country and have shared official status under various governments. Dari, as a shared language between multiple ethnic groups in the country, has served as a historical lingua franca between different linguistic groups in the region and is the most widely understood language in the country. Pashto is also widely spoken in the region. Dari and Pashto are also "relatives" as both are Iranian languages.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Dari Persian is spoken by 78% (L1 + L2) and functions as the lingua franca, while Pashto is spoken by 50%. Dari is the lingua franca of Afghanistan and the native tongue for many ethnic groups like the Aimaks, Hazaras, and Tajiks. Pashto is the native language of the Pashtuns, Afghanistan's dominant ethnic group. Multilingualism is very common in the country.

Jehovah's Witnesses must become expert at recognizing non-Afghan names on the gates when doing house-to-house work

Jehovah's Witnesses have been present in Afghanistan since 1957, when the first Witnesses of Jehovah arrived in the country's capital, Kabul. However, due to the country's predominantly Islamic religion, preaching Christianity to Afghans has never been tolerated. As a result, Jehovah's Witnesses must confine their ministry to the transient foreign community and rely on ingenuity to reach the local population.

When doing house-to-house work, Jehovah's Witnesses must become adept at recognising non-Afghan names on the gates. This is because Afghans traditionally only use a first name and lack a surname. When a surname is present, it usually represents a father's name, tribal affiliation, or an adjective describing the person. Thus, recognising non-Afghan names can help Jehovah's Witnesses identify foreign residents who may be more receptive to their message.

Additionally, Afghan homes typically have high walls and gates. When knocking on the gate, a servant may respond, and Witnesses must ask in Persian if a foreigner lives there. If the reply is negative, they apologise and try another house. This approach allows them to discreetly share their message while navigating the cultural and religious sensitivities of the local population.

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