Christmas In Afghanistan: A Cultural Blend Of Traditions

Afghanistan is a devoutly Muslim country, and Christmas is not a widely celebrated holiday there. For most Afghans, December 25th is like any other day, with people going to work and no festive decorations on the streets. However, in the heart of Kabul, on Flower Street, local vendors sell Christmas trees adorned with tinsel and lights to foreigners living in the city, who quietly celebrate the holiday in restaurants and behind military barracks.

Christmas in Afghanistan is like any other day

In Afghanistan, a devoutly Muslim country, Christmas Day is like any other day. People go to work, and there are no festive lights or decorated trees—except on Flower Street in Kabul, where local vendors sell Christmas trees to foreigners.

While Afghanistan does not officially recognise or celebrate Christmas, thousands of foreigners living in Kabul quietly mark the occasion in restaurants and behind military barracks. For them, Christmas in Afghanistan is not like any other day. They buy trees from Flower Street, adorned with Chinese-made artificial decorations, and some Afghans have made a business out of this demand.

Eidy Mohammad, who decorates trees at the Morsal Flower Store, said:

> After the Taliban, we started to make Christmas trees because lots of foreigners are around, and they are asking for them. Business is growing — we had only the wedding season before, but now we have Christmas as well.

Christmas trees were banned under the Taliban, but now vendors can make a good profit. Mohammad has sold about a dozen trees, earning $20 to $200 each—a large sum in a country where many people earn just $50 per month.

While Afghans do not celebrate Christmas, they do enthusiastically celebrate their own national holidays. These include the New Year, which falls between January and March according to the Islamic calendar, and Independence Day on 19 August. Religious holidays are observed according to the lunar calendar, while Independence Day and New Year's Day follow the solar calendar.

Foreigners in Kabul celebrate Christmas

While Afghanistan is a devoutly Muslim country and does not officially recognize or celebrate Christmas, the holiday is observed by the thousands of foreigners living in Kabul. These foreigners work with organizations like the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, or international military forces.

For these expatriates, Christmas in Kabul revolves around Flower Street, located in the heart of the city. This street is transformed during the holiday season, filled with Christmas trees adorned with multicolored tinsel garlands and twinkling lights. The vendors on Flower Street cater to the demands of foreigners, providing them with trees, decorations, and a festive atmosphere.

Eidy Mohammad, a shop owner on Flower Street, shared that his business has expanded beyond the wedding season to include Christmas. He and other vendors sell and decorate Christmas trees, charging between $20 and $200 per tree—a significant sum in a country where the average monthly income is around $50. The trees are sourced from various regions of Afghanistan and decorated with Chinese-made artificial ornaments.

The presence of foreigners celebrating Christmas in Kabul has led to some curious and appreciative observations from locals. Abdul Qader, a 29-year-old local, initially thought the lit-up trees were a new trend in Afghan home decor before realizing their connection to Christmas. He shared that the sight of the decorated trees amused and captivated him.

While Christmas is a quiet affair for foreigners in Kabul, it does provide a boost to the local economy, particularly for flower stores and vendors on Flower Street. It also offers a glimpse of festive cheer to the city, even if only on one unique street.

Christmas trees are sold on Flower Street in Kabul

While Afghanistan is a devoutly Muslim country and does not officially recognise or celebrate Christmas, the festive spirit can be found on Flower Street in Kabul. Here, Christmas trees are sold to members of the expatriate community who live in the country and want to celebrate the holiday.

Flower Street, located in the heart of Kabul, is a hub of festive cheer during Christmas. The street is adorned with multicoloured tinsel garlands and twinkling lights, a stark contrast to the rest of the city, where pine trees remain undecorated. The vendors on Flower Street cater to the demand for Christmas trees from foreigners, including those working with the United Nations, non-governmental organisations, and international military forces.

Eidy Mohammad, a shop owner at the Morsal Flower Store, shared that they began making Christmas trees after the Taliban's rule ended because of the demand from foreigners. The Christmas season provides an additional source of income for flower stores on Flower Street, and they offer both live and artificial trees adorned with decorations.

The Christmas trees sold on Flower Street are sourced from various parts of Afghanistan and decorated with Chinese-made artificial materials. The prices of these trees range from $20 to $200, a significant amount considering the average monthly income in Afghanistan is around $50.

The presence of Christmas trees on Flower Street in Kabul reflects the diverse community within Afghanistan and the desire to accommodate the celebratory needs of expatriates during the holiday season.

Afghans celebrate Islamic holidays according to the lunar calendar

Afghanistan is a devoutly Muslim country and does not recognize or celebrate Christmas. However, thousands of foreigners who live in Kabul do celebrate the holiday.

The timing of the months in the Islamic calendar is based on astronomical observation. A new month can only begin after a Waxing Crescent Moon is observed shortly after sunset. The days in the Islamic calendar begin at sunset and end at the next sunset. The beginning of each month is marked by the observance of a new moon seen for the first time.

Islamic holidays such as Ramadan and Eid are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. During Ramadan, Afghans don't eat or drink anything during the day and almost all restaurants and businesses are closed. Eid e Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with collective prayers in mosques, followed by gatherings with friends and family to enjoy a feast. Eid e Qurban falls between December and February on the Afghan calendar, during which animals like goats, camels, or sheep are sacrificed to mark the commencement of the Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj).

Other Islamic holidays include Ashura, Mawleed al Nabi, and Eid ul-Adha. Ashura falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Husayn, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. Mawleed al Nabi is celebrated between the months of March and May and commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of the Sacrifice, falls on the third day of Hajj and lasts for four days.

Afghanistan has its own New Year celebrations

Afghanistan does not celebrate Christmas, but the country has its own New Year celebrations. Known as Nau Roz, it is the most joyous time in the country, along with Independence Day. Held between January and March, depending on the Islamic calendar, Nau Roz is the most popular festival in Afghanistan.

During Nau Roz, farmers express gratitude for abundant produce, and people celebrate with music and dance. It is also during the Nau Roz festival that buzkashi matches or tournaments are held.

Like many other countries, Afghanistan's New Year falls on March 21, the first day of spring. However, the country celebrates it according to the Islamic calendar, so the date varies from year to year.

The Afghan New Year is a time for families and friends to come together. People usually visit each other, prepare lavish meals, and attend special prayers. It is a time of zeal and devotion for Afghans, who are enthusiastic about their national celebrations.

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