Family And Faith: Exploring The Sacred Bond In Afghanistan's Cultural Tapestry

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam, and the remaining practising Shia Islam or other religions. Islam is deeply rooted in the country's culture and daily life, influencing everything from the way people dress to how they greet each other. The family is the most important aspect of life in Afghanistan, and Afghan culture is highly collectivistic, with family interests taking precedence over individual needs. Family matters are kept private, and loyalty to one's family supersedes obligations to one's tribe or ethnicity.

Afghan households are typically large and multigenerational, with adult children often living with their parents or in-laws. The family structure is patriarchal, with the eldest male holding the most authority and decision-making power. Men are usually the breadwinners, while women are responsible for domestic chores and raising children.

Religion plays a significant role in shaping family life in Afghanistan. The Islamic faith promotes strong family bonds and a sense of honour and shame that influences social interactions and behaviours. For example, the concept of honour is closely tied to the protection of women, modes of dress, and social interaction. Religious beliefs also dictate gender roles and expectations, with men seen as breadwinners and women as homemakers.

Additionally, religious practices such as Ramadan influence daily routines and work schedules. During Ramadan, most Afghans fast from dawn to dusk and are permitted to work only six hours a day. Friday, the Muslim holy day, is also a day of rest, with shops, businesses, and government offices closed.

While there are variations in religious practices and family structures among different ethnic groups, Islam and the family remain central to Afghan society and daily life.

The role of religion in family life

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam, and the remaining practising Shia Islam. Religion plays a paramount role in the daily life and social customs of Afghans, influencing everything from the way they dress, greet others, eat, sleep and work.

Islam is practised by 99% of Afghans and governs much of their personal, political, economic and legal lives. It is an obligation for Muslims to pray five times a day and fast during Ramadan. The weekend in Afghanistan is Thursday and Friday, to allow for the Muslim holy day of Friday.

The family is the most important aspect of life in Afghanistan, and family responsibilities take precedence over personal needs. Afghan households are generally large and multigenerational, with adult children often living with their parents or in-laws. The family unit is patriarchal, with the eldest male having the most authority and decision-making power. Men are generally the breadwinners, while women are responsible for domestic chores, cooking, raising children, and entertaining guests.

Marriage is considered an essential component of life in Afghanistan, and divorce is rare and stigmatised. Families often arrange marriages for their children, taking into account factors such as tribe, status, wealth and family background. Polygyny is permitted but not widely practised.

The role of religion is evident in the expectations of gender roles and relations. Women are expected to dress modestly and avoid social interaction with men, including eye contact. They are also discouraged from working or studying outside the home. While these restrictions have eased in recent years, women still face societal pressure to conform to traditional gender norms.

Religious leaders, such as mullahs, play a significant role in Afghan society. Mosques serve not only as places of worship but also as schools, guesthouses, and community gathering spaces. Religious scholars and councils advise the government and promote intra-faith tolerance.

Overall, religion plays a central role in shaping family life in Afghanistan, influencing gender roles, marriage practices, social norms, and the overall structure of the family unit.

Religious freedom in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam and 10-15% practising Shia Islam. The remaining 0.3% of the population follow other religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Christianity.

Afghanistan's constitution establishes Islam as the state religion, but it also stipulates that followers of other religions may exercise their faith within the limits of the law. However, in practice, nonconformity is dangerous. Conversion from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy, punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property. Blasphemy is also a capital crime, and proselytising by non-Muslims is illegal.

The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, have imposed a harsh and strict interpretation of Sunni Islam, which poses a grave threat to all Afghans of differing interpretations and faiths. The Taliban persecuted members of other Islamic sects, as well as non-Muslims, during their previous rule. They established a "Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice", which enforced edicts on dress code, employment, access to medical care, behaviour, religious practice, and expression. Persons found to be in violation of these edicts were punished with beatings and detention.

The Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law has resulted in the persecution of Shia Muslims, particularly the Hazara ethnic group, who are predominantly Shia. The Taliban have been accused of committing mass killings of Hazaras and forcing them to flee their homes.

Other religious minority groups, including Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Baha'is, have also faced persecution and violence in Afghanistan. They have reported continued harassment from Muslims and discrimination in the judicial system. Their places of worship have been targeted by extremist groups, and they have been unable to openly practice their faiths due to fear of violent reprisal.

The situation for religious minorities in Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate following the Taliban's return to power. Violations against minorities have increased, and many have fled the country out of fear of persecution.

The influence of Islam on gender roles

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam and the remaining practising Shia Islam. Islam has been the primary religion in the region since the 7th century AD. The religion plays a paramount role in the daily life and social customs of Afghans, influencing everything from the way they dress to how they greet others.

Islam has a significant influence on gender roles in Afghanistan, with the religion's teachings and cultural traditions shaping the dynamics between men and women. While the Quran, the holy book of Islam, states that men and women are spiritually equal, this notion has not been reflected in laws and practices within the country.

In Afghanistan, gender roles are highly patriarchal and rigidly defined by cultural norms and interpretations of Islamic texts. Men are typically viewed as the primary income earners and are expected to be the "guardians" and protectors of their families. Women, on the other hand, often take on domestic roles and are responsible for household chores, child-rearing, and entertaining guests.

Islamic practices, such as the requirement for women to obtain their husband's consent before working outside the home, reinforce these traditional gender roles. Additionally, women's mobility and participation in public life are often restricted to preserve their honour and prevent fitna (sexual disorder). This is further exacerbated by the requirement for women to be accompanied by a male relative in public and to adhere to modest dress codes, such as wearing a burqa or chador.

However, it is important to note that gender roles can vary within Afghanistan due to factors such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and region. Some progressive families may view women as equally deserving of opportunities like education and participation in public life.

The Impact of the Taliban

The Taliban's interpretation of Islam and their rise to power have also significantly influenced gender roles in Afghanistan. The Taliban imposed extreme restrictions on women, resulting in their seclusion and exclusion from public life. They banned women's involvement in education and most occupations, enforcing a strict moral code of dress and behaviour. While some restrictions have eased since the Taliban's removal from power, they continue to shape gender roles and the position of women in Afghan society.

Religious persecution and attacks

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam and 10% following Shia Islam. However, the country also has a small number of religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Baha'is, who together constitute less than 0.3% of the population.

• The Taliban has persecuted and attacked Shia Muslims, who make up about 10% of the population. They have been accused of committing mass killings and massacres of Shia Muslims, particularly the Hazara ethnic group, which is predominantly Shia.
• The Taliban has also targeted other religious minorities, such as Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. In March 2021, gunmen raided a Sikh religious complex in Kabul, killing 25 people. This attack caused further fear and anxiety among these minority groups.
• There have been reports of discrimination and violence against Sikhs and Hindus, with community leaders estimating only about 550 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus remain in the country. They have faced religious persecution, discrimination, and violence, with many fleeing to other countries during the decades of war and the rise of the Taliban.
• Christians, who are mostly converts from Islam, have also faced severe persecution. If their faith is discovered, they can face a death sentence, detention, or torture. They must keep their faith secret and live, work, and identify as Muslims to avoid persecution.
• Baha'is and Christians have reported living in constant fear of exposure, reluctant to reveal their religious identities due to the risk of persecution and discrimination.
• There have been reports of local Muslim religious leaders harassing women of different faiths over their attire, leading to most women wearing some form of head covering in public.
• The Taliban has imposed restrictions on social activities deemed inconsistent with Islamic doctrine, such as education for females and female participation in sports.
• The Taliban has also taken over schools in areas under their control and imposed their own curricula, which include their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
• The Taliban has warned mullahs (religious leaders) not to perform funeral prayers for government security officials, and there have been reports of Taliban members killing religious leaders who preach messages contrary to their interpretation of Islam.
• Religious minorities, including Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Ahmadiyya Muslims, have reported verbal harassment and physical attacks by some Muslims. They have also faced challenges in practicing their religions publicly and securing places of worship due to societal discrimination and a lack of employment opportunities.
• The Taliban has been accused of destroying historic religious sites, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan statues, which were destroyed in 2001 despite international appeals for their preservation.

Overall, religious persecution and attacks in Afghanistan have been directed primarily at religious minorities by extremist groups, particularly the Taliban, and have resulted in violence, discrimination, and restrictions on religious freedom and practices. These attacks have caused fear and anxiety among religious minorities, with many choosing to leave the country or living in constant fear of exposure.

Religious education

Religion is deeply intertwined with family life in Afghanistan, with almost all expressions of Afghan culture shaped by a belief in Islam. The religion governs much of Afghans' personal, political, economic, and legal lives.

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with 90% of the population following Sunni Islam, and 10-15% practising Shia Islam. Islam has been the primary religion in the region since it was introduced in the 7th century.

The family is the most important aspect of life in Afghanistan, and Afghan culture is highly collectivist. Family responsibilities and interests are placed above personal needs and loyalties. Honour and shame are important concepts in Afghan culture, and these drive much of the behaviour surrounding the protection of women, modes of dress, social interaction, education, and economic activity.

The Afghan educational system is limited, especially in rural areas. Many young children are taught by the village mullah or their parents. Children are expected to show reverence and deference to their parents and elders, and obedience to an elder's wishes is seen as extremely important.

The Afghan government has declared Islam the official state religion, and the country's educational curriculum is based on the provisions of Islam. The Education Law of 2008 mandates nine years of compulsory education, and free education through to bachelor's level. The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the administration of primary, secondary, vocational, and religious education.

The primary curriculum includes religious studies, first language (Dari or Pashtu, depending on the region), mathematics, arts, and physical education. At the end of grade 6, students can choose to pursue a religious studies track or a more general education track. The vast majority of students pursue the latter.

The Taliban imposed a strict Islamic code in areas under its control, banning television and most other forms of entertainment. They also closed girls' schools and forced women to give up employment. However, in the post-Taliban era, schools have been reopened, including for girls, and women are once again entering the workforce.

Frequently asked questions