 Background
Afghanistan is a land of spectacular mountain beauty and grinding poverty. The largest people groups are the deeply conservative Pashtuns, the Persian speaking Tajiks and the despised Shi’ite Hazara. They all suffered greatly during the Russian invasion, followed by a brutal civil war and the very repressive Taliban regime. Afghanistan now has a democratically elected government, but still struggles to gain social and economic development.
Christianity
The Afghans are devout Muslims, so conversion to Christianity is fiercely resisted. However, some Afghans are disillusioned with Islam and have been able to hear the gospel through short-wave radio and personal witness. There are now a few scattered believers, and some tiny house churches.
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"I love the beautiful snow-covered mountains!"
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A view of the houses in Kabul reaching up the mountainside. |
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Fast Facts
Capital city Kabul
Population 28.3 million
Ethnic groups
Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%,
Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4%
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%, (No churches are permitted.)
Languages
Dari (official) 50%,
Pashto (official) 35%,
Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%
Scriptures The first Dari translation of the Bible was completed in 2008. New Testament exists in Pashto.
Literacy 12-43%
Link to Lonely Planet website/Afghanistan
Detail map: map of Afghanistan
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Cultural insight
"I've discovered that shame and honour is an all-encompassing worldview which looks at the world in a very different way than Westerners do." |
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"Every day I meet unique people and unique situations,
in a unique culture."
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