News

Life in Afghanistan

From the 1st Annual Photo Issue

By JASON FLORIO

PHOTOS BY JASON FLORIO

The picture of the cat is outlawed by the Taliban. All photography and illustrations of living beings are banned. The Taliban believe such pictures detract from concentration on God and create false idols.

I found these nomads camped in the desert en route to the Helmund River (about a 26-day walk). The severe drought had killed most of their animals and they believed getting to the river would save them and the few animals they had left. I crossed the river by truck the next day. It was dry.

This is a secret home school in Heart. The Taliban forbids women from working or being educated but there is an underground school system for girls anyway. Female teachers without formal jobs teach the girls in whatever discreet locations they can. This one was above a mechanics shop.

A rich businessman from Heart performs “zakit” (charity). In Islam you are supposed to give two and a half percent of your profits away each year. He gave away about 1000 dollars to these refugees.

A transit camp near Heart. Approximately 3.5 million Afghans became refugees during the past 20 years of conflict. This camp is for Afghan refugees repatriated from Iran. The girls here had never been to their own country before.