Afghanistan has been blessed with a great variety of precious and semi precious stones. Some of the earliest records of mining in the world are from Afghanistan, dating back to over 6,500 years ago. Even after years of brutal war, my country remains rich in precious and semi precious gemstone deposits. Some of Afghanistan’s precious and semi precious gemstones include: lapis lazuli, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tourmaline, kunzite, aquamarine, spodumene and beryl.
The lapis lazuli gem is Afghanistan’s most recognized and world famous stone. Its name is derived from the Latin word lapis, which means stone, and the Persian word lazhward which carries the meaning blue. It is from Badakhshan, a province in the north of the country. It is often used to make beads, and is very popular for among men for their choice of jewelry.
Emeralds, which are a lovely dark green color, are found in the valleys of the province Panjshir. The rocks in which the emeralds embedded in lie in the Panjshir Valley at elevations of 3000–4000 M.
The Ruby is a rich blood red colored gem. Its name comes from ruber, which is Latin for red. It is found in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, and also in Badakshan province. Marco Polo has written about the rubies of Afghanistan in his travelogues, claiming “…It is in this province that those fine and valuable gems the Balas Rubies are found.”
Lapis Lazuli
Ruby
Emerald
Islam is the religion of Afghanistan. It is a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the Quran. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. They believe that the Quran is the word of God, revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad. Muhammad’s sayings and actions are called Sunnah and were documented during his lifetime. These were collected by Muslim scholars of early generations into large volumes called Hadith. Muslims regard these collections as spiritual guidances in addition to the Quran. In Islam there is only one unforgivable sin, which is worshiping another god or giving gods qualities to a person, animal or drawing. As well as having religious laws, Islam has laws on how the government should be run. These laws are called “Sharia law”.
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. Faith: The Testimony is the Muslim belief that there is no god but Allah Himself, and that Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Prayer: Muslims pray five times at special times of the day, facing the holy city Mecca.
3. Charity: Muslims who have money must give alms to help poor Muslims in the local community.
4. Fasting: Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. They do not eat or drink from sunrise till sunset for one lunar month. After Ramadan, there is a holiday called Eid al-Fitr. Muslims usually have a party with families and friends and go to the mosque in the morning for a special prayer.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): During the Hajj season, many Muslims go to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam, which is in Saudi Arabia. Muslims must make the hajj at least once in their life if they can afford to do so. There is no need if a Muslim does not have the money to make the Hajj. At the end of Hajj season, there is a holiday called Eid al-Adha. Muslims in general who can afford or who have made the Hajj must buy an animal, usually a goat, to sacrifice it and cook as food or give away to the poor, if they have the money for it. Muslims believe that Abraham, one of Allah’s earliest messengers, was told by Allah on the day of Eid al-Adha to sacrifice his son in Jerusalem. But the angel Gabrie congratulated Abraham’s obedience to Allah and gave him a lamb instead.
Afghanistan has two main holidays, Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Muslim holidays generally follow the lunar calendar, and for this reason, move each year relative to the calendar. The Islamic calendar has 12 months and approximately 354-355 days.
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims must fast from sun-up to sun-down. This is meant to feel how the poor people are without food or water. In addition, Muslims close their bodies off from earthly demands by denying themselves food and drink. This in turn allows for the nourishment of the soul.
Fasting is more than just the mere denial of food and drink. Muslims must also abstain from smoking and sexual contact. In addition, there are culture-specific beliefs regarding the watching of television, listening to music, and the perusal of anything that does not in some way enhance spirituality.
Afghan girls wear fancy dress as they swing on a merry-go-round celebrating the first day of Eid-al-Fitr, a three day holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan September 20, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. During the holiday Afghans visit friends and family exchanging gifts and feasting.
A woman wearing the burqa, in front of the famous Blue Mosque in Mazar e Sharif
May 2005- Angelina Jolie sits beside an Afghan boy in the refugee camp of Katcha Ghari on the edge of the Pakistani city of Peshawar