Islam in Afghanistan

1. Islam in Afghanistan Rachel Seyfarth, Alison Hige, Fallon Reagan, and Megan Murphy

2. The Basics • 99% of Afghans practice Islam • 84% - Sunni • 15% - Shi’a Important figure for Afghan Muslims is The Mullah, a male religious teacher • Every neighborhood has a mosque • Place of worship • Shelter for guests • Focus of social religious festivities and schools • Represent a place of peace The 5 Pillars Daily Prayers Trip to Mecca Ramadan Charity No God except Muhammad

3. The Basics • Muslims pray to Mecca five times a day • Dawn • Noon • Afternoon • Sunset • Evening Friday is the Muslim Holy Day • The Holy Month of Ramadan • All Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk • Only permitted to work six hours a day

4. Family Life Arranged marriages are common Tribe, status, network, and wealth are the major factors forming any choice Families traditionally live together in a walled compound, known as the kala When a son gets married, he and his wife begin their married lives in a room under the same roof.

5. Customs 1960s: the wearing of a veil became voluntary, and many women were employed • Taliban 1996: authorities closed down girls’ schools and forced women to give up employment. Strong penalties applied against women who were not fully covered Women expected to wear loose fitting pants and to be sure the definition of their legs was undistinguishable; strongly advisable to wear a headscarf in public http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fa_fuSxOyM

6. Customs (Cont.) • Women and men never shake hands or speak directly to one another • If a man speaks to a woman directly, he is dishonoring her • If someone speaks to someone else on the street, that is equally inappropriate Taliban believes “Full beards are a mark of Muslim” – they are required Women avoid looking men in the eyes, keeping their eyes lowered when walking down the street to maintain your reputation as a proper woman

7. Connection to A Thousand Splendid Suns