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GETTING TO KNOW THE BEAUTY OF AFGHANISTAN & ITS PEOPLE

PART 1

Compiled by Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

 

 Band-e Amir Lake in Afghanistan

“The surreal beauty of the lakes is a balm for every soul.”

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Lakes+in+Afghanistan&view=detail&id=37A3D6CE667462FDC451989941EDA5AB6EB785B2

 “I see so deeply within myself.

Not needing my eyes, I can see everything clearly.

Why would I want to bother my eyes again

Now that I see the world through His eyes?”

 —Rumi, 13th century poet

Born in 1207 in what is present day Afghanistan.

http://peacefulrivers.homestead.com/Rumipoetry1.html

 Afghanistan is land-locked, bordering Iran, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.  Once a part of the ancient Persian Empire, Afghanistan’s culture still exhibits Persian influences.  Of interest to students of the Bible is a reminder that the Israelites were in exile in Babylon (now Iraq) when Cyrus of Persia (now Iran) took the throne.  Cyrus allowed those Israelites who desired to do so to return home to Israel and ordered that the Temple of Jerusalem be rebuilt.  (See the biblical book of Ezra)  Not all Israelites (or Jews) chose to return to Israel.  There is evidence that the lost tribes of Israel settled in Afghanistan and Kashmir.[i]  You may read the article at the referenced Endnote.  Examples of the evidence are the fact that Kashmir, or Kashahmiri is a Hebrew word and an attributive name of the Israelites—Kashahmiri Jew.  Also, the most popular mountain pass in Afghanistan is called Khyber PassKhyber is a Hebrew name meaning a Fort.[ii]

 

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20000227.htm

  Kashmir is located in the northeast of Pakistan – it is a hotly disputed area.

 That the Lost Tribes of Israel settled in Afghanistan and Kashmir holds stunning significance at this point in time because the evidence leads to a reasonable conclusion that the Lost Tribes are now the Muslims of Afghanistan and Kashmir.[iii]  WE ARE TRULY ONE FAMILY OF GOD!

 Khyber Pass – the most northern and important passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Pakistan/West/North-West_Frontier/Khyber_Pass/photo252293.htm

 Afghanistan’s location, bordering five countries, means that its culture includes influences from a variety of nationalities.  The ancient Chinese Silk Road–a Trade Route of the 1st century B.C. connecting China with the Mediterranean Sea—also ran through Afghanistan.  The Silk Road sustained an international culture that brought together diverse groups.  Afghanistan was one of the many cosmopolitan countries in the Middle East—including Palestine during the time of Jesus—impacted culturally by the Chinese Silk Road international trade traffic.

 The Silk Road ran through 3 major cities of Afghanistan

Herat, Bamyan, & Kabul, as well as over the Hindu Kush Mountain range.

Hindu Kush Mountains

 Camel Train in Central Hindu Kush, near Hazarjat

 *************************

Needless to say, much of Afghanistan has been destroyed by decades of war.  I am choosing to focus on its natural beauty.

 *************************

 KABUL – THE CAPITAL CITY

 Kabul – the capital of Afghanistan

 Kabul – A pre-1990s photo

 Road from Kabul to Bamyan – home of the Hazara people

BAMYAN PROVINCE

 Bamyan is located on an ancient trade route between India and Central Asia; it was long a center of Buddhism.  Buddhists monks carved out the grottoes and Buddhas in the limestone mountain cliffs.  These Buddha statues are thought to be some of the world’s tallest.

http://my.englishclub.com/photo/afghanistan-bamyan-province?xg_source=activity

 BUDDHA CLIFF HANGING STATUES

  Cliff carving of Buddha in Bamyan City dating from the 3rd century A.D.

http://www.afghanchamber.com/States/Bamian.htm

 “The Great Compassionate Heart is the essence of Buddhahood.”

Buddhism.  Gandavyuha Sutra

Buddha – Cliff Carving

BLUE LAKES OF BAMYAN PROVINCE

 The Blue Lakes, located in the foothills of Hindu Kush, are incredibly deep and contain water so blue it looks like blue ink.  The deep blue color of the water is due to the clarity of the air and the purity of the water.  The high mineral content of the water also affects its varying shades of color.  These blue lakes are surrounded by towering, pink limestone cliffs. [iv]

 

 “God is beautiful and loves beauty.” 

Islam. Hadith of Muslim

 

A lake in Badakshan, Afghanistan near the Taijik border

 

 

 

 

      Village near the Band-e Amir Lakes

http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/04/deep-blue-lakes-of-band-e-amir.html

 

Band-e Amir Lakes

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/seven-stans-photos/#/dam-of-the-amir_12281_600x450.jpg

  Ghazmi Province, Afghanistan

  Grape Fields in Ghazmi Province

HERAT CITY

 Herat is the 3rd largest city in Afghanistan, located in the valley of the Hari River. [v]

 Herat City

 Herat City

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/hashmat/interesting/

 

Citadel in Herat City thought to have been built by Alexander the Great.

The presence of a citadel helped to place Herat City on the Chinese Silk Road map.

http://sjpaderborn.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/major-tourist-site-restored-in-herat-afghanistan-please-send-me-there-by-sean-mclachlan-gadling-com/

gold mine

Gold Mine in Nor Aaba, Afghanistan

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/263023/20111207/gold-worth-1-trillion-buried-afghanistan-mountains.htm

Afghanistan_Minerals

 Untapped Mineral Deposits in Afghanistan estimated to be worth between $1-$3 Trillion.

http://muftah.org/hope-amid-chaos-mineral-resources-afghanistans-economic-future/

 Ruby

Fine Ruby Mineral Deposit – http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/Ruby_types.aspx

 Ruby - 2

 Afghan Ruby – http://www.gems-afghan.com/cgi-bin/aslides.pl?11&156

  Ruby 3

Ruby from Jegdalek in Kabul Province – http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/mineralmuseum/picshow.php?id=21644

  lapislazuli1hb1

 Lapis Lazuli

http://www.maxicep.com/konu-disi/degerli-taslar-112593.html

  95168_metals_and_minerals

 Mineral Deposits

http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/u-s-discovers-1-trillion-in-untapped-mineral-deposits-in-afghanistan/

 IRRIGATION SYSTEM

  irrigated field

IRRIGATED FARM LANDS

http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Irrigated_farm_fields_-_Afghanistan_-_11-02-2008.jpg

  grape

Grape Harvesting

  Hazara farm

Hazara Farm

 The Hazara people are distinctive unto themselves, with their own religion, mixed ethnicity, and independent nature.  They have lived in Central Afghanistan since the pre-2nd century amidst rugged mountains—nearly inaccessible—a wildly beautiful area with craggy peaks and rushing rivers, called Hazarajat.

“A talented people, the Hazara truly enjoy poetry, often memorizing it and using it to teach children, as well as storytelling and music that is distinct to their culture. They are expert rug weavers, embroiderers and calligraphers (even through most are illiterate). Wrestling and a baseball-like game are favorite physical pastimes.

Hazara women are honored in legend and folk tales. Shunning burkas, their traditional garb is bright green and red floral dresses, worn without the long under-trousers customary in Afghan culture and accessorized with heavy stockings, fur-lined boots, beaded headgear and heavy, coin strung necklaces. Independent and industrious given opportunity, many pre-Taliban Hazara women were highly educated and entered teaching or medical professions as well as serving in political roles. And, unlike other Afghan women, they fought beside Hazara men in battle.” [vi]

potato

 Potato Farming

Potato farming

 Potato Farming

http://dai-global-developments.com/afghan-farmers-investing-in-livelihoods/

  rice

 Rice Farming

  Gardeli farm

Gardeli Farm Scene

  strawberry

 Strawberry Farming – the women earn about $5 daily

  Goat_farming_Afghanistan

Goat Farming

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goat_farming_Afghanistan.jpg

RIVERS IN AFGHANISTAN

Only one river in Afghanistan flows into the ocean.

 Kabul River 2

Kabul River

http://www.stevebrownrotary.com/Afghanistan/AfghanistanTrips/AfghTrip2005/AfghTripJan2005-Pictures.htm

 The Kabul River flows into the Indus River, which flows into the Arabian Ocean, a part of the Indian Ocean. [vii]  The Indus River is home to river dolphins. [viii]

indus-river-dolphin

Indus River Dolphin

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=indus+river+dolphin&num=10&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=635&tbm=isch&tbnid=RrzKzrVYfztHEM:&imgrefurl=http://www.learnanimals.com/indus-river-dolphin/&docid=v1dSgGOjSmfFEM&imgurl=http://www.learnanimals.com/indus-river-dolphin/indus-river-dolphin.jpg&w=200&h=151&ei=jGZ7UMyyJeyH0QH-zIHoDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=601&sig=106247280561685873866&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=160&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:92&tx=76&ty=66

Pech River

Pech River in eastern Afghanistan – http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7213018

Salang Pass

River near Salang Pass in Northern Afghanistan

 DESERT AREA OF AFGHANISTAN

 Tashkurgan

Tashkurgan – an ancient caravan city

http://ai.stanford.edu/~latombe/mountain/photo/afghanistan/afghanistan.htm

  Balochistan

Afghan Mountains – semi-desert Baluchistan in southern Afghanistan

http://mobandmultitude.com/tag/baluchistan/

PERSIAN TEA HOUSE

  tea house

Tea House in Herat

  Pak tea

Pak Tea House

 PERSIAN GARDENS

 Babur

Garden of Babur in Kabul [ix]

These gardens are believed to have been developed in 1528.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_of_Babur

  tulip_national_flower_afghanistan

 Tulips are Afghanistan’s National Flower

“This magnificent flower was originated in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountain ranges of Afghanistan and central Asia.  In the Persian empire Tulip was named as “Laleh” and it was grown in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia.”

http://www.thelovelyplanet.net/national-flowers-of-the-saarc-countries/

 FOR USE WITH FEATURE STORY KASHMIR SAFFRON.

http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/pakistan-articles/caii/features/pakistan/business/2011/01/11/feature-02

Saffron Harvested in Herat

Afghan farm workers gather saffrons on a farm in Herat

Saffron 3

Harvesting Saffron

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/06/17/Afghan_concern_over_saffron_price_drop/

 Saffron is being used to replace the poppies in some parts of

Afghanistan.  Saffron is used in perfumes, food coloring, and fabric dyes.  It possesses anticarcinogenic qualities.

  yellow

Colchicum Inteum – native to Afghanistan, India, & China

It flowers with the leaves as the snow melts in March – July.  It requires perfect drainage.

http://www.hillkeep.ca/bulbs%20colchicum.htm

  praying

  Praying inside Garden of Babur in Kabul

“Your Lord says, “Call on Me; I will answer your prayer.”   Islam. Qur’an 40.60

 “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon him in truth.”   Judaism & Christianity.  Psalm 145:18

 “When My servant ask you concerning Me, I am indeed Close to them.  I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me.”  Islam.  Qur’an. 2.186

 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.”  Judaism & Christianity.  Psalm 55:22

Lake

Band-e Amir Lake

 “No person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden for them—as a reward for their good deeds.”  Islam. Qur’an 32.17

“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.”  Christianity.  I Corinthians 2:9

“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.”  Judaism & Christianity.  Psalm 16:11

“For those who believe and work righteousness, is blessedness, and a beautiful place of return.”  Islam. Qur’an 13.28-29

 WE ARE TRULY ONE FAMILY OF GOD!

Part 2

http://pathwaytoascension.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/getting-to-know-the-beauty-of-the-afghan-people-part-2/ 


[i]   http://www.answering-christianity.com/lost_people_of_israel.htm –  “The lost tribes of Israel are now the Muslims of Afghanistan and Kashmir.”

[ix]   More information is given regarding the reason for and construction of Persian Gardens at:  http://pathwaytoascension.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/getting-to-know-the-beauty-of-the-people-of-iran-part-ii/

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