It is almost everything you need to know about Afghanistan.

1. AFGHANISTAN
Presented By:
Safiullah and Saidzakirullah
Submitted To: Prof. Chetan T.R

2. A brief introduction
 The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked
country located within South Asia and Central Asia.
 It is bordered by Pakistan in the south and
east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,
and Tajikistan in the north and China in the far
northeast.
 It’s population is about 33 million.
It’s territory covers 652,864 km2 .
 It has Two official languages (Pashto and Dari).
 Recognized in 19/August/1919.
 Its currency is Afghani (AFN).

4. Demographics
 As of 2016 the population of Afghanistan is about 33,332,025 which includes, it’s refugees, still
living in Pakistan, Iran and other countries.
 Afghanistan has experienced gradual urbanization since the late 1990s.
 In 1999 around 79% of the country’s population lived in rural areas compared to around 74% in
2014.
 The only city with over one million residents is its capital (Kabul).
 Its large cities in order of population are: Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz,
Taloqan, Jalalabad, Puli Khumri, Charikar and Sheberghan etc.
According to the Population Reference Bureau, the Afghan population is estimated to increase
to 82 million by 2050.

5. Ethnic Group
 The population of the country is divided into a wide variety of Ethnolinguistic groups.
An approximate distribution of the ethnic group
Ethnic Group 2004-2014 estimate Pre-2004 estimate
Pashtun 42% 38–55%
Tajik 27% 26% (of this 1% are Qizilbash)
Hazara 8% 9–10%
Uzbek 9% 6–8%
Aimaq 4% 500,000 to 800,000
Turkmen 3% 2.5%
Baloch 2% 100,000
Others
(Pashayi, Nuristani, Arab, Brahui, Pa
miri, Gurjar, etc.)
4% 6.9%

6. Religion
 Over 99% of the Afghan population is Muslim, 80% Sunny and the remaining are Shias.
Thousands of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are also founded in the major cities of Afghanistan.
Until the 1890s Nuristan was known as Kafiristan (The unbelievers), because its religious
practices included animism, polytheism and shamanism.
Religion in Afghanistan
Religion and Sect Practiced in Percentage
Sunny Muslim 70.0%
Imamiyyah 25.0%
Ismailism 4.5%
Other religion 0.5%

7. Culture
 The Afghan culture has been around for over two millennium, it is mostly tribal society.
 Afghans have their own traditions, reflecting the multicultural and multilingual character of the
nation.
 In the Southern and Eastern region, the people live according to the Pashtun culture, by
following Pashtunwali and the remainder of the country is Persian and Turkic.
 Millions of Afghans who have been living in Pakistan and Iran over the last 30 years have been
influenced by the cultures of those neighboring nations.
 Afghans display pride in their culture, nation, ancestry and above all, their religion and
independence.
 The nation has a complex history that has survived either in its current cultures or in the form of
various languages and monuments.

8. Culture
 The two famous Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed
by the Taliban, who regarded them as idolatrous.
 The Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture is
renovating 42 historic sites in Ghazni until 2013, when
the province will be declared as the capital of Islamic
civilization.
Although literacy is very low,
classic Persian and Pashto poetry plays an important
role in the Afghan culture.
Some notable poets include Rumi, Rabi'a
Balkhi, Sanai, Jami, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman
Baba, Khalilullah Khalili, and Parween Pazhwak.

10. Holidays
Afghans have certain religious holidays such as:
1. Eid al fitr
2. Eid al Adha
3. Ashura
4. Mawlid.
Traditional Holidays:
1. Nowruz
2. New year
National Holidays:
1. Afghan Independence day
2. Mujahedeen Victory day

11. Hospitality
 A vital element of Afghan culture is the notion
of Hospitality.
 When you are invited whether business or
personal setting, it is important to accept it.
 Open displays of generosity and welcoming
behavior are essential qualities for measuring
an Afghan’s good reputation and character.

12. Business Etiquettes
 Establishing close personal contact is the key to all business deals in Afghanistan.
The concept of time in Afghanistan is not measured as strictly as time in western countries.
The Afghan working week begins on Saturday and ends on Thursday. Friday is the Muslim holy
day and considered part of the weekend.
Afghans place great emphasis on respect or dignity and are therefore cautious to maintain each
other’s honor.
Afghanistan is predominantly Muslim and for this reason time must be allocated during the
working day for prayer
Business cards are not wisely used in Afghanistan. However if you are given one, take it with
right hand.
 Taking phone calls should be anticipated because their relatives are very precious for them.

13. Do’s and Don'ts in Business
 Do shake hands with your Afghan colleagues when arriving and leaving
business discussions.
 Do dress suitably and in a conservative manner. Women should be covered
except for her face.
 Don’t ever criticize or correct your Afghan associates in front of other
colleagues.
Don’t ask them about their wife and females member of their family, it’s
considered private.
 Do expect them to stand close to you while talking to you.
 Don’t ever promise something you are not capable of doing it, they don’t like
liars.

14. Dining Etiquettes
Afghanistan has a completely different dining etiquette:
 They place a table clothe on the carpet.
Afghans gather around the table clothe and sit with their legs crossed under them.
 They start with Bismillah (by the name of Allah), you should start eating after the host.
 Males and females eat in two separate rooms.
 You must eat with your right hand.
 There is no such thing as toasting in Afghanistan.
 They end dining by thanking God for giving them the ability to provide food and make a living
for themselves, You should follow them.

15. Afghan Dining

16. Dari and PashtoEnglish
Hello! As-Salaam-Alaikum /‫علیکم‬ ‫سالم‬
The answer to hello. Wa-Alaikum-Salaam/‫سالم‬ ‫وعلیکم‬
Thank You Tashakur/ Manana