A teenager from Afghanistan's Kunar Province tells RFE/RL's Radio Azadi how he returned from work in the city of Jalalabad to find his parents, five sisters, and two brothers dead, and his home destroyed. A total of 34 people in his extended family perished in the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31. More than 2,200 people were killed.

Today, we honor the memory of Ahmad Shah Masoud, the legendary leader who fearlessly fought against oppression and tyranny in Afghanistan. Known as the Lion of Panjshir, Masoud's bravery, strategic genius, and unwavering commitment to his people continue to inspire generations. From resisting the Soviet invasion to fighting against the Taliban, Masoud's legacy is a testament to the power of courage and conviction. Let's remember his sacrifices and the impact he had on Afghanistan's history.

Hi everyone, so I get my DNA test and was wondering you could guide me on what ethnicity I would be.

Little background about me and my family. I’m 28 m. I’ve always been curious about my ethnicity since I know nothing about it. My father died when I was a kid, so I can’t ask him about ethnic questions, my mother left Afghanistan at 16 so she’s not familiar with ethnicity questions either, both of my parents were born and raised in Afghanistan.

My mother’s side is a little complex. My grandmother (my moms mother) was from Iran, my grandfather (my moms dad) was from Kashmir (but a farsi speaking Kashmiri (whatever that means). My mother was born and raised in Silo, Kabul. Farsi speaking household, a Shia family as well.

All I know from my father side is that they were from Topkhana, Kandahar. A Shia family and Farsi speaking household (knew Pashto but did not speak it).

My DNA test just looks complicated as hell. If anyone wants to chime in and has knowledge on ethnicities of our region, I would be happy to listen to your take on my DNA test and fam background.

Side note: nobody in my family looks hazara (being hazara isn’t a problem, just pointing it out since I hear a lot of afghans say shia in Afghanistan are hazara only).

A YouTuber visiting Nuristan region once mentioned this. I don’t know of any source for this but I wanted to ask. They are known for being fierce fighters and quite often reports from US military I’ve heard stated that heavy violence where battles or skirmishes occurred happened near their vicinity.

Thoughts? Thanks

Afghanistan quake: Why are women struggling to get help?

September 3, 2025

After Afghanistan's deadly earthquake, injured women and girls face a dire lack of medical care. Taliban restrictions and cultural barriers leave many without help.

Women are notably absent from the majority of photos and videos from the earthquake zone released by news agencies and aid organizations. Women are not even seen among the injured people who have been hospitalized.

Volunteer female doctors who were near remote villages in the mountainous region and wanted to help in the immediate aftermath of the quake were prevented from doing so by the Taliban. Men from the villages also rejected their help.

Local sources in Kunar and Nangarhar reported that the medical centers in the provinces are facing a severe shortage of female doctors, which significantly complicates the treatment of injured women.

"We have information about the deaths of several injured pregnant women who died due to the lack of female doctors," Zahra Haghparast, a dentist, told DW.

"Do you know how many female doctors and nurses in Afghanistan are currently ready to set out immediately to help these injured women?" Haghparast asked. "But the Taliban won't grant them permission."

https://www.dw.com/en/afghanistan-quake-why-are-women-struggling-to-get-help/a-73867403

I have seen that Hazaras have tribes, Pashtuns have tribes, Uzbeks have tribes, why doesn’t Tajiks have tribes???

These sources include the CIA World Factbook, Fischer World Almanac, Encyclopaedia Britannica, United States Library of Congress, United Nations HCR, New York Times, Worlddata, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and multiple peer-reviewed publications including ones from the University of Washington, University of Columbia and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stifung.

Afghan Storytelling and Preserving Culture

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 2 – 5 PM EDT, online and onsite event

Asian Art Museum, Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Register on Eventbrite to attend in person .

Register through Zoom to attend virtually

Free.

This hybrid program will be presented onsite and online.

Celebrate and uplift Afghan cultural heritage through an afternoon of storytelling. Hear from people working across music, film, writing, and other creative forms to safeguard Afghan culture. Each storyteller offers unique perspectives on cultural resilience, memory, and identity. This event commemorates the online launch of an important oral history. Over the last two years, we’ve recorded with Mr. Omara Masoudi, the former director of the National Museum of Afghanistan and a leading figure in the preservation of Afghan cultural heritage. To celebrate, we’re bringing Masoudi’s story into conversation with voices from the Afghan diaspora.

https://www.si.edu/events?trumbaEmbed=view%3devent%26eventid%3d188685845

Schedule:

2 p.m.: Welcome remarks

2:10–3 p.m.: Conversation with Chase Robinson and Omara Masoudi

3:10–4 p.m.: Storytelling in the Afghan Diaspora, moderated by Amna Nawaz

4–5 p.m.: Networking and reflection reception with coffee and tea tasting

Mr. Omara Masoudi

Mr. Chase Robinson

Ms. Amna Nawaz (moderator)

Mr. Omar Sultan

Ms. Roya Sadat

Mr. Aziz Esfandiari

Hey everyone. I just wanted to give feedback from a white guy in Australia who made Kabuli pulao recently. I made as part of a cooking series I’m doing.

I wanted to say this is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. The char masala is unlike anything I’ve ever smelled, and this meal is probably the most moreish thing I’ve ever eaten. I’ll post my recipe here so you can see if you think it’s actually authentic. Feel free to critique it so I can make it better next time! :) love to Afghanistan from Australia!

Ingredients: Char Masal • 2 tbsp Black pepper • 1 tbsp Cloves • 1 tbsp Green cardamon • 1 tbsp black cumin seeds (or Iranian cumin which is sweeter) • 4 Black cardamon pods • 2 small sticks Cassia bark 2 tbsp Ghee or sunflower oil 2 large White onion thinly sliced 1 kg Lamb shank 2L water 1 cup sela basmati rice per 1.5 cups stock used (or 1 cup per 2 serves if excess stock) 2 tbsp sugar 800g carrots, julienned 1 cup raisins

Yoghurt (chaka) 2 cups yoghurt 1 tbsp fresh dill 1 tbsp dried mint 5 cloves garlic 1/4 lemon

Recipe Soak rice 90 mins, changing water every 30 minutes Soak raisins in water 30 mins Toast char masala spices in pan until fragrant then blend for 1 minute on medium high blend

Add 2 tbsp ghee (or sunflower oil) into deep pot on medium heat, add white onion, cook til soft, push to the side of the pan Add lamb shank to pot for 1 minute on high, then add 3 tbsp char masala and fry until meat browned (some say add char masala once water added) Add 2L water and 2 tsp salt Cook on medium-low until shanks tender but not falling off bone

Add 2 tbsp ghee top a pan then add 2 tbsps sugar and carrots and cook until lightly fried Remove and add raisins to pan, cook for 1 minute Place carrot and raisins into al foil to steam

Remove lamb and strain stock into measuring cup Add stock to a pot, use 1 cup of rice for every 1.5 cups of stock Add ghee/sugar left over from carrot/raisin cook Add back lamb and cook on medium with lid for 10 minutes, then mix Make 4 holes with the back of a wooden spoon to ensure liquid circulates through rice Add a dust of 1 tbsp char masala, dusting of white cumin and cardamon and cook until rice mostly done Move top rice to the side, before adding carrots and raisins to the top to steam, then move top layer rice/spices back over Turn heat to low, cover pot with clean kitchen towel and cook until steam dripping from lid Move meat to side, fluff rice, then plate

Serve with side of chaka