Today is the first day of Eid Al'Adha. It is a time when all those who can afford it will purchase and slaughter a goat, sheep or cow and share the meat with the poor. Of course, the Eid also brings gifts and new clothes for the children and delicious meals and celebrations with loved ones. But the holiday has also retained this essential element, that it is a time to share what you have with those who don't have enough.
It's an inspiring example of generosity in a setting that could lead the best of us to think only of caring for ourselves and our own. It helps me deal with some of the more unpleasant aspects of life that I've been working with this week (like the ex-Taleb member of a Provincial Council who wanted an arrested kidnapper to be handed over to the community for lynching rather than being dealt with by the justice system).
I took this photo during Eid Al'Adha last year, I liked to think of these guys as the ones that got away. It is quite amazing to realise that I've been here a year, my Dari certainly doesn't show much progress. Today I had lunch with the family of one of our drivers, and I struggled to converse even with his adorable four year old daughter. But I did manage to convince her to come visit me in New Zealand, I think she thought it was somewhere near Kabul!
Today is the first day of Eid Al'Adha. It is a time when all those who can afford it will purchase and slaughter a goat, sheep or cow and share the meat with the poor. Of course, the Eid also brings gifts and new clothes for the children and delicious meals and celebrations with loved ones. But the holiday has also retained this essential element, that it is a time to share what you have with those who don't have enough.
It's an inspiring example of generosity in a setting that could lead the best of us to think only of caring for ourselves and our own. It helps me deal with some of the more unpleasant aspects of life that I've been working with this week (like the ex-Taleb member of a Provincial Council who wanted an arrested kidnapper to be handed over to the community for lynching rather than being dealt with by the justice system).
I took this photo during Eid Al'Adha last year, I liked to think of these guys as the ones that got away. It is quite amazing to realise that I've been here a year, my Dari certainly doesn't show much progress. Today I had lunch with the family of one of our drivers, and I struggled to converse even with his adorable four year old daughter. But I did manage to convince her to come visit me in New Zealand, I think she thought it was somewhere near Kabul!
4 comments:
I came across your blog -- I think thru My Marrakesh but I can't remember. I sometimes click links for so long that I don't know how I get to various places and blogs.
Your photos are fantastic. Your work sounds daunting and challenging. I'm lost for words, actually. I know so little about Afghanistan, really, except for news clips which I know do not give an accurate portrayal.
Thanks for documenting your experiences. I'll check back for more!
(PS - Pearl is my cat. I'm Kim)
Happy Eid!!
Interesting contrast - Christmas commercializm and little religious overtones. Eid - celebrating the piety of Ramadan and giving to the poor. I think we got it all wrong somewhere along the way.
Oh, she IS adorable! Happy Eid Al'Adha - or is that Eid mubarak?
Hey Farida: I wish you this email finds you in a good health.
I just came across you website today, after looking at your picture, I rememberd that I have seen you in a Coffee Shop in Herat province of Afghanistan. I think it was the Oasis Coffee Shop, and you were drinking Caramel Machyado.
Anyways, Take care.
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