Christmas in Afghanistan

It’s Christmas Day. Well, it might be in many countries in the world, in Afghanistan, as it is a Muslim country, we are working. Though Muslims believe, like the Christians, in Jesus Christ and Maria’s virgin birth they do not celebrate Christmas. In Islam Jesus is not the Son of God, but one of God's (Allah’s) most beloved messengers, a prophet (next to the other prophets: Moses, Abraham, Jonas and Mohammad – the last prophet - thus his title Seal of the Prophets) and the Masih, strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

But, back to Christmas Day and Christmas feeling. I have been to one of these American supermarkets near the ISAF compound, beside their usual assortment of many alcoholic drinks and “clean and save food” that had acclimatized to the world Christmas season and were selling all types of Christmas chocolate and all this pure unadulterated kitsch, Santa Claus in all sizes, garlands. The price tells u that they bring everything one by one, seated business class via Dubai. So I went out as I came in, demonstrating my international Passport without which u cannot even enter.

So, Christmas Eve and I am working! And even if I had no Christmas feeling at all these last weeks, today I am missing home. Guess most of the people who have spend Christmas far from family know this feeling (it’s also my second Christmas abroad in a row, last year in India). For the night we ask another German friend – Conny - to join us home, so that both of us would not be feeling too strange. We picked her up at around 7pm from her guesthouse - where she was left alone as all the others had gone for their Christmas holidays - and we went home for Dinner. Javed’s mom had prepared my most favourite dish and everyone was eager to celebrate this day with us. We read the Christmas story and had our own special Christmas Eve, with “Stollen” and “Lebkuchen” send by my mom:). A great surprise actually came up in the evening just before I left the office. Khalil had come back from Germany with presents from my parents (with all this goodies) and the team in Frankfurt. Thank you so much guys!!! The “Weihnachtspyramide” actually made my Christmas perfect:



But the most touching thing was again the hospitality in Afghanistan. I guess none of my friends in Afghanistan had forgotten me; everyone called me, “congratulated” for Christmas or even come up with a present, the guards, and the stuff in the office, everyone had some warm words to say. All this culturally very sensible people around the world, I am asking you, have u ever gone to your Turkish or Pakistani neighbour wishing him “Id mubarak”, do you actually know when they celebrate those festivals? Speaking about Integration is quiet up to date right now in Germany; there each and everyone could actually take a leaf out of the Afghans book.