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I come
from Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan. It is a very nice town, not
too big, not too small. It is not too hot.
There
is a blue mosque in Mazar-e Sharif. Everyone goes to the mosque
for prayers. In May, people come from all over Afghanistan, from
Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad to pray in the mosque to celebrate our
New Year.
Afghan
living
Afghan
and English houses are different. English houses have a front. Afghan
houses usually have a wall around them, with a courtyard in the
centre. Houses look inwards, rather than outwards. My garden at
home has flowers, trees with red and yellow fruits and berries and
a fountains running through the garden.
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| An
Afghan breakfast feast |
If
I looked into the courtyard, I might see my mother tending the plants.
My brother is 17 years old. He's a tailor who works at home.
Celebrating
Eid
The
Feast of Eid comes twice a year, lasting three days. At New Year,
people have five days holiday. At this time we say, 'Sal Mubarak,'
and anybody who is older than me, I must kiss their hand to show
respect. This festival lasts 40 days, but most people celebrate
for five days.
Feasting
Lamb
is eaten on Eid Qurbam, which is the time when pilgrims go to Mecca.
All the family gathers. Life is difficult in Afghanistan, but Eid
Qurbam is very good and people enjoy themselves.
The
butcher comes to the house to slaughter a lamb. It is traditional
to keep one third of the meat for the family, one third is given
to friends and neighbours and one third is given to the poor.
Problems
There
have been many good times, but things are not always so good in
Afghanistan. Always the government is changing, different armies
are coming, the Taliban… I had my own welding business at home,
but there are just too many problems in Afghanistan to tell you
about.
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