AFGHANISTAN

 

A. THE COUNTRY

 

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country in

South-Central Asia.  Shattered by decades of war, the countryside was

bombed and still contains over one million landmines and other

undetonated artillery.  The ongoing conflict destroyed much of the

infrastructure, and rebuilding of public buildings is a focus.

Extensive gas and mineral deposits offer potential lucrative exports.

One-third of the nation’s GDP has come from production of opium.

Investment of extensive foreign aid and millions of former refugees

returning have generated an influx of funds.  The conflict with armed

opposition groups including Taliban, continues to stunt recovery and

growth.

 

B. THE PEOPLE

 

The population is over 29 million and official languages are Pashtu

(used by 50%) and Dari (Afghan Persian, used by 70%).

No comprehensive census or careful ethnic survey has been made for

decades.  Afghan refugees are ~2 million in Iran, ~2 million in Pakistan

and smaller numbers around the world.  As many as 4.5 million have

returned to Afghanistan since 2001 when an International Security

Assistance Force was created to assist the Karzai administration.

Afghans perceive poverty and lack of security to be their greatest

problems.

 

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY

 

The Taliban’s takeover of the country imposed a deviant expression of

strict Wahhabist Islam.  While there is limited freedom to practice

their religions (such as Shi’a Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism), there

appears to be no freedom to propagate another faith or to convert from

Islam.  Shi’a Muslims are 20% of the population. Under 15000 claim to be

Christian, and these are mainly resident foreigners (foreign military

not included).  There are no church buildings, where there are 48000

mosques.  Afghanistan is one of the least reached countries in the world

and the Church remains almost entirely underground.

 

Donna Siemens

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.