URDU-6 A Stereoscopic Analysis of Afghanistan in Religious, Political and Historical Context: A Research Study

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the Cultural Sufism of Khorasan. The overall culture of Afghanistan is very ancient almost two millennia old. It traces it's records to times of Achaemenid Empire of 500BC. The word Afghanistan is translated as "Land of the Afghans" or "Place of Afghans". The official languages of Afghan nation are Pashto and Dari. It is a tribal and rural society with many different regions in the country and each region having distinctive indigenous language. In spite of having some differences almost all Afghans follow a same Islamic tradition and behave accordingly. By following a similar Islamic tradition, they celebrate similar holidays, wear almost same dresses, enjoy same taste of food and music. Sufism has shaped Afghan society and politics for much of the country's history. Today, very few are aware of this legacy. The Sufis are now providing an important contribution to the stability of the state. Some of the greatest Sufi sages of the Muslim world originated from Afghanistan. They refined their insights in the country's lush plains and hidden valleys - and spread their message of peace and love to other parts of the world. The intensely personal poetry of Sufis has been expressed in Dari, Persian and Pashto, the main languages spoken in Afghanistan.