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Bowling for Kabul: Amid war, Afghan youth play music and sports, hunt for jobs and love Bowling for Kabul: Amid war, Afghan youth play music and sports, hunt for jobs and love
(about 3 hours later)
Up Close
This is one story in an occasional series offering a fresh perspective, in words and photographs, on the people and places shaping today’s world.
Afghan singer Matin speaks to his girlfriend in a cafe in Kabul in March. Afghan singer Matin speaks to his girlfriend in a cafe in Kabul in March.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)
Amid the news of bombings, political rivalries and Afghanistan’s uncertain future as U.S. troops depart, the daily life of the nation’s young people is hardly noticed by the outside world.Amid the news of bombings, political rivalries and Afghanistan’s uncertain future as U.S. troops depart, the daily life of the nation’s young people is hardly noticed by the outside world.
In rural areas, the rhythms of farming and family exist much as they have for generations. But the youth of the capital now enjoy an access to information and freedoms that were unthinkable in the dark days of civil war and Taliban oppression in the 1990s.In rural areas, the rhythms of farming and family exist much as they have for generations. But the youth of the capital now enjoy an access to information and freedoms that were unthinkable in the dark days of civil war and Taliban oppression in the 1990s.
Mahmoud Hejran, second from left, and Zabih Hosseini, center, members of the band Tanin, play the guitar and sing as they travel back to their music studio after performing on a live TV program in Kabul. Mahmoud Hejran, second from left, and Zabih Hosseini, center, members of the band Tanin, play the guitar and sing as they travel back to their music studio after performing on a live TV program in Kabul.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)
As these photographs illustrate, the lives of Kabul youth are not defined solely by war and violence, but by their striving to find work, relationships, even artistic expression. Kabul has popular rock bands, rappers, actors and fashion models. Kids hang out with their friends outside mosques and shrines, stroll in city parks under fir trees, and gather at bowling alleys, frozen-yogurt shops, cafes and pool halls.As these photographs illustrate, the lives of Kabul youth are not defined solely by war and violence, but by their striving to find work, relationships, even artistic expression. Kabul has popular rock bands, rappers, actors and fashion models. Kids hang out with their friends outside mosques and shrines, stroll in city parks under fir trees, and gather at bowling alleys, frozen-yogurt shops, cafes and pool halls.
A host of new television programs, , and the presence of numerous American soldiers and diplomats have challenged the social mores in one of the more conservative countries in the world.A host of new television programs, , and the presence of numerous American soldiers and diplomats have challenged the social mores in one of the more conservative countries in the world.
A mannequin in a shop window in Kabul. A mannequin in a shop window in Kabul.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)
Afghan women watch a local sports ceremony at a stadium in Kabul. Afghan women watch a local sports ceremony at a stadium in Kabul.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)
Afghanistan is young — nearly two-thirds of its people are younger than 25 — and the youth are becoming key players in the nation’s politics.Afghanistan is young — nearly two-thirds of its people are younger than 25 — and the youth are becoming key players in the nation’s politics.
During this month’s presidential elections, all the major candidates tried to woo the youth vote, posting campaign updates on Facebook and Twitter and sending text messages. And politicians and observers speculated that urban youth may be breaking out of the allegiance to ethnic blocs that has long defined friends and enemies here.During this month’s presidential elections, all the major candidates tried to woo the youth vote, posting campaign updates on Facebook and Twitter and sending text messages. And politicians and observers speculated that urban youth may be breaking out of the allegiance to ethnic blocs that has long defined friends and enemies here.
Young Afghans chat in an outdoor area of a cafe in Kabul. Young Afghans chat in an outdoor area of a cafe in Kabul.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)
Like voters elsewhere, young people said they wanted better security, a good education and — crucially — jobs. As U.S. soldiers withdraw, and the torrent of American aid slows down, the young people are worried about whether they will slide into harder times.Like voters elsewhere, young people said they wanted better security, a good education and — crucially — jobs. As U.S. soldiers withdraw, and the torrent of American aid slows down, the young people are worried about whether they will slide into harder times.
“The U.S. is not dumping any more money in here. No one’s spending like they were in 2010 or 2011,” said Khalid Safar, a 29-year-old taxi driver who was sitting cross-legged in the back of his station wagon outside a Shiite shrine the other day, waiting for customers. A couple of years ago, a good day for him meant earning $30; now it is $5. And this with a degree from Kabul University. “People are getting poorer, day by day.”“The U.S. is not dumping any more money in here. No one’s spending like they were in 2010 or 2011,” said Khalid Safar, a 29-year-old taxi driver who was sitting cross-legged in the back of his station wagon outside a Shiite shrine the other day, waiting for customers. A couple of years ago, a good day for him meant earning $30; now it is $5. And this with a degree from Kabul University. “People are getting poorer, day by day.”
An art student uses his cellphone as he stands next to graffiti at a cultural and educational center in Kabul. An art student uses his cellphone as he stands next to graffiti at a cultural and educational center in Kabul.
(Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters) (Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters)