Afghanistan: The Center of the World

Sep 9, 2021

Afghanistan has long stood at the crossroads of civilizations, rich with history and culture. The narrative shifts from outsider perspectives to the voices of mystics and poets, revealing a land of love, liberation, and resilience. Discover the impact of key figures like Rumi and Mahmoud Tarzi, who shaped a nation's identity amidst struggle. Explore the profound role of radio in expressing cultural shifts and hear personal stories of survival and hope, all while examining a complex landscape of modernization and tradition.

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ANECDOTE

Rustam and Suhrab

Rustam and Suhrab's tale from the Shahnameh illustrates tragic irony and contradictions.
A father unknowingly kills his son in battle, highlighting the blurred lines between hero and villain.

INSIGHT

Afghanistan's Centrality

The Shahnameh, an epic poem, reveals Afghanistan's central role in history.
Afghanistan has been a crossroads of civilizations, not merely a peripheral land.

INSIGHT

Rumi's Mysticism

Rumi's poetry transcends religious and cultural boundaries, emphasizing universal love and connection.
He embraced Islamic mysticism but remained open to diverse spiritual paths.

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Masnavi

Masnavi-ye-Ma'navi (The Spiritual Couplets)

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi

The Masnavi, or Masnavi-ye-Ma'navi, is a comprehensive poem by Rumi, consisting of six books and approximately 25,000 verses. It is considered one of the most influential works of Sufism, offering insights into spiritual life and personal growth through stories and moral reflections. The text is often regarded as a 'Quran in Persian' due to its profound spiritual teachings.

Afghanistan Rising

Faiz Ahmed

In 'Afghanistan Rising', Faiz Ahmed presents a detailed narrative of Afghanistan's journey to independence and its establishment as a modern Islamic state. The book highlights the country's historical ties with the Ottoman and British empires, and how these interactions influenced the development of its legal and constitutional framework. Ahmed's work challenges conventional narratives by showcasing Kabul as a hub for intellectual and political exchange in the early 20th century.

Modern Persian Literature in Afghanistan

Anomalous Visions of History and Form

Wali Ahmadi

This book offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of modern Persian literature in Afghanistan, focusing on how contemporary poets and writers navigate the complexities of politics and modernity. It highlights the ways in which literary modernism has allowed Afghan writers to resist overt politicization while still engaging with political themes.

Connecting Histories in Afghanistan

Market Relations and State Formation on a Colonial Frontier

Shah Mahmoud Hanifi

This book challenges the conventional view of Afghanistan as a model of resistance to colonial power by examining the economic and commercial interactions between Kabul, Peshawar, and Qandahar. It reveals how local nomads and Indian bankers responded to state trade policies, highlighting Afghanistan's role as a 'colonial construct' with economic institutions shaped by external policies.

The Essential Rumi

Translations by Coleman Barks

Coleman Barks

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi

This collection of Rumi's poems, translated by Coleman Barks, delves into the spiritual and mystical aspects of Rumi's work. It includes poems that reflect Rumi's experiences with love, loss, and spiritual growth, particularly his relationship with Shams-e Tabrizi. The poems are known for their lyrical and accessible language, making Rumi's profound spiritual insights available to a wide audience. The book highlights Rumi's teachings on the oneness of God, the importance of love, and the transcendence of dualistic thinking.