What is the #AfghanCulture online campaign?
Afghan women across the globe have come out in support of an online campaign called #AfghanCulture, fearing that they could lose the beauty of the nation’s traditional attire.
CAPE TOWN, September 14 (ANA) – Afghan women across the globe have come out in support of an online campaign called #AfghanCulture amid fears that they could lose the beauty of the nation’s traditional attire after the Taliban took control of the country.
The social media campaign started with former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, Bahar Jalali, posting a tweet on Sunday which showcased a colourful, mainly green Afghan dress.
“This is Afghan culture… I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress,” Jalali said.
Her post came after a pro-Taliban rally where the women wore all black with full face veils and were covered head-to-toe.
Afghan officials had announced in a news conference on Sunday that women would be allowed to study at university but classrooms would be segregated by gender, with head covering compulsory.
“We will start building on what exists today … We have no problems in ending the mixed-education system,” Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani said.
Jalali’s tweet has gone viral, with many other women in turn posting images of themselves in colourful cultural dresses.
“This is what an Afghan woman looks like, this is our culture, this is our traditional dress,” said one Twitter user, while another added “my rich and ancient Afghan culture is that of colour and beauty.”
The BBC reported that while the various regions in Afghanistan had their own traditional clothes, they all shared the theme of exquisite embroidery, colours and mirrors.
“For centuries we have been an Islamic country and our grandmothers have been dressed modestly in their own traditional clothes,” said human rights activist Spozhmay Maseed.
“Our traditional clothes represent our rich culture and history of 5,000 years which makes every Afghan feel proud of who they are.”
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa