Source Indo-Asian News Service Kabul, October 5, 2005 With the onset of the nine-day Hindu festival period of Navratra, Kabul’s ancient Hindu temples, steeped in fascinating folklore, are buzzing with a record number of devotees of all faiths. The focal attraction is Asamai temple at the foothills of Koh-i-Asamai, the central hill feature around which… Continue reading Festival fever grips Afghanistan’s historic temples

Source By GRAEME SMITH Thursday, September 22, 2005 Page A21 KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN — It’s been four decades since Noorolhaq Olomi was a young Afghan army officer, secretly giving Communist books to his troops. In the years since, Mr. Olomi has played several roles in Afghanistan’s turbulent history: political prisoner, asylum seeker, and highest-ranking official in… Continue reading Afghans may vote in Communists they drove out

Source S. Mudassir Ali Shah KABUL, September 17 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Around 12.5 million registered Afghan voters are poised go to parliamentary polls tomorrow (Sunday) to elect a 249-member Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) and 34 provincial councils – a significant event marking the culmination of the Bonn Agreement. The first post-Taliban elections –… Continue reading Hopes and fears as Afghans go to the polls tomorrow

Source Jalalabad (Afghanistan) | September 16, 2005 8:25:05 AM IST From celebrations of Sikh festivals to plying of India-made trucks, the streets of this city founded by Mughal emperor Akbar are witness to historical connections with India. “During the Baisakhi festival, planes used to shower flowers on the procession,” said Rawel Singh, president of the… Continue reading From Akbar to Tata, India resounds in Afghan city

Source Afghan Hindus & Sikhs disillusioned with electoral process KABUL, September 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): For Hindus and Sikhs minorities together, a solitary Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) seat has been reserved in Sunday’s elections, for which an active woman is in the run. Dwelling in this capital city, a number of Hindus and… Continue reading Afghan Hindus & Sikhs disillusioned with electoral process

Source Rati Ramadas – Tuesday, August 30, 2005 (Kabul): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned to Delhi last evening after a two-day historic visit to Afghanistan. The highlight of his visit was laying the foundation stone of Afghanistan’s new Parliament, a symbolic gesture to cement India’s partnership with the world’s youngest democracy. But democracy means different… Continue reading Sikhs in Kabul feel let down by PM

Posted on 24 Aug 2005 # IANS Source By Gurinder Randhawa, Kabul: When Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives here Sunday, he is likely to see a lot of smiles on the faces of local Hindus and Sikhs who are excited at the rebuilding of seven gurdwaras destroyed in Afghanistan’s civil war. After considerable delay,… Continue reading Rebuilding of gurdwaras recharges Kabul’s Indians