Secularism in Afghanistan
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Shah Amanullah (1892-1960) compiled the first constitution of our country. His work was branded as communist propaganda by a person called Mullah-e-Shur Bazar. Mullah-e-Shur Bazar, an Arab immigrant who was also a British agent, threw the first Afghan National constitution against the ground.
Shah Amanullah liberated Afghanistan from the tyranny of the British. He gave freedom to women for the first time and provided them with the opportunity to work in different fields. Shah Amanullah converted the Hijri (Islamic) calendar to the Gregorian (Christian) calendar and the Sabbath from Friday to Sunday.
He opened the doors of schools to women and sent them abroad for complimentary studies. He outlawed polygamy, prohibited slavery and introduced a secular society. This brave man banned the wearing of the Borqa and eliminated tribal privileges. He changed the greeting Salam-Alaikum to raising hats and asked the people to adopt European style clothes, behavior etc. If they did not do so, they would be fined. Peter the Great (1672-1725) enacted a similar law when he demanded that men shave their beards.
In appreciation of such a brave compatriot and for his outstanding services, I would like to dedicate a token of my thought "Secularism in Afghanistan" to him.
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About the Book
For years, many have debated the relationship between religion and politics. In Secularism in Afghanistan, author Shukoor Zardushtian directs the discussion to Afghanistan, examining the role of religion in society in general and in Afghanistan in particular and analyzing the conflicts that arise from the mix of government and religion.
Gleaned from research and his personal experiences of living in Afghanistan, Secularism in Afghanistan studies the characteristics of Islam and Islamic ideology. Zardushtian presents a strong case for implementing secularism—religion separate from politics—in Afghanistan in order for its citizens to embrace freedom and social awareness. He presents evidence of how the Islamic religion destroyed the country’s cohesiveness and is responsible for the problems that exist today.
Zardushtian understands that changing society is not easy, but he offers Secularism in Afghanistan as a guidebook for the younger generation of the country to aid them in improving the economic and social climate.
About the Author
Shukoor Zardushtian was born near Kabul, Afghanistan. He earned a master’s degree in agriculture in the Ukraine and an English degree from SUNY. Zardushtian is the author of three previous books written in Farsi. He has seven children and ten grandchildren, and he and his wife live in Maryland.