The Resilience of Kabul's Wedding Halls Amidst Taliban Rule
As Afghanistan grapples with political and social upheaval, Kabul's wedding venues shine as rare symbols of celebration in a darkened city.
Kabul, Afghanistan - On a typical evening in the Afghan capital, the streets turn dim as power outages plague the city of over six million residents.
However, amidst the pervasive darkness, some areas are illuminated by large wedding halls, serving as a rare beacon of opulence in a city grappling with the consequences of Taliban governance since their return to power in August 2021.
The Afghan musician Hashmat Omid, aged 49, fled to Pakistan with his wife and three children, leaving behind a married daughter in Kabul after the Taliban's resurgence.
Afghan musicians have faced significant challenges in recent years, with the return of strict Islamic law that prohibits public music performance.
The atmosphere is notably somber in Kabul; public entertainment is largely absent, and women are restricted from entering parks and public spaces.
Many vibrant murals supporting peace have been replaced by Islamic slogans, reflecting the cultural shift under the Taliban's regime.
The wedding halls, with their dazzling lights and ornate decorations, stand out as one of the few venues where celebration remains possible, as tradition dictates weddings are essential in Afghan culture.
According to Mohammad Wais Qoomi, manager of the Imperial Continental Hotel, wedding ceremonies hold significant importance, marking a pivotal moment in the lives of young couples.
Inside venues that can host up to 7,000 guests, lavish decor featuring plastic flowers, gilded furnishings, and neon lights contributes to an atmosphere of festivity.
The cost of hosting a wedding can reach up to $20,000, with many Afghan families foregoing lavish celebrations, as approximately 85 percent of the population lives on less than $1 per day, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For venue operators like Qoomi, the expenses of maintaining these halls can be considerable, with electricity costs ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 monthly and an additional $14,000 for generators, reflecting the significant reliance on costly energy sources.
Other venues, such as the City Star, highlight similar challenges, with managing electricity supply proving to be an intricate task.
The venue's manager, Siyar Payman, reports expenditures of $12,000 to $20,000 on energy solutions that only provide power for about 6 to 7 hours each day.
Afghanistan imports much of its electricity from neighboring Central Asian countries and pursues regional projects to fortify its energy supplies.
Despite a local demand of 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts, the nation produces only about 1,000 megawatts domestically, resulting in acute energy shortages that extend to heating during harsh winters.
In response to increasing energy costs and scarce supply, residents resort to burning coal, wood, plastic, and household waste for heating, contributing to severe air pollution in the high-altitude city.
Through these difficult circumstances, the wedding halls represent a venue of light where the Afghan people can come together, socialize, and celebrate amidst the ongoing challenges of life under Taliban rule.
As Qoomi aptly puts it, the wedding halls serve as 'the lights of the city,' providing a space where joy can still emerge in the shadows of adversity.
However, amidst the pervasive darkness, some areas are illuminated by large wedding halls, serving as a rare beacon of opulence in a city grappling with the consequences of Taliban governance since their return to power in August 2021.
The Afghan musician Hashmat Omid, aged 49, fled to Pakistan with his wife and three children, leaving behind a married daughter in Kabul after the Taliban's resurgence.
Afghan musicians have faced significant challenges in recent years, with the return of strict Islamic law that prohibits public music performance.
The atmosphere is notably somber in Kabul; public entertainment is largely absent, and women are restricted from entering parks and public spaces.
Many vibrant murals supporting peace have been replaced by Islamic slogans, reflecting the cultural shift under the Taliban's regime.
The wedding halls, with their dazzling lights and ornate decorations, stand out as one of the few venues where celebration remains possible, as tradition dictates weddings are essential in Afghan culture.
According to Mohammad Wais Qoomi, manager of the Imperial Continental Hotel, wedding ceremonies hold significant importance, marking a pivotal moment in the lives of young couples.
Inside venues that can host up to 7,000 guests, lavish decor featuring plastic flowers, gilded furnishings, and neon lights contributes to an atmosphere of festivity.
The cost of hosting a wedding can reach up to $20,000, with many Afghan families foregoing lavish celebrations, as approximately 85 percent of the population lives on less than $1 per day, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For venue operators like Qoomi, the expenses of maintaining these halls can be considerable, with electricity costs ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 monthly and an additional $14,000 for generators, reflecting the significant reliance on costly energy sources.
Other venues, such as the City Star, highlight similar challenges, with managing electricity supply proving to be an intricate task.
The venue's manager, Siyar Payman, reports expenditures of $12,000 to $20,000 on energy solutions that only provide power for about 6 to 7 hours each day.
Afghanistan imports much of its electricity from neighboring Central Asian countries and pursues regional projects to fortify its energy supplies.
Despite a local demand of 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts, the nation produces only about 1,000 megawatts domestically, resulting in acute energy shortages that extend to heating during harsh winters.
In response to increasing energy costs and scarce supply, residents resort to burning coal, wood, plastic, and household waste for heating, contributing to severe air pollution in the high-altitude city.
Through these difficult circumstances, the wedding halls represent a venue of light where the Afghan people can come together, socialize, and celebrate amidst the ongoing challenges of life under Taliban rule.
As Qoomi aptly puts it, the wedding halls serve as 'the lights of the city,' providing a space where joy can still emerge in the shadows of adversity.
