AFGHANISTAN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

2011

Mon 15 Feb - Liberation Day.
Tue 16 Feb - Mawleed al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
Mon 21 Mar - Nauruz (Afghan New Year).
Thu 28 Apr - Victory Day
Mon 1 Aug - Start of Ramadan
Fri 19 Aug - Independence Day.
Tue 30 Aug - 1 Sep - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Sat 5 - 8 Nov - Eid-al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Notes

The government of Afghanistan has moved the upcoming Prophet's birthday public holiday to Wednesday February 16, 2011. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and some of the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns are often disrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.

Above are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2011 period.

Victory Day Date: April 28, 2011

The Marxist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) came into power after the Saur revolution which put an end to monarchy in Afghanistan only to create a new problem. The reforms that this government bought on were on lines of communism which was not well received by the people. Since cancellation of farmer debts and abolition of land usury would have helped the farmers but the more powerful landlords and tribe leaders resented them. Also these changes affected the traditions of Islam. This caused dissent among the people and a resistance was formed against the government known as the Mujahedeen resistance.

The Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union was also in full swing at that time. Since the policies of the Afghanistan government was in tune with communism the Soviet Union supported them. The United States and various other countries supported the Mujahedeen resistance causing a raging civil war inside the country. This was a serious blow to the government and they requested military help from the Soviet Union which responded in favor and on December 7, 1979 it invaded Afghanistan. The invasion was complete on December 28, 1979 with the assassination of President Hafizullah Amin. The resistance grew both in support and in strength with heavy inflow from foreign aids.

Finally the Soviets were driven out with heavy causalities on their side due to the guerrilla warfare the Mujahedeen followed. The troops withdrew from the afghan territory in phases and left the country in 1989. Even then the civil war remained in a stalemate. The puppet regime that the Russians had set up was largely ineffective and weakened the PDPA’s divisions. But the party maintained its hold on power until April, 1992 when the Mujahedeen were able to depose it and set up a new governing body.

The results of the civil war affected the citizens the most. It was this war that resulted in the formation of groups like Al-Qaeda which have become terrorist groups. The Afghan casualties of this war exceed a million and it left the country in ruins. The people were very relieved as and when the war had come to an end. This war had resulted in the liberation from a communist government only to leave the country in ruins. Hence April 28 marks the culmination of numerous sacrifices and a period of history that saw the violent victimization of millions of Afghans, the destruction of the country’s economic foundation and the displacement of more than a third of the country’s population, the Afghanistan Victory day.

May Day Date: May 1, 2011

May 1 is celebrated as the Labour Day by almost all the nations of the world. The workers celebrate this as an annual holiday as the day is the result of a massive labor union movement and celebrates the social and economic achievements. This day is also known as May Day and many other names like Worker’s day, National Unification Day, Day of Kazak people’s Unity, Eid el-Ommal, etc.

Afghanistan Independence Day Date: August 19, 2011

Afghanistan’s Independence Day was declared on August 19, 1919. Afghanistan is a country surrounded by land on all sides and no sea shores. Geographically, it is located in Central Asia or Middle East. Iran borders in the south and west and Pakistan is located to the south and east. Afghanistan was considered to be an independent country on August 19, 1919. Since then, the citizens of the nation celebrate it as Independence Day. It should be remembered that inspite of the invasions of the English colonials in this region, they never got control over the administration.

The country holds this day in great prestige, as it was not only the day they got independence, but they were also able to keep away the English army from making further invasions. May be Afghanistan did not develop so much as a modern advanced country because of some political and religious problems, but still they have been always united to keep foreign invaders away. The main economy of the country is controlled by the production of dry fruits, which are exported throughout the world. August 19 is a national holiday for the country.

On this day, every citizen recalls the memory of the terrific struggle of their ancestors to fight back the intruders. Different types of cultural events are organized on this day. As the country is dominated by the Muslim religion, the local residents assemble in different mosques in large mass to recall their past days and pray for their future well being. Small carnivals and get together are arranged where every citizen enjoys the mood the day. Sports events and other local events are organized to spread a feeling of cheer and grace among the people of the nations.

This day is specially remembered for the real fighters, who marked an end to their lives to save the nation from the foreign incursions. The country pays tribute to them devoting this day in their memory.
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