Helmandi Black Turban

26 Nov 2009 | no comments » Helmand, people

In Afghanistan, people in black turban are distinguished as Sayyed.  Sayyids are Arabs, and Sayyids in Asia are of Arab origin. The Sayyids are a branch of the tribe of Banu Hashim, a clan from the tribe of Quraish, which traces its lineage to Adnan, whose lineage traces back to the Prophet Ismael the son of the Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham.  Anyhow, they are different. Among Afghan Sunni Muslim, especially in Helmand, you find them loyal to Mullah Omar and Taliban.

Afghan Beard

10 May 2009 | 1 comment » people

In the muslim world, men sometimes dye their hair, beards and moustaches with henna, a natural dyestuff, which needs to be applied periodically in order to maintain its lustrous colour. In Afghanistan dyeing is very popular especially among Pashtun in the south.

Muslim do so because they believe that the prophet Muhammad had done so and also because it was a remedy for headaches and dandruff.