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Emran Feroz is an Afghan-Austrian journalist currently based in Stuttgart, Germany. He is regularly writing from Afghanistan, often focusing on the Middle East, Central Asia, drone warfare, refugee policies and human rights. Emran is writing in both German and English. His work has already appeared in international media outlets such as Al Jazeera, The Intercept, Alternet, The Atlantic or the New York Times and in various German and Austrian news papers and magazines.
Among Headless Buddhas
Exceptionally, I'm sharing a piece of myself here today. The reason for that is simple: Mostly, I'm reporting about war and conflict. But during my last stay in Kabul, I thought to visit the National Museum of Afghanistan and to write at least one feature about my country's culture and history.
And here it is.
The National Museum in Kabul has been built by Afghan King Amanullah Khan, nearly one century ago. It's full with treasures, especially from Afghanistan's pre-Islamic era.
Many parts of Afghanistan once has been Buddhist. For that reason, the museum is full with Buddhas.
But unfortunately, many of them are headless.
They, too, have become victims of the country's civil war in the 1990s. Like their big brothers, the famous Buddhas of Bamiyan, they have been targeted and destroyed by violent extremists.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere inside the museum made me happy. Many young Afghans are interested in their country's history and are willing to protect its treasures in future.
