The Heart of Asia Herald—Newsletter for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan The Heart of Asia Herald September—December 2017 Volume 1, Issue 4 The happenings & events pertaining to Afghan-Japan Re- lations. Monthly Greetings to you from the Embassy Message from “The Heart of Asia Herald” Editors: ____________ Greetings to you, dear friends. Inside this issue: Thank you for bringing your attention to the second edition of our new newsletter from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo. Our goal for this newsletter is to ____________ pique the interest of citizens from our local communities here in Japan. We genuinely hope that the interesting facts, histories, provinces, and cultures of Afghanistan catch your atten- Monthly greetings tion. We sincerely encourage you to explore the curiosities and wonders that this issue fea- tures. Please share your thoughts with us or any ideas on how to make the HAH more inter- 1 esting and enjoyable. Please enjoy reading this issue and we wish you pleasant days. Progress & Develop- ments in Afghanistan, and Current Afghan- Dr. Bashir Mohabbat’s Message for the Quarter Japan Relations 2 Greetings to you, esteemed readers of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo’s very own newsletter; “the Heart FEATURE STORY: “Afghan Cashmere” of Asia Herald.” It is a great honor to be able to address you this 3 quarter. We here at the Embassy are very grateful to be able to cap- ture your attention for the months of September, October, November, An Introduction to and December. We have had many events occur, such as our recep- Badghis Province tion for the 98th National Day of Afghanistan and our reception for 4 the International Conference on Bamiyan, to name a few. It goes Notable Afghans: without saying that your continued interest and support in our Em- Olympic Medalist Ro- bassy’s efforts, our Diplomat’s missions, and my own, is greatly ap- hullah Nikpai and preciated. I wish you continued prosperity in this quarter. PEACE scholar Mohammad Hamed Patmal 5 Cooking Qabili Palao and Upcoming Events 6 1 Afghan Progress: Security Health Sector Politics On November 20, 2017, NATO’s Recent months have seen much This November, Afghanistan, Secretary General, Jean Stolten- development in the health sector Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, berg and Canadian Defense throughout Afghanistan. As of No- Georgia, and Turkey agreed to Minister Harjit Singh Saijan vember 27, 2017, Japan has an- sign the Lapis Lazuli Corridor met with Chief Executive H.E. nounced their mission to assist agreement. The agreement sets up Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in Can- Afghanistan in the eradication of a railway based corridor in which ada. Mr. Stoltenberg praised the polio and their commitment in the Afghan goods will travel through Afghan National Security Forces prevention of the spread of other Turkmenistan, across the Caspian (ANSF) for their successful coun- diseases in partnership with Af- Sea to Azerbaijan, then Georgia, terterrorist methods and actions. ghanistan’s Ministry of Public across the Black Sea and through They have shown progress in the Health. They will focus on im- Turkey to the Mediterra-nean and fight against the Taliban in Af- proving the livelihood and health Europe. These goods will be tran- ghanistan. H.E. Dr. Abdullah then in the Tajik-Afghan border com- sited via railway and ships thanked the S.G. and the Canadian munities through two programs through the Caspian. The Lapis Defense Minister for their words created to procure routine vac- Lazuli Corridor is consid-ered to of encouragement and support in cines for around 1.37 million Af- be a new, innovative and efficient Afghanistan’s journey to peace. ghan children under the age of way that will directly connect Equally important to NATO’s rec- one. The new agreement was Afghanistan to Europe, proving ognition of Afghanistan’s anti- signed at the Embassy of Japan in extremely beneficial to Afghani- terrorist actions was H.E. Dr. Ab- Kabul by H.E. the Ambassador of stan’s trade expansion and re- dullah’s welcoming of the re- Japan, JICA Representatives, UNI- gional connectivity, boosting its newal of NATO’s commitments CEF Representatives, and the Af- economy. to ANSF during this meeting. ghan Minister of Public Health, and the Ambassador of Tajikistan, among others. Afghan-Japan Relations: On October 30, the Embassy of On November 29, H.E. Ambassa- On November 4, His Excellency the Islamic Republic of Afghani- dor Dr. Bashir Mohabbat attended Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat stan in Tokyo held a reception on and presented a speech to the Pub- had the honor of attending the occasion of Afghanistan’s lic symposium on the occasion of “Afghanistan Day” hosted by 98th National Day. Approxi- the 15th Anniversary of Support- Minato International Associa- mately 300 guests were received ing Education for Women and tion. Approximately 100 guests by the embassy to celebrate this Girls in Afghanistan held at attended the event, including other auspicious event. The reception Ochanomizu University. In atten- diplomats and staff at the Em- featured speeches from H.E. dance was the Women’s College bassy of Afghanistan. Guests en- Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohab- Consortium, Ochanomizu Uni- joyed traditional Afghan music bat, H.E. Mr. Natsuo Yamagu- versity faculty, and esteemed performed by Chalpasah as well chi, Chief Representative of the members of MEXT and JICA. Afghan goods. Cuisines and bev- Komei Party, and longtime friend The Women’s College Consortium erages and goods were provided of Afghanistan and the Embassy, was founded in 2002 and in these by Afghan Brothers, Afghan Ba- and His Excellency Ambassador past 15 years has devoted an in- zaar, and Afghan Saffron. Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Assistant Min- credible amount of time and effort ister & Director General of the towards the improvement of fe- Middle Eastern and African Af- male education in Afghanistan. fairs Bureau of MOFA Japan. All H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked those three speakers spoke highly of Af- in attendance for their efforts and ghanistan’s development and hon- commitment towards Afghani- oured this momentous day. stan’s development. 2 The Heart of Asia Herald—Newsletter for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan Afghan Cashmere Afghan’s Luxury Cashmere comes from cashmere goats. These goats are the only animals able to provide the luxurious, highly coveted fibers of cashmere. About 4 goats are needed for one sweater. Afghanistan is home to 7million goats and is the world’s biggest producer of cashmere behind Afghanistan is known China and Mongolia. as a country that is endowed with a very rich quality of cotton, silk, and cashmere. The Ministry of Commerce and Industries even has a “Cashmere Action Plan” to increase its production’s profits and efficiency. In fact, the cashmere industry today provides thousands of jobs for Afghan women, who hand wash and spin the cashmere into high quality products. 3 بادغیس -Badghis Province Focus: Badghis is one of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces and is located in the Northwest area, sharing a border with Turkmenistan. Its capital is Qala-e-New and has a total population of about 500,000 people. During the period of the Sasanian Empire, which reigned in the region from 224 to 651 AD, Badghis was a part of Sasanian terri- tory. Badghis was part of the Herat territory until 1962, when Afghan administration was put into place. Its landscape consists of 20,590.6 km2 of rich agricultural lands, making agriculture its main economic re- source. This area is known for its immensely beautiful, lush, and bright spring season that features rolling green valleys and colourful flowers. Inside the province lies the Murghab River in the North and the Hari-rud River in the Sounth. Badghis is famous for its production of pistachios, cashmere, and wool. The majority of its citizens raise sheep, cattle, and goats. Its industry features carpets, cashmere, Karakul, and wool. Badghis is especially known for its rug industry. Most notable is the master rug craftsman, Haji Mohammad Ewaz Badghisi. Ewaz Badghisi is a Badghis native, beginning his craft in the 1970s in the province before seeking refuge in Kabul during Soviet occupa- tion. He and his family returned to Badghis, and in 1992, he established the “Samarkand-Bukhara Silk Car- pet” workshop. It is a Joint Venture Workshop with the aim of reviving the lost tradition of carpet weaving in Central Asia. His company produces Kilim rugs, which take months to make from locally sourced silk and other materials from the prosperous Badghis province. FAMOUS LANDMARKS and PEOPLE of BADGHIS PROVINCE Kilim Rug designs are made by interweaving the variously colored “If leadership rest inside the lion’s jaw, There are still remains of the wefts and warps in bold designs. So be it. Go snatch it from jaws. ancient Qala-e-Nariman in Kilim rugs are of Turkish origin, Your lot shall be greatness, prestige, Badghis province. This was a being a style particular to Afghani- honor, and glory. famous fortress & castle used stan, especially in Badghis. The If all fails, face death like a man.” during many battles against utilize wool, cotton, and silk found -Hanzala Badghisi Genghis Khan. in the Badghis province. 4 The Heart of Asia Herald—Newsletter for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan ROHULLAH NIKPAI Afghans to Know Afghanistan’s Olympian Rohullah Nikpai is Afghanistan’s first Olympic medallist. He began training for the sport in Kabul at age 10, eventually having to flee with his family to Iran where he joined a refugee team. Returning in 2004, Nikpai began training again in Kabul. He continued to compete in various Asian taekwondo cham- pionships, earning him recognition.