Thesis Book - Seeds of Hope

ABSTRACT
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on 15th August 2021 has
had some serious repercussions for Afghan citizens. The constant wars and
the Taliban rule are negatively affecting the Afghan culture and identity
while also depriving citizens of their fundamental human rights to freedom.
These issues make the world wonder about the possible ways the Afghan
community outside the country can help Afghans residing under Taliban rule
to overcome the adversities and culturally connect outside the country.
Research has shown that one of the largest and wealthiest Afghan communities
resides in the UAE with a population of 300,000 people. UAE has always
maintained a positive relationship with Afghanistan and the Afghan people within
the country during difficult times for over 20 years. The Afghan community, in
the present day, has bilaterally contributed to the economy of the UAE while
also controlling a high percentage of the total Afghan trade compared to other
Afghan communities. This makes the Afghan community in the UAE a major link between
Afghanistan and the rest of the world. Can it be possible for the community
residing in the UAE to overcome their country’s challenges through this link?
The rise of the Afghan community in the UAE can not only help
overcome the loss of Afghan culture, identity, and heritage of Afghanistan
but also connect people of different nationalities through its intertwined
culture. Over many centuries, the culture of Afghanistan had been influenced
by its neighboring countries and the Middle East region. This influence of
other cultures can be seen in the Afghan language, music, architecture, and
hospitality which will help people from different countries to explore Afghan
culture and discover similarities between their own culture and experience.
Through this, the community residing in the UAE can culturally connect and
create a stronger bond amongst each other for having a common goal and interest.
Keywords: Culture Preservation, Learning Spaces, Afghan Community,
Diversity, Intertwined Culture