Taliban’s Hidden War Against the Restaurant Industry

For the past two decades, Kabul has been a city of memories, friendship, and friendly gatherings more than anywhere else in Afghanistan. People could forgo the agony of living in a war-zone situation while coming together to celebrate their friendship, memories, and momentary happiness. The coffee shops around the city were the main hub for these events and gatherings. Every evening and especially during the weekend, coffee shops in Pol-e-Sorkh, in the mid-western part of Kabul, hosted people from every corner of Kabul, mostly the young and educated generation of Afghanistan. 

But, on August 15th, 2021, suddenly, everything changed, at least for the ordinary Afghans living in Kabul. Kabul’s colorful atmosphere turned gloomy, silent, and depressing. The coffee shops around the city became empty, dark, and haunted. No more poetry nights, Chelleh Night events, live music, gatherings, literary nights, or other cultural programs. The coffee shops gradually lost customers, and empty spaces turned into ghost houses. The Taliban banned women from going outside to restaurants and coffee shops – soon after, refraining the coffee shops from hosting any events. A situation that demonstrates the cause of suffering in Rashid’s (pseudonym) life.