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Jewish Cemetery 1, Kabul, Afghanistan

Description

Summary 

This cemetery was previously considered “lost” in Kabul, Afghanistan, due to its location. It is on a hill off of a highway. The cemetery contains multiple Jewish gravestones. 

Background 

Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, had one of the largest Jewish populations in the country. As in other high-concentration areas, the Jews of Kabul were primarily merchants and traders. Until the mid-20th century, the country was relatively safe for the community, although members were still expected to engage in their traditions with relative secrecy due to increased Islamic nationalism. Following Mohammad Nadir Shah’s (r. 1929-1933) assassination and the rise of pan-Islamic nationalism, new forms of prejudice against the Afghani Jewish population were implemented. In large cities like Kabul, local Jews were ghettoized, and the businesses were vandalized, among other things. Much of the Jewish population in  Kabul fled in the 1970s. However, to this day, Afghanistani Jews remain proud of their rich cultural heritage. 

Description 

This site is a  "lost" Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. It was rediscovered recently in a project to restore and protect Jewish cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan. The cemetery is on a small hill off the highway. The cemetery is in ruins, and only possible to find it with coordinates. Seven gravesites are marked with names. There are other graves, but they are unmarked. 

Kabul, Afghanistan

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