Afghanistan: Modernization or Westernization?

The failure of West in "modernizing" Afghanistan

One of the great misunderstandings among many misunderstandings of the West about Afghanistan is the attempt at westernizing Afghanistan. The term “westernization,” according to Thong Tezenlo in the book “To Raise the Savage to a Higher Level: The Westernization of Nagas and their Culture” refers to an attempt and a process in which societies are changed and nations adopt Western culture in different ways such as by following politics, religious belief, philosophy, law, language and the adoption of western lifestyle.

A model walks in a fashion show sponsored by US embassy in Kabul and organised by Women rights organisation "Young Women for Change" 

With the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 many journalists, analysts and politicians tried to make people believe there was a need to liberate Afghan women from the oppression they were facing and a need to change the society for the good of the people. But the history of Afghanistan makes it clear that the struggle of people to preserve their identity and conservative Afghan society against any kind of westernization does not preclude support for the modernization of Afghan society that includes progress in the educational and health sectors of the society. People of Afghanistan value their culture, traditions and religious beliefs more than anything else and thus that is the reason that today Afghans are very well known for their hospitality across the Asian continent.

In the past, when King Amanullah Khan made a drastic move to modernize Afghanistan with the help of his father-in-law and foreign affairs minister Mahmud Tarzi, who was inspired by the work of Ata Turk of Turkey, the religious hardliners and tribal leaders toppled his Kingship in a heartbeat forcing him to flee the country in 1929. Later a slow reform was introduced by both King Zahir Shah and President Sardar Mohammad Dawud but they too failed miserably.

Afghan women in 1962 wearing both burqa and westernized clothes introduced by the King at the time, an attempt to "westernize" Afghan society.

Many activists groups and non governmental organisations have been receiving aid from the American embassy to create such an unfavorable environment in Afghanistan. In February this year the American Embassy financed a fashion show with the help of a women’s rights activist group called “Young Women for Change,” described as a “female empowerment project” even though the audience was largely foreigners including journalists, but many Afghans criticized the action by naming it the “westernization” of Kabul. In July 2013 a religious parliamentarian declared “Jihad” against a talent show because of the way girls dressed and danced on the floor. “I have already made it clear in the lower house that I am going to start a jihad against these kind of shows and programmes on our television channels,” said Abdul Sattar Khawasi, quoted by the Telegraph. Mr Khawasi was furthermore quoted about a pop idol singing contest called “The Voice of Afghanistan” which is storming the country with its popularity. “Look at its name, The Voice of Afghanistan, how sweet the name is and how great it looks, but unfortunately look at the contents of the show – it does not represent the culture and customs of our country.”

Such views are shared by common people across Afghanistan; that’s why we see members of Parliament trying to stop such shows that promote westernization. The Telegraph quoted an Afghan student who clearly mentioned that such shows in fact promote westernization and have nothing to do with women’s rights or their empowerment: “I have watched “The Voice of Afghanistan” a little bit, but I did not like it because of the way the judges are dressed and especially that female one. It is totally a Western thing,” he said. Now, however, the West has dropped the ball in anticipation that Afghans will embrace a Western culture specifically applied to the entertainment business–with the hope that Afghanistan could be turned into Las Vegas or New York, where one singular sensational broadway dance is performed openly and people will accept this change in the society. But the fact is that over 97% of Afghanistan is made of strict conservative individuals who follow Islam and in their majority are demanding Islamic Shariah law in the country. Rest assured, it will not only fail catastrophically, but it will fail with bloody consequence.

The influence of westernizing the non-western countries across the world made people believe that westernizing society is a form of modernization but one can argue that nations can follow their traditions, culture, language and be proud of their history while at the same time be modern. This is the case with people in Afghanistan and they have the right to follow their religion, culture and traditions without anyone meddling in their affairs.