Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. The country is bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the far northeast. Afghanistan has a population of about 32 million people, making it the 42nd most populous country in the world. The capital and largest city is Kabul. Afghanistan is a unitary presidential Islamic republic with a population of 32 million. Islam is the official religion of Afghanistan, and 98% of Afghans are Muslims. The novel "The Kite Runner" by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini is set in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation and civil war of the 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, Afghanistan has been involved in a number of wars, most notably the War in Afghanistan (2001-present). In October 2001, U.S. forces began bombing Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom after the September 11th attacks. In December 2001, a multinational force led by the United States overthrew the Taliban government. Despite significant international assistance and progress toward rebuilding Afghanistan's infrastructure and economy, insecurity remains widespread throughout much of the country.

A mosque is a Muslim place of worship. The word "mosque" in Arabic means "place of prostration." Mosques are usually distinguished by their minarets, which are tall towers with a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer. Mosque architecture varies greatly across the Islamic world, but all mosques contain a Prayer Hall and a place for washing before prayer. Mosque is an important Islamic institution, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a center for religious instruction, social welfare, and political activity. In many countries, the Mosque is also the site of Friday prayers, which are attended by both men and women. The Mosque is a symbol of Islamic identity and pride, and its architecture reflects the rich history and culture of the Muslim world.