I decided to do a religion story about the rapprochement between the Shi'a and Sunni in Afghanistan. Historically the Shi'a minority was oppressed... or there was absolutely no problem and they worshipped together in peace, depending on whom you talk to. There's no disagreement however that during the Taliban times the Shi'a were persecuted by the Sunni Taliban. Now it seems as though they are playing nice again, though it's still very hard to find a Sunni who will marry a Shi'a and vice versa.
Later I went to visit a Shi'a shrine which had to be closed down during the Taliban invasion. Now Shi'a and Sunni visit together. The shrine's caretaker was a little suspicious and cold at first, but once I asked him about the symbolism of the shrine and how it was bringing both sects together, he warmed to the subject and to me. He invited us to sit and take peach drinks with him, which we did with somewhat absurd formality while the late afternoon Kabul winds whipped dust into our eyes and drinks.
It was refreshing to be as welcomed into the mosques as I was. In Canada you need to seek permission from the Imam, the mosque board, submitted a week in advance and signed in triplicate. Here, Sunni and Shi'a have invited me in during prayer time with no notice and allowed me to shoot from positions I'd never be allowed to do back home. I guess it's easier for those in an overwhelmingly Muslim country to feel secure. But I wish we could all be as welcoming to those of different faiths as the people were in the mosques I've visited. I think if everyone came just once to worship or at least observe the ceremony of another religion, sect or branch, the world would be a better place.
Etc.
Graveyard next to Shi'a shrine
