Islam in Afghanistan facts for kids

Islam is the state religion of the Afghanistan. About 99.7% of the Afghan population is Muslim. About 80-89% practice Sunni Islam and belong to the Hanafi Islamic law school. 10-19% are Shi'a, most of whom follow the Twelver branch with smaller numbers of Ismailis.

Images for kids

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  Built during the Ghurids in the 12th century, the Friday Mosque of Herat is one of the oldest mosques in Afghanistan.

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  A miniature from Padshahnama depicting the surrender of the Shia Safavid at Kandahar in 1638 to the Sunni Mughal army commanded by Kilij Khan

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  The Friday Mosque in Kandahar. Adjacent to it is the Shrine of the Cloak and the tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani.

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  Men praying at the Hazrat Ali Mazar in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif

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  A mosque in Lashkar Gah, in the south of the country

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  Mujahideen praying in Kunar Province during the 1980s Soviet–Afghan War

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  Muslims praying together during an Eid al-Adha worship service at Kandahar Air Base in southern Afghanistan

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  Afghans conducting their afternoon prayer in Kunar Province (December 2009)

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  Men praying inside the Gardens of Babur in Kabul

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  Afghan politicians and foreign diplomats praying at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul

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  Abu Fazl Mosque in Kabul during construction in 2008, the largest Shia mosque in Afghanistan