On the eve of Eid al-Adha, the business of tailors and fabric sellers in Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, is less vibrant and thriving compared to last year due to rising unemployment and poverty.
Some tailors and fabric sellers in Badakhshan state that, according to the common customs and traditions of the people in this province, Eid was celebrated with grandeur, but now, due to the extensive restrictions imposed by the Taliban, increasing unemployment, and rising poverty, people’s interest in buying clothes and celebrating Eid has decreased compared to previous years, and their sewing machines are running slower.
These tailors say that with each passing day, people’s poverty and unemployment have increased, negatively affecting their business in the market.
Haroon, a tailor in the old city of Fayzabad, owns a tailoring shop. In an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, he said that this year’s work is half of what it was in previous years. He added, “Due to lack of work and income, I have dismissed all my apprentices. This Eid, I have only received 50 sets of new clothes from people for sewing.”
Shariatullah, another tailor in the new city of Fayzabad, who works with his son, says that with each passing day, the business of tailors in the city faces stagnation. He added, “This Eid, most people did not buy new clothes, and now with just one day left, we are idle in the shop with no customers.” This tailor said that even though the Taliban set the cost of sewing clothes at 150 to 200 Afghanis, people cannot afford to buy new clothes.
Meanwhile, some residents of Badakhshan province say that in addition to poverty, the high cost of fabric and sewing has led to decreased interest in celebrating Eid.
Zahir, a resident of Fayzabad, said that in the past, he used to buy two sets of clothes for each Eid, but this year he only bought one set. He added, “Since the Taliban came, we do not celebrate Eid; rather, we spend it at home. We only visit relatives for prayers and customs, but otherwise, we stay home.”
In another part of Fayzabad, some fabric sellers also criticize the lack of market activity. Qudratullah, a shopkeeper in Fayzabad, expressed concern over reduced sales, saying that people cannot afford to buy, and sales are not like previous years. He stated, “Before the Taliban’s takeover, we made sales of 60,000 to 100,000 Afghanis daily near Eid, but now it doesn’t exceed 10,000. I run the shop out of necessity to provide for my family.”
Hafiz, a women’s clothing seller in Badakhshan province, also said that due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women, he has lost his customers and cannot increase sales. He added, “Every year, we sold 40,000 to 50,000 Afghanis worth of women’s clothes daily, but recently, in the past two days, we only made 15,000 Afghanis, which doesn’t even cover the shop’s rent.”
This comes at a time when, every year on the eve of Eid, the residents of Badakhshan enthusiastically prepared for the holiday, and the city and streets of Fayzabad witnessed the hustle and bustle of people. However, this year, there is no sign of such excitement.
With the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the crisis of unemployment, poverty, hunger, and economic problems is increasing daily. Badakhshan residents claim that the Taliban have been unable to provide even the most basic government services to the people during this time, and despite numerous claims in nearly three years, the group has failed to create economic opportunities and employment for the people.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
عید قربان در سایه فقر و بیکاری؛ خیاطان در بدخشان: کار ما با رکود مواجه شده است | روزنامه ۸صبح
