A number of residents of District 10 of Kabul city have expressed concern over the excessive use and explosion of firecrackers, particularly in the late hours of the night. They say the deafening sound of exploding firecrackers has disturbed the peace of families and created a sense of fear and insecurity among family members, especially children. According to these residents, at a time when people are struggling with various hardships and pressures of life, the sound of successive firecracker explosions has become a new source of worry and has robbed them of comfort and peace.
Abdullah, a resident of District 10 of Kabul city, complains about the use of firecrackers and the noise they cause. According to him, the loud sound of firecrackers has disturbed his family’s daily peace and nightly sleep and has caused fear and worry among his family members.
The Kabul resident says: “I had just come to Afghanistan from the war in Iran. One night we were asleep when suddenly a very loud firecracker was heard. I hurriedly woke my children, thinking a war had begun. I told my family that we had fled the war in Iran, but now war had started here too. A few minutes later, I realized the sound had come from a firecracker.”
Abdullah adds: “In some families there are patients and elderly people, and the loud sound of firecrackers also hurts the morale of children. In the current circumstances, no one is free from the problems and worries of life, and the use of firecrackers has become another problem for people and has disturbed the peace of families.”
Maryam Ahmadi, a resident of District 10 of Kabul city, says that although the use of firecrackers in the early evening, at midnight and during gatherings is a source of entertainment and a way of expressing joy for some, its harmful consequences should not be ignored.
The Kabul resident says: “The loud and sudden sound of firecrackers can cause fear and anxiety in children, the elderly, patients, and people who need quiet. In addition, the use of firecrackers carries the risk of burns, injuries to the eyes and hands, and even fires. Particularly in a society like Afghanistan, where many families are struggling with problems and difficult living conditions, disturbing people’s peace with intense noise during the night is a disregard for the rights and comfort of others.”
Nemat (pseudonym), another resident of District 10 of Kabul city, says that although the noise of vehicles during the day is also bothersome for citizens, the main problem at night is the use of firecrackers and the disruption of families’ peace.
The Kabul resident says: “Firecrackers are set off from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. This situation has caused fear and worry among children. In my view, it stems from the negligence and inaction of the Taliban. Although the sound of gunfire is not heard, the sound of firecrackers has increased lately, and in some cases it is heard even louder than gunfire.”
Nemat adds: “Neighborhood representatives discussed this issue after Friday prayers at the mosque and demanded that the use of firecrackers be stopped. Despite this, people do not have much trust in the Taliban addressing this problem, and no effective action has been taken so far.”
Kausar (pseudonym), a resident of District 10 of Kabul city, says that in recent months, the increased use of firecrackers at celebrations has disturbed the peace of mind of citizens and caused dissatisfaction among families.
The Kabul resident adds: “Failure to observe proper principles when celebrating at joyous gatherings, and the use of firecrackers, especially at late hours of the night, harass citizens, particularly the elderly and patients. Although the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV) has declared the import and use of firecrackers banned, serious monitoring and sustained, practical measures are necessary to prevent this phenomenon.”
This comes as the Taliban’s MPVPV has banned the use of firecrackers and similar materials at wedding ceremonies, celebrations and other festive gatherings.
Some time ago, a number of Kabul residents told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that they have no peace because of noise pollution, especially the sound of firecrackers at night. They stressed that the widespread and excessive use of firecrackers has made life difficult for them, and that there is no authority to follow up on people’s voices and prevent this situation.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
