Afghanistan Flag

Flag Date of Adoption

5 Feburary 2002

Flag Symbolism

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other 2 bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are Eastern Arabic numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan; black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam

note 1: the United States has not recognized the Taliban or any other entity as the government of Afghanistan and, accordingly, continues to display the flag of Afghanistan as set forth in the country's constitution of 2004

note 2: Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century - 19 by one count - than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them

Afghanistan National Anthem

Listen to National Anthem
Anthem History Adopted in 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups
Anthem Lyrics "Milli Surood" (National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA

Daa watan afghanistan do daa ezzat de har afghan di

Kor de soli kor de tori har bachi ye qahraman di

Daa watan di tolo kor di de balocho, de uzbako

De pashtoon aw hazarwoo de turkmano de tajeko

Worsara arab, gojar di pamirian, noristanian

Barahawi di, qizilbash di ham aimaq, ham pashaiyean

Daa hiwad ba til zaligi laka limar pa eshna aasman

Pa sina ki de asia laka zera wi jawidan

Noom de haq mo di rahbar

Wayoo Allah o Akbar, Wayoo Allah o Akbar, Wayoo Allah o Akbar
Anthem Lyrics English "Milli Surood" (National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA

This land is Afghanistan – It is the pride of every Afghan

The land of peace, the land of the sword – Its sons are all brave

This is the country of every tribe – Land of Baluch, and Uzbeks

Pashtoons, and Hazaras – Turkman and Tajiks with them,

Arabs and Gojars, Pamirian, Nooristanis

Barahawi, and Qizilbash – Also Aimaq, and Pashaye

This Land will shine for ever – Like the sun in the blue sky

In the chest of Asia – It will remain as the heart for ever

We will follow the one God

We all say, Allah is great, we all say, Allah is great, we all say, Allah is great
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