Gunmen kill 3 Western tourists, translator in central Afghanistan
Gunmen kill 3 Western tourists, translator in central Afghanistan
Friday’s attack on foreigners is first since Taliban regained power in August 2021
Who would go on vacation in central Afghanistan knowing that the Taliban is in control?
It's a famous historical site:
Bamiyan, one of the poorest regions in impoverished Afghanistan, is a popular destination for foreign tourists because it contains Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, according to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The scenic city was also the spot where the Taliban destroyed two large Buddha statues in March 2001 during their previous rule in Afghanistan. The group said the statues were blasphemous under Islam.
I get that, but if even the most interesting historical landmark in the world were being operated by a terrorist group, that alone is reason enough to pick another travel destination, in my opinion. Human rights aside, situations such as this demonstrate the safety risks that come with visiting such destinations.
It's a shame that there hasn't been extensive political support within Afghanistan itself to oust the Taliban, as I'm sure it would have tremendous tourism potential, given its historical landmarks and central location in Eurasia, if only it were safe to visit.
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