Afghanistan's rich new elite goes for broke at wedding ceremonies

Hired dancers perform at one of five parties. Photo: The Washington Post

Whether you have enough money to pay - or even if you haven't - the pressure is on to flaunt it for all you are worth.
THERE was still confetti on his tuxedo when Ahmed Rashed Azimi settled into his purple throne at the centre of an expansive wedding hall and surveyed the crowd: 1200 friends and family members, a band, costumed dancers and a crew of greeters dressed in the colours of the telecom company that made him rich.
''This is the biggest wedding in Kabul,'' Mr Azimi said. He wasn't smiling. ''It cost so much money.''
The glitzy wedding halls that have sprouted near the centre of Kabul are testament to a new elite eager to flaunt its wealth, even as the vast majority of Afghans live in poverty.

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Ahmed Rashed Azimi sits on a throne next to his father at a male-only party. Women celebrated at a separate event. Photo: Andrea Bruce

But the government sees such celebrations as a different kind of emblem - of waste and anti-Islamic values. Legislation proposed this year by the Ministry of Justice would curb celebrations like Mr Azimi's, placing a limit on guests and costs. Similar legislation has been tried in India and Pakistan.
''The parties have got out of control,'' said Deputy Justice Minister Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai. ''People spend money they don't have and go into debt for many years. It's not good for the society.''
The legislation, which would also prevent women from wearing dresses ''contrary to Islamic sharia'', reminds some here of Taliban-era paternalism.
Mr Azimi, 26, makes a substantial salary in the booming telecom industry. He drives a new car and owns a closet full of shiny Western suits. But even he finds the cost of such a wedding difficult to shoulder. The string of parties during the week of his wedding will cost him about $US80,000 ($A75,400).
That is part of the reason he sits on the throne with his lips pursed, looking thoroughly unhappy. Every guest in the hall costs him $US15. ''I can't refuse these people,'' he said. ''They invited me to their weddings. How can I not invite them to mine?''
Mr Azimi borrowed from family members to foot the bill, but he'd much prefer an excuse to thin the guest list. The proposed law would be useful, he said: ''Then I could just tell them, 'Sorry, the government has placed a restriction. There's nothing I can do'.''
The law would limit wedding guests to 300 and the amount spent to about $US7 a guest. It also aims to prevent grooms' families from spending too much on gifts for brides and their relatives. Couples and wedding hall owners who exceeded the legal limits would face fines or prison.
But Mr Azimi still felt pressure to show off his new wealth at the Uranus Wedding Hall, which was blanketed with lace, flowers and fake snow during last week's celebration. As is customary, only men attended; a party for women would be held the next day.
''Why should the government tell people how to spend their money?'' said Uranus owner Mohammed Salam Baraki. ''If they pass this law … I'll have to pay off the inspector to allow more guests in.''
Kabul's population has more than doubled in 10 years to 5 million, as Afghans have sought relative safety in the capital. Some have prospered, but most remain poor, sometimes living in tent cities just outside the wedding halls.
Enamullah Arman, 22, a sales co-ordinator for a telecom company, spent much of the party filming dancers and musicians on his mobile phone.
''This is exactly what I want,'' he said. ''I've already saved $800.''
WASHINGTON POST


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