The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Afghanistan

The current Afghani flag was adopted in 2004, after modifying the flag that replaced the flag that was adopted after the Taliban was toppled. In 2001, the pre-Taliban flag was reintroduced. This consisted of 3 horizontal stripes of green, white and black. In the centre is the logo of Afghanistan. In its heart is a mosque with its mihrab facing Mecca.

The current flag features 3 vertical stripes of black, red, and green. 3 colours used on Afghani flags since 1928. The black represents past flags (usually black), the red is blood, and green is hope for the future.

The national symbol of Afghanistan is placed in the centre of the flag in white. At its heart is a mosque, with the mihrab facing Mecca. Over the top of the mosque is the Shahadah. This means “to witness” or the declaration of belief in Islam that there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet. The symbol also features the date, 1298, which on the Islamic solar calendar corresponds to 1919 on the Gregorian calendar. This is the age when Afghanistan won its independence from Britain.

The pre-2004 flag also featured the phrase “Islamic State of Afghanistan” which has been modified to simply “Afghanistan” on the current flag.