Band-i-Zulfiqar, the main lake at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

One of the crater lakes at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

Band-i-Zulfiqar, the main lake at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

Band-i-Zulfiqar, the main lake at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

Band-i-Zulfiqar, the main lake at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

Band-i-Zulfiqar, the main lake at Band-E-Amir (Dam of the King), Afghanistan's first National Park set up in 1973 to protect the five lakes, believed by locals to have been created by the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, making them a place of pilgrimage, Afghanistan, Asia

Portrait of smiling couples in restaurant

Women in burqas flock like doves to the entrance of the main mosque at the Blue Mosque complex, Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province, September 23, 2002. Wednesday mornings are reserved for women to come and worship at the mosque.Elaborate tilework and decorated spires adorn the mosque, also known as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali (Hazrat Ali was the son-in-law of the prophet Mohammed), who is believed to be buried here. The shrine, of particular importance for Afghanistan's Shi'ite Muslims, was first built in the 12th century, destroyed by Genghis Khan, and rebuilt in 1481. The current mosque, considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in Central Asia, is a modern restoration.

A man feeds white doves at dawn in front of the Blue Mosque, Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province. Hundreds of doves, who are fed by worshippers and tended by special workers, live around the mosque, and it is thought that the place is so holy that a grey or brown dove will turn white if it lands on the Mosque. The mosque is also known as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali (Hazrat Ali was the son-in-law of the prophet Mohammed), who is believed to be buried here. The shrine, of particular importance for Afghanistan's Shi'ite Muslims, was first built in the 12th century, destroyed by Genghis Khan, and rebuilt in 1481. The current mosque, considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in Central Asia, is a modern restoration.

Tajik women proudly pose with their children, burqa's thrown back, in front of the main entrance to the Blue Mosque, Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province. Wednesday mornings are reserved for women to come and worship at the mosque. Elaborate tilework and decorated spires adorn the mosque, also known as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali (Hazrat Ali was the son-in-law of the prophet Mohammed), who is believed to be buried here. The shrine, of particular importance for Afghanistan's Shi'ite Muslims, was first built in the 12th century, destroyed by Genghis Khan, and rebuilt in 1481. The current mosque, considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in Central Asia, is a modern restoration.

Mother and adult daughter wrapping Christmas gifts

Portrait of multi-generational family on Christmas

Woman setting table at Christmas

Grandfather taking photograph of family on Christmas