POL-E-ALAM CITY (SW) – Residents of Logar province, Afghanistan, have expressed concerns over the longstanding tradition of firing guns into the air during celebrations, urging that it should be prevented from continuing.
Bismillah, a resident of Logar, recalls an incident from last year when a 12-year-old child was injured in the leg by an airborne shot during a celebration. Despite receiving treatment, the injury continues to affect the child to this day.
He adds that this harmful tradition of firing in celebrations has persisted in the province for a long time, and in some cases, it turns happiness into sorrow.
Bismillah continues, “In our village, there was a wedding, and during the celebration, they fired into the air. As a result, one of the children was injured in the leg and became disabled. His treatment was not done properly, and he remains disabled until now.”
Mohammad Bilal, another resident of Logar, calls the practice of airgun firing during celebrations a misguided custom and urges the de-facto government to take action to eliminate this tradition across Afghanistan.
He says, “Firing during celebrations sends a negative message, causing many problems for people. It creates disorder in society and has a harmful impact on people’s mental well-being.”
On the other hand, medical professionals emphasize that airgun firing negatively impacts pregnant women and children, and they stress the need for celebrations to be held in a way that does not harm others.
Mozamel, a doctor in Logar, explains, “When they fire, family members, neighbors, and friends who hear the shots activate a system in their bodies called the sympathetic nervous system. This system causes an increase in heart rate, more stomach acid, irregular bowel movements, high blood pressure, a decrease in courage in children, and in pregnant women, it can lead to miscarriage. In elderly people, it can cause a heart attack.”
Officials at the Logar Directorate of Information and Culture also consider airgun firing at celebrations an undesirable tradition and state that steps have been taken to eradicate it.
Mohammad Gul Tasal, head of culture at the directorate, emphasizes that celebrations should be held based on social values.
“In my view and from an Afghan cultural perspective, this practice is not acceptable. Often, when people in villages fire shots, many in the village may not know whether it’s a wedding, a sweet celebration, or another event. This causes unnecessary concern,” he explains.
Security officials in Logar report that since last year, airgun firing at celebrations has been banned in the province, and no one is allowed to engage in such activities.
Ahmadullah Anas, spokesperson for the Logar Police Command, says, “In Logar province, airgun firing has been prohibited since last year. No one is allowed to fire crackers or guns during celebrations. If anyone violates this ban, they will be handed over to the law.”
Residents of Logar are not alone in this issue, as people in many provinces of Afghanistan engage in airgun firing at celebrations, which, in some cases, has even led to fatalities among guests.
