Sharifullah* on creating art in Afghanistan
‘Everything beautiful is considered infidel; Signs of hope are removed’
Sharifullah* is a traditional craftsman in Afghanistan. He is also a secret believer, devoting his life to shepherding the people God has entrusted into his care. He and the small group of people he has mentored have spent many years turning sketches and ancient designs into colourful masterpieces, reaching out to their community with the Gospel and their craft intertwined.
Living out their faith behind a veil of secrecy, Sharifullah and his fellow believers knew that though 20 years had passed since the Taliban reign, it could very well return. Despite the dangers, they have continued their ministry: a necessarily secret ministry, training women and men how to make beautiful and colorful crafts in a bid to share the gospel.
Any expression of Christianity is illegal in Afghanistan, but Sharifullah’s art is more subtle. It doesn’t portray Jesus, but uses symbols that may mean one thing for the world and have a spiritual meaning for the believers. “Often we would find birds to represent the Holy Spirit and freedom, sheep to represent us, and roses to represent Jesus. Sometimes, there are even crosses hidden and woven into our designs.”
When the Taliban took back the reins in his country, his life came to a standstill. He says, “Three weeks ago, the Taliban marched in. Within weeks of taking over the country, many artisan shops in the capital were warned about the designs being used in the crafts on display. You see, the Taliban want their ideology reflected everywhere, and so all signs of color, life and hope have been removed. Signs of joy have been painted over and replaced with Taliban slogans, which are a far cry from hope.
“Memories of the past came rushing back as we saw men climb ladders and paint anything that was beautiful and hopeful,” he continues. “Everything beautiful is considered ‘sick’, ‘infidel’, ‘murtid’ and filthy – a ‘friend of the West’ and therefore a friend of the ‘Kafir.’
“The Taliban are killing our souls and spirits. They don’t have to shoot us for this to be painful and hard, but they will shoot us. They are killing the souls of our children by taking all that is beautiful away from them.”
Sharifullah’s business is temporarily closed for now, and they are unsure of how women working will be received in the new regime. But even as the Taliban wipe out memories of beauty, Sharifullah and other secret believers are committed not to give up.
“They may try to stop us, but I have this hope, since we have given so many…vulnerable people access to skills and allowing them to use those skills along with their imagination.
Today, Sharifullah seeks prayer. His biggest concern is his brother-in-law, whom he says could be a Taliban sympathizer. He says: “My wife is a very good artist, and her brother used to come and destroy all her paintings to hurt her. He used to tell us, ‘You are too free with your lives. One day the Taliban will come back and it will be better for you that you destroy all this’. Now, that day has come.
He shares his brother-in-law would point at his art, and suspiciously and threateningly ask about the symbols. “He will come and trouble us. Pray for us that he will not be tempted to set our work on fire and God will keep him away from us and our work.”
“We will never let that hope be silenced. We will make sure the world hears the Gospel through every breath we take. And we know you will help us by living the Gospel, using your freedom and sharing Jesus with those who have come to your neighborhoods. Please continue to stand with us.”
