VOICED : El 1 de enero cumpleanos por doquier en Afganistan

In Afghanistan, many people celebrate their birthdays on January 1 due to the lack of official birth records and the use of the Ijri calendar. The Afghan civil registry is flawed, leading many to use historical events or seasons to estimate their age. The taskira, a paper-based ID, is commonly used for identity verification. Recently, hospitals have started issuing birth certificates for newborns, a practice not available to previous generations. The government has proposed electronic IDs, but political and technical issues have stalled progress.

Why do many Afghans choose January 1st as their birthday?

• It is a national holiday in Afghanistan.

• It is an easy date to remember in the Western calendar.

• It marks the beginning of the Afghan New Year.

• It is the date of a significant historical event.

What is the taskira in Afghanistan?

• A traditional Afghan festival.

• A type of Afghan currency.

• The Afghan identity card.

• A historical Afghan document.

How do some Afghans determine their age?

• By using the lunar calendar.

• By referring to historical events or seasons.

• By using modern technology.

• By consulting religious leaders.

What recent change has occurred in Afghan hospitals regarding newborns?

• They have started recording births in a digital database.

• They have begun offering free healthcare.

• They have introduced new vaccination programs.

• They have started issuing birth certificates.

What is hindering the issuance of electronic identity cards in Afghanistan?

• Political and technical issues.

• Insufficient funding.

• Opposition from religious groups.

• Lack of public interest.