The Great Afghan Store
The Great Afghan Store was established during the late years of King Mohammad Zahir Shah’s reign and quickly became one of Kabul’s most iconic commercial and cultural landmarks. The store’s owner, Qari Mohammad Aman Nawai, was a well-known figure with a beautiful and captivating voice. Before founding the store, he had a small shop on Nader Pashtun Street. Alongside his business, he became famous for his beautiful recitation of the Qur’an, and some of the radio programs on Radio Afghanistan used to begin with his voice.
At that time, the Great Afghan Store was one of the first places in Kabul to offer modern and diverse goods. It was not just a typical market; it was a space where a variety of new, trendy products were introduced to the public. The store’s business model was innovative and unlike anything seen before in Kabul. This blend of commerce and modernity became a symbol of social and cultural change in the city.
One of the unique features of the Great Afghan Store was the restaurant located on the upper floor, which became a popular social hub. The atmosphere there was calm and welcoming, a place where not only families but also friends, lovers, and young couples came to spend time together. On weekends, the restaurant would be full of life, laughter, and quiet conversations. Young couples would steal glances, and the air was thick with the unspoken language of romance. The space felt as if it were an oasis, with love stories unfolding in every corner.
In those days, the young men of Kabul were very fashion-conscious. They followed global trends and dressed in the latest styles, with wide-legged trousers, oversized collars, and tailored jackets. Their hair, styled like the famous Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna, was carefully groomed. These young men, like “Beatles imitators” or “gigolos,” would often engage in flirtatious conversations, spinning tales of romantic fantasies. Meanwhile, the young girls of Kabul, often schoolgirls walking the streets or riding in public transport, would steal fleeting glances at these boys, and those moments, however brief, would later become the subject of love stories and fantasies. The city’s love stories were born in these fleeting exchanges, written in the hearts of the young and full of the spirit of possibility.
Every day, stories, tales, and romantic legends of Kabul were whispered from the rooftops of the Great Afghan Store into the vast sky above. The atmosphere was filled with charm, subtle flirtations, and the beauty of unspoken connections.
At that time, love was pure, sacred, and full of grace. It was a gift, a blessing. The search for love was a sweet intoxication, and the harshness of the world had no place in this delicate reality. The idea of condemnation or punishment had no role in the love stories of those days.
The memories of that time, which still live on in the hearts of many Kabulis, capture the essence of a special era in the life of the city. The Great Afghan Store was more than just a retail space; it was a cultural center where life, love, and stories intertwined in a vibrant, youthful tapestry.
Write your memories, so we may remain alive!