NEWS & BLOG

When people hear “Afghanistan,” they might think of war, the Taliban, or of humanitarian crisis. But Afghanistan’s story is much bigger and older than that. With a history stretching back thousands of years, Afghanistan has long been a meeting point of cultures, ideas, religions, and trade connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. 

Ancient Afghanistan played a central role in Silk Road trade, linking East and West through commerce, religion, and knowledge. Regions such as Bactria and Gandhara were major centres of Buddhist learning, art, and philosophy. 

Today, it has a population of 41 million people and remains home to diverse cultures, languages, ethnic groups, and traditions. 

Colonisation and the “Great Game”

During the 19th century, Afghanistan became central to the rivalry between the British and Russian Empires, known as the “Great Game”. Britain launched multiple invasions (the Anglo-Afghan Wars) in an attempt to secure influence over Afghanistan as a buffer protecting British-occupied India. Despite repeated interventions, Afghanistan remained formally independent, although its politics were heavily shaped by external pressure and imperial competition. 

20th century Afghanistan and the Cold War 

In the 20th century, Afghanistan underwent monarchy, reform attempts, and political instability. By the 1960s and 1970s, urban centres such as Kabul experienced modernisation, including expanded education and increased opportunities for women in public life.

However, in 1978 a communist coup led to major political upheaval, followed by the Soviet invasion in 1979. The Soviet-Afghan War became one of the defining conflicts of the Cold War era. It caused mass displacement, widespread destruction, and long-term militarisation of Afghan society. External powers, including the United States and regional actors, supported different armed groups, intensifying the conflict.

Civil war and the rise of the Taliban 

After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan collapsed into civil war in the 1990s as armed factions fought for control, especially in Kabul. From this instability, the Taliban emerged and by 1996 controlled most of the country. They imposed strict rules on society, especially restricting women’s education, movement, and political participation.

“I grew up in Afghanistan during a very difficult time, during the first Taliban regime, when education and many basic rights were restricted. Despite this, I still have both good and bad memories. Life was not easy, and we grew up surrounded by conflict, but I was happy because I was with my family. We stayed together, and that gave me strength.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome

US invasion and international intervention 

Following the attacks of 11 September 2001, the United States and allied forces invaded Afghanistan and removed the Taliban from power. Over the next two decades, international intervention continued, but the country continued to experience war, corruption, poverty, and displacement. 

The return of the Taliban and gender-based violence

Women in Afghanistan have historically played diverse roles in society, including as students, professionals, activists, politicians, and educators, many of these opportunities have been severely restricted in recent years. But in 2021, after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban returned to power.

“When the Taliban returned for the second time, everything changed again. It was a very painful moment for me and for many others. Like many people, I had to leave my country.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome 

The Taliban have imposed a wide range of measures limiting women’s participation in public life. Human rights organisations have reported gender-based violence, forced marriage, and the repression of women’s activism. Girls are barred from secondary school and university education. Women face significant restrictions on employment, and many are prevented from travelling without a male guardian. Authorities have introduced regulations that prevent women from speaking, singing, or reading aloud in public where they may be heard by unrelated men. These policies amount to a systematic exclusion of women and girls from social, political, and economic life. 

Despite this, Afghan women continue to resist and organise, including through movements such as RAWA, which has advocated for women’s rights since the late 1970s.

Displacement 

Millions of Afghans have been displaced due to decades of conflict, insecurity, and economic collapse. Large sections of the population face extreme poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

I first went to Pakistan, where I stayed for around one and a half years while waiting for my UK visa. The journey was not easy—it was full of challenges, uncertainty, and waiting.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome

Why Afghans leave 

Afghans seek asylum in the UK due to conflict, persecution, insecurity, and humanitarian collapse. Many are at risk because of their previous roles in government, education, journalism, or cooperation with international forces. Others flee general instability and economic hardship. The UK is also a destination due to established diaspora communities and international protection frameworks. 

“Before leaving Afghanistan, I had my own business and was working with the government. I was busy and building my future, but now everything has changed. Many opportunities are no longer available, especially for women and girls. This is something that affects me deeply because my family, including my sister, cousins, and friends, are still there. They are facing very difficult conditions, especially with restrictions on education and daily life. My heart is always with them. Even though I am now safe in the UK and able to work and study, my mind is often not at peace because I am always thinking about them.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome 

Afghan communities in the UK and at West London Welcome 

Afghan nationals form one of the largest groups seeking asylum in the UK. In 2024, around 8,500 Afghans applied for asylum, representing roughly 8% of all UK asylum applicants. Grant rates for Afghan asylum claims were very high following the Taliban takeover in 2021, but have fallen in recent years after changes to Home Office policy and guidance. It’s important to remember that the number of people seeking asylum in the UK remains relatively small in comparison to many other European countries, and the majority of the world’s refugees continue to be hosted by neighbouring countries in the Global South.

“Life in the UK has also been challenging in different ways. When I first arrived, I was not allowed to work for one year and two months while my documents were being processed. It was a very difficult time, especially being alone in a new country. I also had to restart my education because my previous qualifications were not fully recognised. However, I am now studying again and trying to build a better future for myself.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome

In recent years, some Afghans have been formally resettled in the UK through government schemes introduced after the 2021 evacuation from Kabul. These programmes enabled thousands of Afghans considered at risk to travel safely to fly to the UK. However, all three resettlement schemes were closed to new referrals or applications by 2025, limiting future safe routes for many Afghans seeking protection.

Afghan British communities in the UK have grown over decades of migration, particularly after the Soviet invasion, civil war, and recent displacement. Their communities are established in cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester, where families have built strong social, economic and cultural networks. Alongside building new lives, many Afghan community organisations and refugee groups have supported newly arrived families through the asylum process, housing difficulties, language barriers, and integration into British society. Afghan communities have also played a significant role in preserving and sharing languages, food, music, cultural traditions, and collective histories across generations, while continuing to advocate for refugee rights, humanitarian support, and greater awareness of the situation in Afghanistan. 

“I miss Afghanistan—the people, the culture, and the feeling of home. I hope that one day the situation will improve, and I will be able to go back and visit my family. I also hope for a better future for Afghan girls, including my sister, who has been at home for several years without access to proper education.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome

Our Afghan community members make up one of the five largest national groups at our centre and play an essential role for shaping our work at West London Welcome. From our Advisory Board members and volunteers to our chef Najeem who cooks for everybody lunch each week, our Afghan members contribute enormously to the life of the centre.

“Despite everything, I remain hopeful for the future—for myself, for my family, and for Afghanistan.”

– An Afghan community member at West London Welcome

Nita Gula is Communications and Administrative Officer at West London Welcome.