Staring into the Abyss
by Hashem Shakeri
“If you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss stares back at you.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Since the Taliban’s return to power on August 15, 2021, Afghanistan has plunged into a dark age, where women, minorities, and the LGBTQIA community face extreme oppression. This long-term project, focusing on women and minorities, captures the transformation of lives under a reactionary regime.
Through a poetic and metaphorical lens, it explores the harsh realities of eroded civil rights, including the banning of education, work, and mobility for women, and the violent persecution of minorities. Despite global condemnation, the Taliban’s control expands while resistance is brutally suppressed.
As an independent photographer, I have traveled across Afghanistan, documenting this tragic moment and connecting with people to amplify their voices. The photographs reflect their resilience, fear, hope, and the uncertainty that defines their future. This visual story serves as a historical witness to the profound suffering and the determination to rebuild amidst the darkness.
