On Eid al-Adha morning, a wave of economic desperation swept through Herat’s streets as families spent the holiday scouring roadsides in search of day labor. Poverty, many residents said, leaves no room for celebration — not even on one of the most important holidays of the year.
Shortly after dawn, dozens of men and women gathered along major routes, waiting for passing vehicles to stop and offer work for a few hours. Among them was Abdul Manan, a 29-year-old father of 11 who arrived early in hopes of earning enough to support his family.
