PHILADELPHIA — Afghan cultural and social activists living in the United States marked National Uzbek Language Day on October 21 with a gathering in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event, commemorating the Uzbek language’s significance, brought together members of the Afghan diaspora from various states.
However, many Afghan Uzbeks have expressed concern over their diminishing role in Afghanistan’s current political structure. They say they feel marginalized under Taliban rule, fearing that their political influence has significantly waned, and worry about the future of Uzbek, the country’s third official language.
Since the Taliban regained power, several media outlets that once broadcast in Uzbek have been shuttered, and Uzbek language departments at universities across Afghanistan have reportedly been phased out.
Afghan Uzbeks at the gathering in Pennsylvania voiced apprehension about the erosion of their linguistic and cultural presence in Afghanistan.
The celebration in Philadelphia featured cultural figures, social activists, and women from different U.S. states, underscoring the community’s continued commitment to preserving their heritage despite the challenges back home.
