Mobile library in Herat aims to counter extremism through reading

A young Afghan man has created a mobile library in Herat province to counter extremism and raise awareness among young people through accessible reading opportunities.

Farooq Mahmoudi, 34, launched the initiative one month ago to promote reading culture and encourage youth engagement with education and ideas.

The mobile library, carrying nearly 1,000 books, stops daily at locations across the city, encouraging young people to build reading habits.

Mahmoudi plans to expand the project beyond Herat city, reaching rural districts and eventually other western provinces.

"Books mean awareness and a better understanding of life. There is a big difference between literate and illiterate people. For more than six decades, war has plagued our country, which has led to a very high level of illiteracy in Afghanistan," he told Salaam Times.

He said he also has religious books, such as the life of the Prophet, which encourage Muslims toward peace, tolerance, and avoiding extremism.

Eradicating extremism

Groups such as al-Qaeda attempt to restrict access to knowledge, recognizing education as a major obstacle to spreading violent extremist narratives.

Educated and well-informed youth are less likely to accept distorted messaging, making literacy and critical thinking vital tools against radicalization efforts.

Recruitment strategies frequently focus on marginalized youth lacking education, employment opportunities, and clear prospects for a stable and secure future.

Expanding libraries, supporting education, and promoting reading programs can strengthen communities and protect young people from extremist influence and manipulation.

Juma Gul Sediqi, 24, a journalism student at Herat University, is among those benefiting from the mobile library initiative.

"Terrorist groups work to destroy and undermine our country. I urge young people to stay away from extremism and violence and instead read books and contribute to rebuilding our country so that we can have a prosperous and free Afghanistan," he said.

We are tired of terrorist activities and long wars in our country, and no young person here wants to follow the path of terrorist groups, Sediqi said.

Conflict with Afghan social values

Extremist beliefs contradict Afghanistan’s core social values, which emphasize coexistence, mutual respect, hospitality, moderation, and strong community relationships across diverse populations.

Extremism promotes exclusion, violence, and rigid ideologies, conflicting sharply with Afghanistan’s social fabric and long-standing cultural practices.

Decades of conflict linked to extremism have resulted in insecurity, displacement, poverty, and the breakdown of families across many communities.

Afghans generally view religion as a source of peace, justice, and unity rather than a justification for violence or hostility toward others.

However, extremist groups present distorted interpretations of religion, diverging significantly from widely held beliefs within Afghan society and religious traditions.