Information for Travelers
Warden Message
January 17, 2008
Martin Luther King’s Birthday Closure and Moharam day
This notice is to advise American Citizens residing or traveling in Afghanistan that the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will be closed for all routine services on Sunday, January 20, 2008, in observance of the Martin Luther King’s birth day.
The Embassy will re-open for all normal business on Monday, January 21, 2008.
The Embassy will continue to handle emergencies. Americans who find themselves in cases of extreme emergency in Afghanistan may contact the Embassy receptionist via 070-10-8001 or the Consular Section via mobile at 070-20-1908.
The Embassy would like to note that Moharam day will be celebrated on Saturday January 19, 2008. This holiday, also called “Ashura”, is the major holy day of mourning for Muslim Shi’ites and commemorates the deaths of the Prophet’s grandson and his family/followers at Karbala in present-day Iraq. It is also a day when processions and demonstrations are common place throughout Afghanistan. In past years, some of those demonstrations turned violent, resulting in injuries and death. Given the unpredictable nature of these events, American citizens are urged to avoid public gatherings and limit their movements this day to essential travel only.
We take this opportunity to remind American citizens of the continuing threats outlined in the current Travel Warning for Afghanistan and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement. The full text of each can be found at http://travel.state.gov. Updated information may also be obtained by visiting the American Embassy in Kabul’s website http://usembassy.state.gov/afghanistan/ or by contacting the American Embassy in Kabul at usconsulkabul@state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.