Information for Travelers

Warden Message

January 27, 2007

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 Monday, January 29th, 2007 in honor of the Afghan 10th of Maharam holiday.

The Embassy will re-open for all normal business on Tuesday, January 30th.

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 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.  Last year, some of those demonstrations turned violent resulting in injuries and death.  Given the unpredictable nature of these events, American citizens are urged to 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.

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