Warden Announcement
September 17, 2009
Eid ul-Fitr Closure
This notice is to advise our Afghan clients for visa services and 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 for the Eid ul-Fitr holiday. We take this opportunity to wish our Afghan clients, as well as visiting and resident American Muslims a blessed and peaceful holiday.
The holiday typically runs three days. The Embassy’s 2009 Holiday Schedule indicated the Eid ul-Fitr holidays might occur Sunday through Tuesday (September 20-22), however an adjustment to the dates can occur, based on Afghan government announcements. These announcements of the beginning of Eid ul-Fitr likely will not occur until late in the evening on Friday, September 18 or Saturday, September 19. If Eid ul-Fitr begins on Saturday or Sunday, the Consular Section will be closed for all routine services Sunday-Tuesday.
The Embassy recommends that Americans monitor local news for the announcement of the beginning of the holiday. Upon re-opening, the Consulate will return to its normal hours of operation, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and again from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Please note that anyone needing passport or notarial services for which a fee is charged should come before 4:00p.m.
The Embassy will continue to handle emergencies during the holiday period. Americans who find themselves in cases of extreme emergency in Afghanistan may contact the Embassy operator via 0700-10-8000 or the Consular Section via mobile at 0700-20-1908.
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.
Sincerely,
Consular Section
United States Embassy
Kabul, Afghanistan