00:00 The podcast episode "Afghanistan: The Center of the World" explores the history and significance of Afghanistan as a central hub for civilizations, empires, trade routes, and religions throughout history.

05:38 Afghanistan's history as a central hub for trade routes and cultural mixing has been overshadowed by the chaos and conflict of the last 40 years, leading to its reputation as the "Graveyard of Empires," but the true story lies in the histories, stories, and triumphs of the Afghan people.

11:18 Rumi, the famous 13th century poet, began his life in northern Afghanistan and his history is tied to the Mongol rule and the spread of Islam and Sufism in the region.

17:17 Rumi's devotion and passion for Islam didn't translate into a rejection of all other thought, and his interpretation of Islam was widely practiced and embraced, with dance, music, and poetry all considered forms of worship.

23:05 In the 1800s, Afghanistan faced the challenges of the Great Game, an imperial competition between the expanding Russian and British Empires, and Mahmood Tarzi, a poet and writer, observed the clash between Western colonialism and traditional Afghan culture as he returned to his homeland after years of exile.

28:39 Mahmood Tarzi and the young Afghans seized the opportunity for independence in 1919 after the assassination of the king, and with the support of the new king Aman al-Ahan, they declared jihad on the British and ultimately gained full independence for Afghanistan, leading to an experiment in Muslim modernism that aimed to engage with the challenges of modernity while maintaining Islamic traditions and promoting women's rights.

33:50 Queen Soraya of Afghanistan advocated for women's rights, including their participation in Islamic courts and the interpretation of Islamic sources, and she and her husband Aminah Lakhan challenged social norms by publicly stating that Islam did not require women to cover their bodies or wear veils, while also promoting education for girls across the country.

38:13 The modernizing experiment in Afghanistan led by Amman al-Ahman, Queen Saraya, and Mahmood Tarzi was derailed in 1928, but the radio, a groundbreaking technology, helped tip the scales in favor of modernity and brought old ideas back into Afghan life.

44:04 In the 1950s and 60s, new ideas from outside Afghanistan, including influences from artists like Elvis and the Beatles, were seeping into the country, leading to a time of political and cultural experimentation and a return to the spirit of the 1920s, but this period of modernization and finding its voice was interrupted by a coup in 1973 and the rise of an autocratic government, followed by a communist regime that sparked tensions and armed resistance from tribal leaders.

51:19 In 1979, the Soviet Union intervened in Afghanistan, prompting Mejgan Masoumi's family to flee the country, eventually settling in the US, just in time before the situation in Afghanistan deteriorated further.