Photographer Daniel Malikyar, the son of Afghan refugees, has published a new photo book offering an intimate, alternative view of Afghanistan, moving beyond the imagery of war and unrest that has dominated Western coverage of the country. Raised in the US, Malikyar drew on family stories and childhood memories to travel independently into remote regions, photographing communities rarely documented, particularly since the Taliban took power. His aim was to challenge stereotypes and highlight the beauty, dignity and resilience of Afghan life and traditions.

The images span diverse locations including Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, the Wakhan corridor, Nangarhar and the Pamir mountains, capturing scenes such as snowy valleys, a Pashai youth subculture in a remote eastern village, women in Wakhan, and the traditional sport of buzkashi. Malikyar said he positioned himself close to the action during the buzkashi game to convey its speed and unpredictability from within, rather than shooting from a distance. The collection, titled "Afghanistan," is published by teNeues and reflects a personal mission the photographer set himself as a child after reading The Kite Runner, to tell authentic Afghan stories.