Taliban criticizes 'peace balloons' project in Kabul

The Taliban has attacked through its website a well-meaning art peace project in Kabul, which was promoted by giving away 10,000 neon pink balloons.

The attack-piece stated that the conceptual artwork on view, which organizers said was designed to highlight young Afghans' creativity and sense of fun in a city wrecked by decades of war, was "vulgar and Western", reports New York Daily News.

In the critical essay titled - "Was it a balloon show or a mini-skirt show?", the author, Qari Habib, wrote that the West is using different techniques to promote their culture in Afghanistan, and sometimes they do it in an "undercover way".

He observed that girls were without headscarves, with tight jeans and tops on, and even with mini-skirts on the streets. The boys were also dressed in Western-style outfits. He added that after distributing some balloons, they wandered around Kabul aiming to break the culture of hijab.

Hijab is the culture of modesty in Islam and covers conduct and dress codes for males and females.

The festive event was held on the weekend, with 100 volunteers distributing the neon-pink "peace balloons" to surprised workers, families and shoppers.

Individuals and groups around the world sponsored each balloon for 1 dollar.