A number of Afghan journalists say that in recent months more foreign journalists, researchers and tourists are visiting the country. They said with the increase there are more employment opportunities, particularly providing translation services for foreign visitors.

Roberto Cox and Maro Spartan are two foreign journalists from Chile who have recently visited Afghanistan to make documentaries. These journalists visited southern Kandahar province and say the world wants to know what is happening in Afghanistan, which has seen increased visits of foreign journalists to the country.

“I was very worried before arriving in Afghanistan, but now I feel comfortable,” Cox said.

“The world wants to know what is happening in Afghanistan. Therefore, many foreign journalists are interested in visiting Afghanistan,” Spartan said.

Meanwhile, Robbert Van Lanschot, a Dutch researcher who recently has come to Afghanistan said he wants to conduct research on Islamic culture in Afghanistan. “I have been writing a book about the relics, the remaining things like ring, cloth and hair of the Prophet Mohammad. In Kandahar there is a very important mantle, the mantle that the prophet was wearing when he made a short visit to heaven,” he said.

Lanschot said currently the situation for research is good in Afghanistan.

Local officials meanwhile said foreign reporters and tourists can freely and safely travel around the country. “They have gone to districts and returned to the provincial center safely,” said Noor Ahmad Saeed, head of the culture and information department of Kandahar.