Beyond the headlines: Daniel Malikyar on capturing the unseen beauty of Afghanistan

Reimagining Afghanistan Through the Lens of Daniel Malikyar

Poinews.com – For generations, global perceptions of Afghanistan have been dominated by narratives of turmoil and emergency. Photographer Daniel Malikyar is working to transform this perspective with his latest publication, titled simply Afghanistan. Raised in America by refugee parents, Malikyar journeyed solo throughout the nation prior to the Taliban’s resurgence on August 15, 2021. His work captures isolated villages, daily customs, and scenery that international viewers seldom encounter.

A Personal Mission to Bridge Two Worlds

In conversation with Euronews Culture, Malikyar explained his motivation clearly:

When people think of Afghanistan, they just think of the headlines. But there’s so much beyond that.

His photographs honor the nation’s splendor, traditions, and strength. Viewers can see balloon vendors floating through Kabul’s morning streets, youngsters launching kites over urban rooftops, Kyrgyz herders guiding yaks across the Pamir Mountains, and close-up portraits of women and elders in distant territories.

Malikyar’s personal connection to the country runs deep. He shared:

Definitely. My family is originally from Afghanistan, and my parents immigrated to the United States in 1979, just before the Soviet invasion.

Childhood in America meant navigating two distinct realities. At home, cultural richness came through cuisine, melodies, and family tales. Outside, media coverage painted a different picture entirely. This contrast created a persistent desire to connect with his heritage.

I always had this longing to bridge that gap and gain a deeper understanding of both where I come from and myself.

Documenting the Unseen

Many of Malikyar’s images were shaped by memories of conversations at the dinner table. His parents spoke of flying kites and tending gardens—moments he had never witnessed firsthand. News footage provided the only visual reference for his ancestral homeland.

I believe this project was my way of trying to gain a deeper understanding of my roots and almost search for and document the missing pieces of those stories.

Traveling through Afghanistan presented challenges after years of warfare. Certain areas remained difficult to navigate. Yet the experience proved transformative for both Malikyar and his family. His parents had heard legends about Nuristan, a province known for verdant woodlands and flowing rivers. Viewing these locations through his lens brought profound meaning.

Seeing those moments unfold in front of me felt like a full-circle, homecoming experience.

Sharing the work with his grandmother and collaborating with his parents on a documentary marked particularly rewarding milestones. The emotional distance between past and present narrowed significantly.

I could see their faces light up when they saw everyday life.

A Legacy of Observation

Malikyar’s relationship with photography traces back to his grandfather Omar, whom he admired greatly. Though separated by geography—his grandfather in Virginia, Malikyar growing up in Los Angeles—they maintained contact through annual visits. Omar recorded these meetings using video tapes and developed photographs, allowing Daniel to experience those moments through another’s eyes.

This early exposure to visual storytelling planted the seeds for his career. He believes his grandfather would take pride in this work.

Personally, that sense of something missing has disappeared. The gap has been bridged.

His approach to photography centers on building genuine connections. Whether capturing a brief meeting or documenting someone who becomes a lasting companion, patience and respect guide his process.

For me, anywhere in the world, whether I’m photographing a fleeting encounter or someone who becomes a lifelong friend, everything is built on trust. And trust has to be earned.

Through this project, Malikyar has found personal wholeness while offering the world a richer, more nuanced portrait of Afghanistan—one that extends far beyond the headlines.