Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production

Afghan man Mohammad (L) and his son Asif weave a carpet on a loom at their home in Kabul on June 10, 2008. For centuries, Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production. But after the Taliban took power, many Afghan carpet makers fled to Pakistan. Since the Taliban were defeated in 2001, some 60 percent of the carpet makers who fled have returned to their homeland.

Afghan man Mohammad (L) and his son Asif (R) work on a loom at their home in Kabul on June 10, 2008. For centuries, Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production. But after the Taliban took power, many Afghan carpet makers fled to Pakistan. Since the Taliban were defeated in 2001, some 60 percent of the carpet makers who fled have returned to their homeland.

Afghan man, Mohammad (C) and his son Asif (L) weave a carpet on a loom at their home as his daughters look on in Kabul on June 10, 2008. For centuries, Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production. But after the Taliban took power, many Afghan carpet makers fled to Pakistan. Since the Taliban were defeated in 2001, some 60 percent of the carpet makers who fled have returned to their homeland.

A young Afghan girl Sohaila (L) is watched by her brother Asif as he weaves a carpet on a loom at their home in Kabul on June 10, 2008. For centuries, Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production. But after the Taliban took power, many Afghan carpet makers fled to Pakistan. Since the Taliban were defeated in 2001, some 60 percent of the carpet makers who fled have returned to their homeland.

An Afghan man, Mohammad weaves a carpet on a loom at his home in Kabul on June 10, 2008. For centuries, Afghanistan was recognized as a global leader in carpet production. But after the Taliban took power, many Afghan carpet makers fled to Pakistan. Since the Taliban were defeated in 2001, some 60 percent of the carpet makers who fled have returned to their homeland.