Volunteer distributes thousands of books to promote a culture of reading in Nangarhar.

In an inspiring initiative to promote a culture of reading and intellectual development, a young volunteer in Nangarhar has distributed thousands of books across eastern Afghanistan.

Mohammad Usman Hamdard, the young volunteer behind this campaign, has been collecting and redistributing books for nearly five years under the initiative "Take a Book and Read." His goal is to encourage people to embrace reading and cultivate a habit of continuous learning.

Hamdard collects extra books from individuals and distributes them for free to encourage reading among the public. “I started this campaign nearly five years ago to collect and redistribute books to young readers. They are happy to access books without cost, and their enthusiasm motivates me to continue this initiative,” he said.

The campaign has received a positive response, with many young people reaching out to him through social media, requesting books for reading. Encouraged by this demand, Hamdard plans to set up mobile libraries in recreational areas, hospitals, and bank waiting rooms to further facilitate access to books.

Intellectuals and scholars have praised this initiative, considering it an effective way to address societal challenges through knowledge and awareness. Hamid Afghan, a journalism student at Nangarhar University, emphasized the significance of reading in shaping perspectives. “The most crucial issue in Afghan society is intellectual development, which can only be achieved through reading. Hamdard’s campaign is commendable and should be supported,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of promoting reading habits and urged young people to balance their use of social media with book reading.

While bookstores were previously limited to Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar, the trend has now spread to various districts, where multiple bookstores and libraries have been established. This expansion provides easier access to books, catering to the growing interest in reading among the youth.