Visited Mazār-e Sharīf in northern Afghanistan and seen the pigeons who represented the souls of the dead

When we visited Afghanistan we went to the north of the country to a town called Mazār-e Sharīf on 5th September 2004.  There is a Mosque called the 'Blue Mosque' and outside there are lots of pigeons who are believed to represent the souls of the dead.

We were told that one of the western aid worker once hit one with his car- there was a serious negative reaction from the locals.

 

Over the road from the Mosque was a carpet shop.  I snapped  this carpet that seemed to have an interesting theme.  What do you think?!