Burqa was the compulsory costume for Afghan women during the Taliban. After the fall of Taliban, Afghan women may choose freely whether to wear the full-enveloping burqa or merely headscarf as requested by the Islamic tradition. Nevertheless, many women still opt to wear burqa for various reason, including security, family pressure, belief, religion, tradition, or habit. Showing face in public space is still a big deal for many of the women. This lady is seen among the woman crowd in the Mausoleum of Hazrat Ali (Rauza) in Mazar-e-Sharif during the Naoruz (Persian New Year) celebration. She takes off the covering front of her burqa, but she still covers up her face with the blue garment.
Mazar-e-Sharif, 2008