Is kite-flying really a popular hobby in Afghanistan?

No, kite-flying is not a popular hobby in Afghanistan. Although kite-flying has been practiced in the country for many centuries, it remains quite a rare activity, not widely engaged in like in other countries famous for kite-flying like China, India, or Indonesia. Furthermore, the practice of kite-flying is heavily discouraged in some parts of Afghanistan, especially with the rise of the Taliban regime, as it is deemed a frivolous activity that goes against their strict interpretation of Islamic law.