Nurista-n is a region embedded in the south of Hindu Kush valleys. It was formerly known as Kafiristan (land of the non-Islamic) until its forced Islamization in 1896 brought light (nur) to the area. Today it is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, formed in 1989 and officially established in 2001 from the northern parts of Laghman Province and Kunar Province.