The Plight Of The Hazara: Afghanistan's Persecuted Minority

The Hazara are one of Afghanistan's largest ethnic minorities, accounting for up to 20% of the country's 30 million inhabitants. However, the exact number of Hazara people in Afghanistan is unknown, with estimates ranging from 9% to 20% of the population. They are the third-largest ethnic group in the country and primarily live in the rugged highlands in the country's centre, in a region known as Hazarajat or the 'land of the Hazara'. The Hazara have a long history of persecution and discrimination in Afghanistan, and they constitute a religious minority as most are Shi'a Muslims, whereas most Afghans follow the Sunni branch of Islam.

The Hazara population in Afghanistan is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 9% to 20% of the total population

Prior to the 19th century, the Hazara people constituted nearly two-thirds of Afghanistan's total population. However, due to massacres, forced migration, and slavery during the 1891-93 Hazara War, their numbers significantly declined. It is estimated that more than half of the Hazaras were killed, enslaved, or forced to flee during this period of violence and persecution. Despite their long history and significant presence in Afghanistan, the Hazara community continues to face challenges and struggles.

The Hazara people have faced systematic discrimination, targeted violence, and enforced displacement, causing them to lose their standing in the social hierarchy of modern Afghanistan. They have been marginalised and subjected to ethnic and religious biases, with their distinct physical features setting them apart from other Afghans. The Hazara community primarily resides in the rugged central mountainous region of Afghanistan, known as Hazarajat or the 'land of the Hazara'. This area covers approximately 50,000 square kilometres and includes provinces such as Bamyan, Daikundi, Ghazni, and Uruzgan.

The Hazara people have a rich cultural heritage, known for their distinctive music, literary traditions, and oral history. They speak Hazaragi, a dialect of Dari or Farsi, and the majority follow the Shi'a branch of Islam. However, significant numbers of Hazaras are also Sunni Muslims or followers of the Ismaili Shi'a school of Islam. The Hazara community has a long history of resistance and activism against discrimination and has played a prominent role in Afghanistan's civil wars. They have formed political parties, such as the Hizb-e Wahdat, to advocate for their rights and representation.

In recent years, the resurgence of the Taliban and the presence of extremist groups like the Islamic State have posed significant threats to the Hazara community. They have been targeted by violent attacks, abductions, and mass killings, causing further displacement and insecurity. Despite these challenges, the Hazara people are known for their bravery, hardworking nature, and commitment to fighting for equal rights and peace in Afghanistan.

The Hazara people are thought to be of Turk-Mongol descent, speaking a dialect of Persian called Hazaragi

The Hazara people are thought to be of Turk-Mongol descent. There are several theories about the origins of the Hazara people. One theory suggests that they are the descendants of Genghis Khan's army, members of which mixed with the local Persian and Turkic people. They may be remnants of the troops that carried out the Siege of Bamiyan in 1221. Another theory suggests that the Hazara are autochthones of the area, representing a stock of the population preceding the invasions of Indo-European-speaking people (2000-1500 B.C.E.). A third theory suggests that they are of mixed race, resulting from several waves of migration. The Mongol contribution seems difficult to deny, considering the common physical appearance of the Hazara people. However, their features are actually very variable.

The Hazara people have a rich history and culture. They are known for their distinctive music and literary traditions, with a rich oral history, poetry, and music. The Hazara people have also faced significant marginalization, persecution, and displacement throughout their history. They are one of the most persecuted groups in Afghanistan and have faced violence, genocide, slavery, and forced displacement under various Afghan governments, including the Taliban. Despite these challenges, the Hazara people have a strong sense of community and have played a significant role in the history and culture of Afghanistan.

Hazaras are Afghanistan's third-largest ethnic group and are predominantly Shi'a Muslims

The Hazaras are Afghanistan's third-largest ethnic group, constituting about 20% of the population. They are predominantly Shia Muslims, with significant numbers also practising Sunni Islam.

Hazaras are thought to be of the Turk-Mongol race and speak a dialect of Dari (Farsi dialect) called Hazaragi. They are believed to be descendants of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, and the Mongol soldiers who swept through the region in the 13th century. Their name, "Hazara", is derived from the Persian word "Hazar", meaning "thousand".

Hazaras have a rich cultural heritage, with distinctive music, literary traditions, and poetry. They are also known for their expertise in rug weaving, embroidery, and calligraphy.

Hazaras have a long history of persecution in Afghanistan, particularly due to their religious beliefs. They have faced violence, discrimination, and displacement, with their lands being taken and redistributed, and their people being sold into slavery. Hazaras have also been denied access to education and public services, and have been underrepresented in government positions.

Despite their growing political influence, Hazaras continue to face challenges and feel discriminated against in Afghanistan. They have been targeted by extremist groups, including the Taliban and the Islamic State, with suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks on the rise since the 1990s.

Hazaras have actively campaigned for equal rights and have formed their own political parties to advocate for their interests. They played a significant role in opposing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and have been represented in the country's cabinet and vice president position.

Hazaras are an integral part of Afghanistan's diverse society, contributing to various fields, including sports, politics, and the arts. They have a strong sense of community and have settled in various parts of the world, including Pakistan, Iran, and Western countries.

The Hazara community has faced significant marginalisation, persecution, and displacement throughout history, particularly by the Taliban

The Hazara people are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, with distinctive Turko-Mongolian ethnic origins and Shia Muslim faith. They are thought to be the descendants of Genghis Khan's army, and their presence in Afghanistan has been recorded since the 16th century. The Hazara people have faced persecution for centuries, particularly due to their ethnic and religious differences from the majority Sunni population.

During the reign of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan from 1880 to 1901, the Hazara people were subjected to brutal massacres, expulsions, and displacement. It is estimated that millions of Hazaras were killed, enslaved, or forced to flee during this period, with some claiming that half of the Hazara population was lost. The Hazara people also faced discrimination and marginalisation in the following decades, with limited access to education, government positions, and the army. They were often subjected to violent attacks and forced to conceal their identities to obtain state identification.

Under the Taliban rule in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Hazara people faced severe repression and persecution. The Taliban declared war on the Hazara and committed mass killings, particularly in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998, where thousands of Hazaras were systematically executed. The Taliban also destroyed the Bamyan Buddha statues, which were central to Hazara culture and identity. The Taliban's policies and actions towards the Hazara community have been characterised as ethnic cleansing and genocide.

In recent years, the Hazara community has continued to face violence and displacement, with targeted attacks on Hazara mosques, cultural centres, and educational institutions. The Taliban has also forcefully displaced Hazara families from their ancestral homes and lands. The community faces a constant fear of ethnic cleansing and genocide, with little protection from the international community. The Hazara people have been marginalised, persecuted, and displaced throughout history, with the Taliban playing a significant role in their oppression.

The Hazara people are known for their distinctive music, poetry, and literary traditions, with a rich oral history

In the 1980s, a new kind of music emerged, called ahangha-e inqilabi (revolutionary songs). This was political music that promoted freedom, awakening, and political mobilisation. The first person to sing these revolutionary songs was Sarwar Sarkhosh, whose main message was for the young generation to rise and fight oppression and occupation.

Hazaragi poetry and music are also used to spread political messages. For example, during the resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, the classicist Llewellyn Morgan noted that Hazara finalist Hamid Sakhizada sang a composition by Safdar Tawakoli, which began: 'Whether we are from Bamiyan or Qandahar, we are all one brother…'

The Hazara people are proud of their cultural links to Genghis Khan and the Mongols. The word Hazara comes from the Persian for "one thousand" and is thought to derive from Genghis Khan's division of troops into groups of a thousand.

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