religious and
cultural differences
Pashtun
Hazara
The Hazara Ethnic Group
- 9% of the Afghan population
- They share physical, lingual, and cultural characteristics with the Mongols
- Speak a Persianized Mongol language called "Hazaragi"
- Live mostly in Central Afghanistan
- Traditionally nomads (like the Mongols!)
- Hazara are mostly followers of the Shiite branch of Islam
They live in the mountianous and rugged part of Central Afghanistan and stick mostly to this region called "Hazarajat".
Share physical characteristics with the Mongol people of Central Asia
The Hazara are said to be descended from Ghengis Khan's Army which marched into the area during the 1200's
- The Hazara leaders were called "kahns" until they were defeated by the pashtun in 1891
The Hazara face discrimination and repression because of cultural/physical differences in relation to the Pashtun, the largest ethnic group.
They are one of Afghanistan's most impoverished ethnic groups, and one of the most resistant to government control.
- As Shiites, the Hazara highly value martyrdom as a tradition.
Leaders are called mujtahids
He is the manefestation of God and can interpret the Qur'an perfectly.
Differences from Sunnis
1. Imamate
2. Taqiyya
3. Taqlid
4. Khums
Holidays
The major Shi'ite holiday is the celebration of the martyrdom of Hussain (Ali's son).
On this day, Shi'ites perform plays and hold processions where they beat themselves until they bleed.
Conflicts
Flag: Pashtun led Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan Government (Communist)
Soviet-Afghan War
- Soviet Goal: get rid of the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan
- Pashtun government VS. the Soviet Republic
- Soviets gave the other ethnicities political autonomy
- Soviets withdrew in 1989
- the minor ethnicities were not willing to give up power so easily
VS.
Taliban invaded the Mazar-i-Sharif, a Shiite holy site, the Taliban massacred the Hazaras that were defending it.
Ariel Cutter
Carina Munoz
Carolyn Somvilay
Dani Ambrosio
Gianne Rayandayan
and
Pashtun Boy
Hazara boy
Pashtun Ethnic Group
- 38% of the Afghan population
- Largest ethnic group in Afghanistan
- Situated throughout Afghanistan
- They speak Pashto as their native tongue
- Most Pashtuns follow the Sunni sect within Islam
Pashtun tribe
Pashtuns belong to a certain clan or tribe to dedicate their loyalty to.
Conflicts often happen over property, women, or revenge.
These clans/tribes are infamous for being violent with opposing clans/tribes.
"Milmastia" . . .Hospitality
"Tureh" . . . .Courage
"Badal" . . . .Revenge/Justice
"Sabat" . . . .Loyalty
"Imandari" . . .Righteousness
"Ghayrat" . . . .Protection of one's honor
"Namus" . . . .Honor of women
These laws stress the importance of...
Mass repression (arrests and executions) of tens of thousands:
- professionals
- Islamic leaders
- Hazaras
A code of unwritten, moral laws (Pashtunwali) that the Pashtun people abide to.
They are considered the most powerful ethnic group
in Afghanistan. However, due to fighting between the
Taliban and U.S. forces, many were left displaced and
many emigrated from Afghanistan.
Shiite
One of Two Main Sects of Islam
he was married to Fatimah, Muhammad's favorite daughter
The doctrine of the Koran is more open to interpretation, but clerical hierarchy is more structured.
Ali
They only recognize the fourth caliph, Ali
Shi'ites do not recognize the first three caliphs
Sunni
the shiites believe that their religious leaders are chosen from Mohammad's lineage
Shiites highly value martyrdom as a tradition
was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad
The Ali are the direct descendants of Mohammad, Allah's prophet
Translated into "the party of Ali"
They believe that the imam must be a descendant of Muhammad
There are different groups of Shi'ites.
Most of the difference lies in how many imams they believe have come after Ali
AND
Sunni's make up 83 % of Muslims
Shi'ites who belive there have been twelve imams are called Twelvers, while Shi'ites who believe there have only been seven imams are called Seveners.
Most Shi'ites are Twelvers.
A Sunni man
BeliEved to be a
PRAGMATIC GROUP
- The name Sunni translates to " tradition"
They occupy most of the
Middle East
Sunnis believe in temporary marriages
Sunni Muslims are more widely diffused than Shiite Muslims
- Don't believe that Muhammad
designated a successor
- Sunni shun formal clergy and sunni leaders are instead elected
- The Koran holds political and religious law
the koran is to be taken literally!
- no images of islamic leaders
- no elaborate tombs for famous muslims
The Extremist faction of Wahabists with
which Osama Binladen is associated falls under the Sunni branch of Islam
Ruler is called the mujtahids
- They suffer persecution willingly
- Their knowledge comes from God
Taliban
- Shi'ites are permitted to hide their beliefs when they are among people who would harm them
- This probably developed due to the immense amount of discrimination Shi'ites have faced throughout history
fundamentalist Sunni Islamic group
Northern Alliance
This persecution has led to the feeling among Shi'ites that they have been wronged by non-Shia Muslims.
- non-Pashtun, ethnic alliance
- Tajik and Uzbek soldiers
- Shia should imitate or model themselves on the example of a pious scholar.
- Originally developed among both Sunnis and Shia, this is now mostly a Shia practice
Modern Sunni thought disapproves of this practice.
- Shi'ites must pay one fifth of their annual income to their local religious authority.
- This extra money has helped Shi'ite religious authorities remain free from government control throughout history.
Period 2