Khaled Hosseini BACKGROUND NOTES The Kite Runner

INTRODUCTION TO AFGHANISTAN Located in the Middle East Neighboured by countries such as Pakistan and Iran. Capital city is Kabul Languages include Pashto, Dari (Persian). Population: 28, 395, 716 (2010 census estimate) Islamic country - over 99% of the population is Muslim, the main two sects being Sunni Muslims (80-85%) and Shi’a (15-19%).

SOCIAL FACTIONS There are several primary social factions in Afghanistan, but this novel focuses mainly on two - the Pashtuns and the Hazara.

PASHTUN Pashtuns are upper class, wealthy. They are believed to make up about 42% of the population. It follows a patriarchal lineage – i.e. to be Pashtun, your father must be Pashtun. They follow the ‘Pashtunwali’ – an ancient Pashtun code of conduct and behaviour. Most are Sunni Muslim (although there are a significant amount of Pashtuns who are Shi’a.) Speak Pashto

HAZARA This is the third largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, however are believed to only make up about 10% of the population. However, many Hazara can be found in neighbouring countries where they live as refugees as a result of Taliban regimes that have ostracised them. Speak in ‘Dari’ dialect. Majority of Hazara are Shi’a Muslims.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF AFGHANISTAN

1933 - 1973 Afghanistan was a monarchy In July 1973, the King’s cousin seized power while the King was on holiday. It was a relatively bloodless coup, but the shooting and rioting on the streets frightened the people.

1978 - 1979 The ruler (same man who has overthrown his cousin in 1973) was overthrown and killed by the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). This group established political and social reforms in Afghanistan – including abolishing lots of traditional and religious customs in Afghanistan. Many people challenged the government because they were so upset by these changes.

1979 - 1989 The Soviet Army (Russia) entered Afghanistan and occupied the country. They stayed there for a decade. Internal Muslim forces (Mujahedin) resisted the occupation. The United States supported this resistance because of their own Anti-Soviet policies.

1989 - 1992 In 1989 the Soviet Army withdrew troops. The PDPA ruled Afghanistan again for another three years. In 1992 the Mujahedin finally won control of Afghanistan and turned it into an Islam state.

1992 - 1996 Lots of fighting between various factions and militias that had formed within Afghanistan. Everyday life was very unsafe and frightening.

1996 The Taliban (a group of Pashtun supremacists) took control of Afghanistan. This was generally welcomed because people were sick of the violence and insecurity they faced every day.

The TALIBAN RULE 1996 -2001 However the Taliban made life in Afghanistan even more dangerous. They were ‘Sunni Muslim’ supremacists and murdered Shi’ites (another faith.) This included many of the Hazara people. They also created and enforced fundamentalist laws, such as the banning of music and dancing. Women’s rights were severely restricted.

2001 and beyond US Army invaded Afghanistan (after the September 11 attacks) and with the Afghanistan opposition forces overthrew the Taliban. In 2004, the president of Afghanistan was elected.

The Taliban An Islamist military group “Students of Islamic Knowledge Movement” Mainly made up of Pashtuns They formed, reportedly, in opposition to the ‘tyranny’ of the local governor. (PDPA at the time). According to UN documents, they committed organised and systematic massacres of civilians. They especially targeted Hazara and people of Shi’a faith. The Taliban profited from various smuggling operations (mainly of electronics) and the production and sales of Opium.

Rules for women Had to wear the burqa in public Not allowed to work, or have an education after the age of 8. Before the age of 8, they were only allowed to study the Qur’an. Not allowed to be treated by male doctors (unless with a male chaperone.) Not allowed outside without a male Not allowed to be heard laughing Experienced public beatings or execution if they broke nay rules.

KHALED Hosseini – the author * Born March 4, 1965 * Eldest of 5 children * Father worked for the afghan Foreign Consul * Mother taught ‘Farsi’ and ‘History’ at a Girl’s Secondary School in Kabul * Grew up in Kabul * Family moved to Tehran, Iran in early 1970s * Returned to Kabul, 1973 * Moved to France 1976 * Supposed to return to Afghanistan in 1980 but Russians invaded the country and his father was granted political asylum in U.S.A. instead. * They ended up in San Jose, California. They struggled to make ends meet for a while.

KHALED Hosseini – the author * Graduated from high school in 1984 * Went to university and got a degree in Biology, graduated 1988. Then attended Medical School. Has worked as a medical practitioner since 1996. * Began working on The Kite Runner in 2001, finished it in 2002. The novel was published in 2003. * He has since completed: ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’, also set in Afghanistan. * Khaled Hosseini was partly inspired by Hossein Khan, who was their family cook. Khan taught him to read and write. * Hosseini’s experiences have shown him how social injustice and bias can be cruel and make a person’s life more difficult simply because of their race or upbringing - even if they live under the same roof.