The History, Culture and People of Afghanistan A Thousand Splendid Suns By Khaled Hosseini

AFGHANISTAN The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a country in Asia/the Middle East. Population: 31.8 million Area: 647,500 km 2 (similar in size to France) Official Languages: Dari (Afghan Persian) and Pashto Landlocked nation

Current President: Hamid Karzai Official Religion: Islam GDP per capita: 695$ HDI (2011): 169 th (out of 187) High infant mortality Life expectancy: 43.8 years

An Ancient Nation Evidence of human life in Afghanistan dates back to BCE. (That is 2X longer than North America.) The oldest cities in Afghanistan date back to 3000 BCE. Area conquered by many different empires prior to Islamization. – Persians – Medians – Macedonians – Hellenes (Greeks)

Pre-Islamic Afghanistan Prior to the Islamization of Afghanistan, there were many Buddhists in the country. Martial Buddhism VS. Peaceful Buddhism Geography as determining the nature of the people. Pashtun Tribal Society: – Good qualities: Very brave, strong people who never give up. Good sportsmen. – Jirga System: council of elders who make the decisions for the community. Acts as judge and jury, exacts punishments. Patriarchal setting (only men allowed)

ISLAM

Islam is a monotheistic religion. Practitioners of Islam are called Muslims. Its holy book is called the Qur’an, and it was verbally revealed between CE. Approx. 80% Sunni, 20% Shia. Sharia (Islamic Law) – Covers all aspects of life, from government to issues of daily life. Five Pillars of Islam: – Shahada (Testimony) – Salat (Prayer) – Sawm (Fasting) – Zakat (Alms-Giving) – Hajj (Holy Pilgrimage)

MUHAMMAD: The Great Prophet CE Founder of Islam Believed to be the last, and greatest, prophet. The Qur’an was verbally revealed to him over a period of a few years. Spread the message of God and the Qur’an to surrounding areas. Military and religious leader.

From the Qur’an “Whoever kills one soul is as if he has killed all of humanity. Whoever makes one person live is as if he has made all of humanity live.” Chapter 5 “Do not kill yourself, because God is very merciful towards you.” Chapter 4

Islamic Conquest: 7 th- 8 th c. CE Islam moves into Afghanistan during the 7 th and 8 th c. CE. Militant Buddhists become passionate Muslims. There is a long period of peace.

British Colonization of India and it’s Effect on Afghanistan East India Company – British company which moves into India for trade purposes and then brings in their military. – British attack Afghanistan, but are completely defeated by the Pashtun. There was a period of peace following the British abandonment of their territorial plans for Afghanistan.

The Soviet War on Afghanistan Long War between the Russians and the Americans called the Cold War. The USSR (now Russia) was communist, and the Americans were in an ideological war with them.

1978: Socialist government formed in Afghanistan (pro- agrarian, pro-poor) Mujahideen (struggler for the faith) resistance fought against DRA. USSR took the side of the DRA. Americans took the side of the Mujahideen. – Funded the war – Trained Pashtun warlords and guerilla fighters with the help of Pakistani government – Provided them with weapons ( A LOT of them)

Afghan Civil War Russians withdraw from Afghanistan in Socialist government in Kabul falls in MASSIVE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, including many children. Complete lawlessness No government structure Warlords running the country.

Loss of Support from the Americans Americans hoped to build pipeline from the Central Asian Oil Reserves Tried to get support from Mujahideen by supplying weapons, training, etc. Afghans withdrew support for pipeline, causing friction with USA.

What is the difference between MUSLIMS and ISLAMISTS? MUSLIMS: – Religious and cultural group – Practice the religious teachings of the Qur’an. ISLAMISTS (sometimes called militant, political or activist Islam) – Believe that Islam is inherently political. – Strict interpretation of Sharia law. – Believe in pan-Islamic political unity – Seek the elimination of Western cultural, political, military, economic and social influences on the Muslim world.

What is the Taliban? Islamist political group in Afghanistan, born out of the Pashtun tribal Jirga system and the Muhajideen. Misogynistic (Anti- Woman)

Taliban Rule in Afghanistan The Taliban seize power in Afghanistan in September (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) Enforced the strictest interpretation of Sharia law. Regime fell in November 2001, after an attack from the USA following Still present and acting as a terrorist group, but not in political power.

Afghanistan Today Afghanistan today is still a war-ravaged nation death of Osama Bin Laden Plans to reduce military presence in 2014 President Karzai hopes to establish peace talks with Taliban