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Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. State Religion, Ethnic Groups & Elements of Civil Religion. Mohammad Jawid Gawhari Higher School of Economics Moscow Nov 2015. Outline. History Flag & Symbols Demographics Facts Ethnic and Religious Minorities Elements of Civil Religion

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Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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  1. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan State Religion, Ethnic Groups & Elements of Civil Religion Mohammad Jawid Gawhari Higher School of Economics Moscow Nov 2015

  2. Outline • History • Flag & Symbols • Demographics • Facts • Ethnic and Religious Minorities • Elements of Civil Religion • Elements of Civil Religion continued

  3. History

  4. Flag/Symbols • 3 vertical colors (Left-right)Black, Red and Green • Black color represents dark days and occupation • Red represents fighting against occupation, Jihad, sacrifice and blood. • Green represents independent, bright future, hope • The emblem is made of two wheat clusters which represents agriculcure. • In between the clusters there is ‘’Mehrab’’ or Mosque and bove the mosque it is ‘’Kaleme Shahada’’ in Arabic which is key word to Islam • Constitution is based on Islamic Laws

  5. Demographics • Population: 30 million: Pashtun 36%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 19%, Uzbek 10%, others 10% • Religion: (99% Muslim: Sunni 75%, Shia 25%), Hindu 1% • Official Languages: Persian (Farsi) & Pashto • Pashtun’s speak in Pashto while Tajiks and Hazaras’ speak in Farsi, Uzbeks & Turkmens speak Uzbeki • Afghanistan is mainly consisted of three regions; South(Pashtuns), North(Tajiks) & Center(Hazaras)

  6. Facts • Constitution: is based on Islamic Law; however, since Afghanistan is an aid-dependent country it has also considers sort of western laws & traditions which the donor countries proposed e.g. human rights, freedom of speech, gender equality etc. • National holidays: 19th August National Independence Day, 28th April Mujahideen Victory Day vs. USSR, Nawroz( New year of Solar HijriCalender), Ashura(the day Hussain son of Ali, the 4thKhalif of Muslims killed in the battle of Karbala), Eid al Fitr & Eid al Adha (3 days religious holiday), Sep9 anniversary of AhmadshahMasoud

  7. Ethnic & Religious Minorities • Civil War: after the withdrawal of USSR (for power & rights) • Hazaras minorities demanded for more rights & recognition • ‘’Being a Hazara should not be a crime anymore’’ A. Mazari, Hazara leader 1980s-1995 (killed by Taliban) • Hazaras were marginalized and oppressed by the previous regimes because of being Shia & having Mongolian roots. • 61% of Hazara Shia minority was massacred in 1880s • More than 70% of the Hindu Sikhs forced to leave Afghanistan because they were believed to be infidels • Still Hindu’s are not allowed to have a seat in the parliament • For the last 100 years or more Pashtun’s are in power. • More than 90% of Taliban members are Pashtun ethnic group.

  8. Elements of Civil Religion (Unity Points) Afghanistan is and Islamic Republic so there is a state religion. Although there were more conflicts & differences than common points between ethnic groups in Afghanistan but in the recent years we have seen people of different background coming together. • Religious holidays: Eid al Fitr & Eid al Adha 3 days each Eid ethnic groups to each other home and celebrate it together. • Nawroz: is the start of our new year, all people celebrate it together. • Sports: Afghanistan football team united pleased and united the whole nation by winning South Asian Championship in 2014. Rohullah Nikpai won two medals from 2008 & 2012 Olympic games in the history of Afghanistan although he is a Hazara, but people all over country celebrated it.

  9. Elements of Civil Religion (Unity Points) • Common enemy: Taliban, ISIS, corruption, poverty, inflation etc • Recently, Taliban slaughtered seven Hazara civilians including women & children, tens of thousands of people from different ethnic groups demonstrated against Taliban & government officials. • John F. Campbell NATO forces commander in Afghanistan: ‘’Protest in Kabul was an opportunity for unity among Afghans and that the country's problems will be overcome through solidarity’’. • Music, Poetry & Art: For instance, nationalist music and unity encouraging and integration, music has been increased dramatically recently. Pashtun artist singing songs in Hazara dialect, Hazara singing in Pashto or Uzbeki increase tolerance and integration.

  10. Elements of Civil Religion (Unity Points) World wide famous itellectuals are a common unity poit which every Afghan is proud of and defending them regardless of their ethnic or sectarian background. • Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi or ‘’Rumi’’ famous Persian poet was born in Balkh Afghanistan buried in Turkey • Imam Abu Hanifa, one of the main four jurisprudents of Islam which 70% of Sunni-Muslims are following his school (Hanafi School), he is believed to be from old Khurasan current Afghanistan • Scholars and scientists like Abu Ali Sina or Avicenna born in Bukhara of Khurasan during Samanid Empire.

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