Afghanistan's Struggles (World in Conflict-the Middle East)

Cory Gunderson

By Cory Gunderson

WORLD IN CONFLICT: THE MIDDLE EAST

V I S I T U S AT W W W. A B D O P U B . C O M Published by ABDO & Daughters, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company, 4940 Viking Drive, Suite 622, Edina, Minnesota 55435. Copyright ©2004 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States. Edited by: Sheila Rivera Contributing Editors: Paul Joseph, Chris Schafer Graphic Design: Arturo Leyva Cover Design: Castaneda Dunham, Inc. Photos: Corbis, Fotosearch

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gunderson, Cory Gideon. Afghanistan’s struggles / Cory Gunderson. p. cm. -- (World in conflict (Edina, Minn.). Middle East) Includes bibliographical references and index. Contents: Overview of a struggling nation -- The land and its location -- A history of invasions -- Modern Afghan wars -- A people divided -- An Islamic nation -- Afghanistan today -- Timeline -- Fast facts. ISBN 1-59197-410-0 1. Afghanistan--Juvenile literature. [1. Afghanistan.] I. Title. II. Series. DS351.5.G86 2003 958.1--dc21 2003040331 2

A F G H A N I S TA N ’ S

STRUGGLES

WORLD IN CONFLICT: THE MIDDLE EAST

TA B L E

OF

CONTENTS

Overview of a Struggling Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Land and its Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A History of Invasions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Modern Afghan Wars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 A People Divided . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 An Islamic Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Afghanistan Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Fast Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Web Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Table of Contents

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Decades of fighting have left the Afghanistan landscape in ruins.

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OVERVIEW

OF A STRUGGLING NATION

S

ince the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, news from the Middle East arrives all the time. Fresh information from that area of the world

dominates newspaper headlines and television news reports around the globe. The Middle East has experienced conflict for hundreds of years. Never before had their trouble hit so close to the United States as it did the day the hijacked airplanes slammed into American targets. The U.S. government soon discovered that the hijackers were directed by Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden was known to live and run training camps in Afghanistan. The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, quickly announced the United States’ plan to prevent future terrorist attacks. The Secretary warned Taliban leaders in Afghanistan that they must not let terrorists live and train there. The Taliban would be punished if they did.

Overview of a Struggling Nation

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Afghanistan at the “crossroads” of other countries

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The Taliban is a radical Islamic fundamentalist group. Radical Islamic fundamentalists hold stricter religious beliefs than other members of Islam. They do not tolerate other religious beliefs. This group imposes harsh rules on all Afghan people. They think the Muslim holy book, or Koran, calls them to do this. They also hand out severe punishment for those who disobey these rules. Though the majority of Afghans are followers of Islam, not all are fundamentalists. And few Islamic fundamentalists are terrorists. Many Afghans resent the Taliban’s rule and don’t believe the Koran permits the killing of innocent people. Throughout the centuries, the Afghans have struggled between themselves. They have also struggled to prevent foreign countries from ruling them. Afghanistan is a mountainous, landlocked country in the Middle East. It is surrounded by Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China. It has been called “a nation at the crossroads” because of its central location among these countries. Foreign attack has been a threat to Afghanistan for centuries because of its location on both east-west and north-south trade routes. The ancient treasures discovered in this country are proof of Afghanistan’s important location along centuries-old trade routes.

Overview of a Struggling Nation

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The Afghan people have lost much throughout the centuries. The long struggle of these people is visible in the war-torn ruins and in the poverty that has gripped the country.

The Afghan flag, adopted January 28, 2002

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T HE L AND AND ITS L OCATION

T

he Middle East is a region located between the Far East and Europe. Afghanistan is a Middle Eastern country that is similar in size to the state

of Texas. Its land area is 250,000 square miles (647,500 square kilometers). Much of that land is covered by mountain ranges. There are also large areas of plains and deserts across the country. Three distinct regions make up Afghanistan. These regions are the Northern Plains, the Central Mountains, and the Southern Plateau. The Northern Plains region is heavily populated. It is the country’s primary farming area. These plains contain some of Afghanistan’s most fertile soil. There is often too little rainfall in Afghanistan. Usually only the land that is near water sources can be planted and harvested. Rice and cotton are raised along the Kokcha River and the Kunduz River. This is where irrigation systems have been constructed. Goats and sheep are raised on the grasslands in the Northern Plains.

The Land and its Location

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A map of Afghanistan

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Afghanistan’s Central Mountain region spans across two-thirds of the country. This region is made up of deep, narrow valleys and towering peaks. The Hindu Kush Mountains make up the largest part of the Himalayan Mountain range in Afghanistan. The northeastern part of this region is geologically active. More than a dozen earthquakes have occurred in the past century near Kabul. Kabul is the nation’s capital. The Kabul River is 435 miles (700 kilometers) long. Three hundred and fifty miles of it run through Afghanistan. It is the source of water in the Central Mountain region. Streams from the Kabul River provide water for some of Afghanistan’s most productive farmland. The Khyber Pass is a narrow route through the mountains of the Hindu Kush. It is a main passage between Kabul and Peshawar, Pakistan. It is also a primary route from central Asia into India. The Afghans fought many of their enemies at this important location. The Southwestern Plateau is made up of high plateaus, semi-deserts, and sandy deserts. Several major rivers cross this region. For the most part, though, it is without plant life. Afghanistan is known for its extremely cold winters and its hot, dry summers. Temperatures can range from a low of -24º F (-31º C) during the winter to a high of 120º F (49º C) during the summer.

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Afghanistan’s landforms have impacted the cultural development of its population. The lack of a good transportation system makes communication across the country difficult. Without effective communication, it has been a challenge to unite the Afghans. They are not one on an economic, political, or social basis. Of the nearly 28 million people in Afghanistan, 80 percent live in rural areas. The mountains keep villages separate from each other to a large degree. This means that each village must rely primarily upon those within it. Villagers build houses, grow their own food, and protect one another. For the most part, the rural Afghans trade with others within the region. Usually they do not trade across their nation. Afghanistan’s lack of unity has been at the root of the country’s problems for centuries.

The Land and its Location

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Afghan soldiers fighting off foreign invaders

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A H ISTORY OF I NVASIONS

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he land was once called “Aryana” and then “Khorasan.” Now it’s called Afghanistan. Throughout the ages, Afghanistan’s central

location in the Middle East has made the country attractive to outsiders. Rulers who wanted to make their territory bigger were interested in the country. The Afghans became strong fighters. When they were not fighting off foreigners, they were usually in battle with another tribe for control. Peace has been hard to come by for the Afghan people. Invaders who came to conquer Afghanistan brought with them massive armies and other followers. When the conquerors left Afghanistan, some of the soldiers and followers were left behind. Relatives of these stragglers from various parts of the world still live in Afghanistan. They keep their tribal customs.

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They usually live in the regions their ancestors first occupied. Even today these ethnic groups, or tribes, remain largely independent from each other. Afghanistan first appeared in recorded history in about 540 B.C., when a Persian king conquered it. Cyrus the Great folded this land into his Achaemenid Empire. Future kings had roads and irrigation systems built and encouraged trade. This empire was the largest in the ancient world. Then Alexander the Great conquered and destroyed it between 336 and 330 B.C. Alexander built cities throughout his kingdom and ruled until his death in 323 B.C. Because he left no heirs, Alex’s empire was split in three. Greek rule in Afghanistan ended in 185 B.C., but the Greek influence on culture and art continued. Around 135 B.C., five Asian tribes united and established the Kushan Empire. Their control reached from north-central India to China. During Kushan rule, a major trade route that linked Rome and China passed through Afghanistan. This route was called the Silk Road. Luxury goods, art, and ideas spread throughout the country. Buddhist beliefs, art, and architecture also spread throughout Afghanistan. The empire ended in 220 A.D. The country was left disjointed.

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From about 241 to about 400, the Sassian Empire controlled Afghanistan. During this time, Greek, Roman, and central Asian influence was resented. Many caravans traveling along the Silk Road were attacked. A lot of traders transported their wares by way of ship during this time. The Hephthalites from central Asia conquered parts of Afghanistan in 400. They ruled until 565 when the Sassanians and western Turks gained power. Arab armies attacked the Sassanian Empire in about 642. They brought the Islamic religion with them. This was the start of a new era for Afghanistan. Islamic rulers have controlled the country since the eighth century. Afghanistan’s culture was enriched during the Ghazni Empire, which was established in 962. Islam spread throughout the country and India. The brightest scientists, artists, and educated people were brought to the empire. Mahmud, the third Ghazni ruler, died in 1030. The empire declined then. It was eventually taken over by the Ghurids from northwestern Afghanistan. The Ghurids ruled the country from 1151 until 1219. Genghis Khan invaded Afghanistan from Mongolia in 1219. His name means “The Ocean–Great Ruler.” Without mercy, he and his army destroyed cities, monuments, and

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Genghis Khan, “The Ocean-Great Ruler”

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irrigation systems. They ruined trade centers, entire cities, and killed people. Genghis Khan also tried to destroy Islam but was unable to do so. So great was the impact of Khan’s destruction that some cities never recovered. During the Mongolian Rule, the worship of Buddha almost disappeared from the region. The Mongolian Empire began to fade after the death of Genghis Khan. Descendants of the Ghurids ruled the region from 1332 until 1370. Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a descendant of Genghis Khan. He invaded and acquired much Afghan territory near the end of the fourteenth century. Like Genghis Khan, he was ruthless in killing his foes. He also developed the arts, trading, and industry during his reign. The Timurid Empire, which lasted about 100 years, was a prosperous and peaceful time. Zehir-ed-Din Muhammad Babur was a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan. He was a military genius who founded the Mogul Empire. The empire’s capital was in India. All eastern Afghanistan up to the Hindu Kush belonged to it. When Barbur died in 1530, two empires sought control of Afghanistan. The Mogul Empire of India and the Safavid Empire of Iran wanted to rule the land. For 200 years, control of major cities changed hands. Almost 350 separate tribes held power in the country then.

A History of Invasions

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Tamerlane invaded Afghanistan near the end of the fourteenth century.

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From 1709 until 1747, cruel Persian rulers controlled two of the largest tribes in Afghanistan. In 1747, the tribes revolted. The leader of the Persian army, Nadir Shah, was killed by one of his bodyguards. The leader of Nadir Shah’s bodyguards was Ahmad Khan Abdali. He did not prevent the killing and was elected the leader of the Abdali tribe. He established the Durrani Empire. Ahmad Khan Abdali won the loyalty of many other Afghan tribal leaders. He built up his empire. Ahmad was well loved by his countrymen. He also had a large family. Afghans called him baba, or father. Over the next 25 years, Ahmad Shah united the tribes into a unified Afghanistan. The Durrani Empire began to fall apart after 1798 when a non-Muslim was appointed governor. By 1800, the empires of Russia and Britain were both interested in control of Afghanistan.

A History of Invasions

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M ODERN A FGHAN WARS

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n the early nineteenth century, Afghanistan’s leader, Dost Mohammed, asked the British for their help. He wanted to keep the city of Peshawar from his enemies, the Sikhs.

The British were in India traveling north while the Russians were traveling south into central Asia. Only the Hindu Kush separated these competitors. The British refused to help Dost Mohammed, so he asked Russia for support. The British were angered and attacked Afghanistan. This was the beginning of the First Anglo-Afghan War. The war lasted from 1839 until 1842. Though Britain

captured Kabul, the British retreated after the loss of thousands of their soldiers. Dost Muhammad temporarily lost power. He regained it when the British left. While he never regained control over Peshawar, he did rule 20 more years. He died in 1862.

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The Second Anglo-Afghan war was ignited in 1878. There had been many disagreements between Britain and Dost Mohammed’s third son, Sher Ali Khan. The British attacked Afghanistan once again after Sher Ali Khan met with Russian politicians. He had refused to meet with British representatives. Sher Ali was unsuccessful in getting Russia’s help in fighting the British. He died as he fled from the enemy army. Upon his death, Britain gained control of Afghanistan. Britain put Ali’s son, Yakub Khan, in command. He went along with all of Britain’s demands. The Afghans did not tolerate this. Yakub Khan was forced to flee to India. By 1880, after suffering great casualties, the British left Afghanistan. Abdur Rahman, Dost Mohammed’s grandson and Sher Ali’s nephew, led the country. Afghanistan’s foreign affairs continued to be controlled by Britain. The British drew a boundary between British India and Afghanistan. The boundary cut through the Pashtun tribe’s region. This Durand Line has been the source of disagreement ever since. Abdur Rahman is considered the founder of modern Afghanistan. His British-supported reign lasted from 1880 until 1901. During this time, the Russians and the British agreed upon boundaries that now shape Afghanistan.

Modern Afghan Wars

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Map showing the British forces moving north while the Russian forces were traveling south

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Abdur Rahman’s son, Habibullah Khan, continued to preserve the independence of Afghanistan. Though the country was still controlled by Britain, he built a strong centralized government. He also strengthened Afghanistan’s education system. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1919. Habibullah Kahn’s third son, Amanullah, assumed leadership. That same year, Amanullah wanted Afghanistan’s complete freedom from British control. His troops attacked British troops in India. This marked the start of the Third Afghan War. The war lasted one month. Britain gave up control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs in the Treaty of Rawalpindi. This was signed in 1921. The treaty also ended Britain’s financial support of Afghanistan. Muslim clerics and conservatives were angered by Amanullah’s attempts to modernize the country. He was overthrown in 1928. Nadir Shah, a relative of Dost Mohammed, took control. His administration was based on orthodox Islamic law. An assembly of tribal chiefs supported Nadir Shah. He ended the reforms initiated by Amanullah. In 1933, Nadir Shah was killed, and his son Zahir Shah led Afghanistan. Daoud Khan, Zahir Shah’s cousin, later became Afghanistan’s prime minister. With financial support from the

Modern Afghan Wars

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Soviet Union, he planned to modernize Afghanistan. In 1963, he resigned as prime minister. Zahir Shah led Afghanistan again until 1973 when Daoud Khan overthrew him. Afghanistan was pronounced a republic. Daoud was killed in a coup in 1978. The Afghan tribes battled among themselves again. The Soviets used this chance to invade the country on December 24, 1979. Muslim tribes joined to form the mujahedin resistance movement. Pakistan and the United States provided financial support to these tribes. These allies fought the Soviet spread of communism in Afghanistan. The Soviets had more and better resources. Still they could not beat the United States-aided Afghan rebels. Communism was defeated. By 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union. He ended the country’s war against Afghanistan. The defeat of the Soviets did not end Afghanistan’s turmoil. The battles between different Afghan ethnic groups continued.

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Soviet troops withdraw from Kabul on May 15, 1988.

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A P EOPLE D IVIDED

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he Afghan people group themselves based on their ethnic identity. When these groups are not joined in a fight against a foreign invader, their loyalty is

with their ethnic group. This loyalty is typically stronger than a national identity. The two largest ethnic groups are the Pashtuns and the Tajiks. More than half of the Afghan people belong to one of these groups. The Pashtuns see themselves as the true Afghans. They have typically held the most power in the country. They have likely lived in Afghanistan since history was recorded. The Pashtuns are known for their strength and fighting skills. Some call them “men of the sword.” Their culture centers on a code that determines social order. This legal and moral code is called “Pashtunwali.” Hospitality, revenge, loyalty to one another, and honor are essential to this code. These values often conflict with the Taliban’s values.

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The Tajiks are of Iranian origin. Though all are Muslim, some are Shiites and the others are Sunnis. The Shiite Muslims are typically poor farmers who live in the mountain regions. They are identified by the name of the region or valley they come from. The Sunni Muslims are middle class city dwellers. They tend to be educated and modernized. They are sometimes called “men of pen.” The Hazaras are believed to be ancestors of Genghis Khan’s soldiers. Most are Shiite Muslims who live in the mountain regions. They shepherd their herds through seasonal grazing grounds. They are poor people who are known to be frugal and hard working. Like the Pashtuns and Tajiks, Uzbeks and Turkmen are also of Mongoloid ethnicity and descended from Tamerlane’s followers. They live in the northern border regions where they grow rice, vegetables, and wheat. Other smaller ethnic groups live in Afghanistan. These include the Aimaq, Arab, Kirghiz, Wakhi, Farsiwan, Nuristani, Baluch, Brahui, Qizilbash, Kabuli, and Jat. These groups each live in different parts of Afghanistan. They tend to live in the rough land near the borders.

A People Divided

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There are many ethnic groups, but some are not interested in blending with other groups. It is more important to Afghans to preserve their group’s native language and culture. As a result, the Afghan people are a people divided.

Afghans maintaining their heritage and culture

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A N I SLAMIC N ATION

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hough ethnic differences separate the Afghan people, the Islamic faith unites them. Only a small fraction of Afghans are not Muslim. Some

Sikhs, Hindus, and Jews live in Afghanistan and are typically urban dwellers. The Prophet Muhammad founded the Islamic religion in the early seventh century. Muhammad’s teachings guide the Muslims in the economic, social, political, and personal situations they face daily. His teachings, believed by Muslims to have come from Allah, are recorded in the Koran. The Koran is the Muslim holy book. This book includes the five pillars, or laws, of Islam. The first pillar is called the “Shahadat” and declares Allah as the one and only God. It identifies Muhammad as God’s messenger. All Muslims promise that they will swear to this belief on Judgment Day.

An Islamic Nation

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The “Salat” is the second pillar. Muslims must pray five times throughout each day, alone or with a congregation in a mosque. A mosque is the Islamic place of worship. Women who worship in a mosque must pray in an area separate from the men. The Muslim Sabbath is Friday. All Muslim men must gather each Sabbath at the mosque for noon prayer. The third pillar is “Zakat.” Every Muslim is to give a certain portion of their income to the poor each year. This giving typically happens in the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar. “Sawm” is the fourth pillar. It requires Muslims to fast, or not eat, during the month of Ramadan. During this time, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink between dawn and dusk. The evening meal, called the “iftar,” is eaten after dusk. The fifth pillar, “Hajj,” commands Muslims to make a pilgrimage. Each Muslim who is able is to journey to Mecca at least once in his lifetime. Muslims believe that this holy city in Saudi Arabia is where Muhammad once lived. “Jihad” is sometimes called the sixth pillar of Islam. Muslims believe that they must always struggle to make Allah’s, or God’s, commands supreme. The jihad can be a personal struggle within a Muslim. It can also be with an enemy such as a foreign invader. The main goal of the jihad is to establish Islamic control over self and society.

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When Muhammad died in 632, his followers disagreed as to who should succeed him. This disagreement divided the Muslims. The majority of Muslims are Sunnis. They believed that Muhammad’s successor should be one of his companions. They wanted to vote for their future leader. The Shiites believed that Muhammad had selected his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as the future leader. Other differences between the Sunnis and Shiites developed over time. This decision on who would lead after Muhammad was, and remains, the biggest difference.

More than one million Muslims gather in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

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Afghan tribesmen

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A FGHANISTAN TODAY

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he struggles of the Afghan people continue today. After the Soviets left the country in the early 1980s, different ethnic groups battled. This fighting

resulted in an unstable country and no central government. In the mid 1990s, some Pashtun people formed a new group called the “Taliban.” The word “Talib” means “religious student.” Most who belonged were Islamic fundamentalists who had been trained in religious schools. Many followers couldn’t read. They had been taught to memorize the Koran. Their goal was to rid Afghanistan of Western influence. They wanted to return their country to a pure Islamic nation. The Taliban overtook Kabul in the fall of 1996. On September 27, 1996, Afghanistan’s president Buhanuddin Rabban left the capital. Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban leader, guided the activities of this group’s efforts.

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Many Afghans fled from their country as the Taliban took increasing control of it. Though most who fled were Muslim, they disagreed with the Taliban’s severe beliefs. The Taliban believes that their holy book forbids Muslims from certain earthly pleasures. Under Taliban rule, television, movies, and music were banned. All photos, including family portraits, were forbidden. Women were not allowed to go to school or to work outside their homes. When they left their homes, women had to completely cover themselves in a burqa. They had to be escorted by a close male relative outside their home. Former President Rabbani’s military fought to keep land and control from the Taliban. Rabbani’s military commander joined forces with other Afghan commanders. They formed the United Front for Afghanistan (UFA). This group is also known as the Northern Alliance. Osama bin Laden is a Muslim fundamentalist originally from Saudi Arabia. He provided money to the Taliban’s efforts. He had access to millions of dollars that he had inherited from his father. Bin Laden hates the U.S. He thinks the U.S. military and political presence in Muslim holy lands is wrong. He fights against America’s influence in the world. Bin Laden believes that American values conflict with Muslim ones.

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Bin Laden was accused of planning the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. He is the leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group. His actions thrust Afghanistan into the world spotlight. In October 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush sent military troops into the already-struggling country. The troops were to help the Northern Alliance hunt for Osama bin Laden and rid Afghanistan of terrorists. This military initiative was called Operation Enduring Freedom. While bin Laden wasn’t captured, the Taliban lost its grip on Afghanistan. On March 20, 2003, about 1,000 soldiers were sent on an in-depth mission to hunt for any remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists. Through military help and financial support, the U.S. and other countries have also helped Afghanistan rebuild its war-torn land. Afghanistan’s rebuilding will be no small task. Roads will need to be rebuilt and a government developed. Farms will need to be replanted. Land mines left over from war will need to be located and disarmed. Most important are the more than three million refugees and other Afghans who were caught in the crossfire of war. They will need time and help to rebuild their lives.

Afghanistan Today

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TIMELINE

652

Islam is introduced in Afghanistan after an Arab invasion.

1784

The modern state of Afghanistan is established.

1838

British troops invade Afghanistan.

1839–1842 The First Anglo-Afghan war. Britain attacks Afghanistan. 1878–1880 The Second Anglo-Afghan war. Britain fights Afghanistan. 1919

The Third Anglo-Afghan war. Afghanistan attacks British troops in India and gains its independence.

1979

Soviet Union invades Afghanistan.

1984

The United States and Pakistan provide support to the Afghanistan mujahideen to fight the Soviets.

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1988

The Soviet Union begins to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

1989

All Soviet troops leave Afghanistan.

1996

Taliban gains power across Afghanistan.

1998

Taliban controls more than 85 percent of Afghanistan. Mullah Muhammad Omar rules from Kandahar. President Rabbani, though still recognized as the legitimate leader of the country, lives outside of Afghanistan. The country becomes a center of international terrorism and heroin production.

2001

Under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, hijackers attack American targets. The U.S. military bombs targets in Afghanistan when the Taliban refuses to turn over Osama bin Laden. U.S.-led military assaults drive the Taliban from Kabul.

2003

The U.S. government sends 1,000 soldiers into southeast Afghanistan to find al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists on March 20.

Overview of a Struggling Nation

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Afghanistan in rubble

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FA S T FA C T S Area:

250,000 square miles (647,500 square kilometers)– slightly smaller than Texas Border countries:

China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Climate:

Arid to semi-arid; cold winters and hot summers Population: More than 27,000,000 by July 2002 estimates Ethnic groups:

Pashtun 38 percent, Tajik 25 percent, Hazara 19 percent, Uzbek 6 percent, other ethnic groups 12 percent Religions:

Sunni Muslim 84 percent, Shiite Muslim 15 percent, other religions 1 percent Government type:

No functioning central government, administered by factions Capital:

Kabul Economy:

Afghanistan is an extremely poor landlocked country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Afghanistan is the world’s largest illicit opium producer. Military:

The military does not exist on a national basis. Some elements of the former national military still exist, as do tribal militias. (Data from the National Geographic Society 2002 and the CIA World Factbook 2002)

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Jihad propaganda posters, calling for holy war against non-Muslims

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WEB SITES W W W. A B D O P U B . C O M Would you like to learn more about Afghanistan and its struggles? Please visit www.abdopub.com to find up-to-date Web site links about Afghanistan and the World in Conflict. These links are routinely monitored and updated to provide the most current information available.

Centuries of conflict burden the Afghan people.

Web Sites

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G L O S S A RY al-Qaeda: A terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden. Allah: The name for God in Islam. bin Laden, Osama: Saudi millionaire who leads the al-Qaeda terrorist network. Buddha: Founder of the Buddhist religion. burqa: A garment that some Islamic women are required to wear in public. This covers them from head to toe. empire: A number of territories or nations controlled by a single ruler. fundamentalism: A religious movement or point-of-view characterized by strict adherence to certain beliefs and principles, and intolerance of other views or opposition. Hindu Kush: Part of the Himalayan Mountain range located in the northeast part of Afghanistan.

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holy land: An area of land considered sacred by a certain religious group. iftar: Muslims’ evening meal that follows fasting. jihad: “Holy War.” Arabic for striving and struggling to make the word of Allah supreme. Khyber Pass: A narrow passage through the Hindu Kush. Strategic location in Afghanistan where enemies have been fought. Koran: The sacred word of Islam containing the teachings of Allah to Muhammad. Muhammad: The prophet and founder of Islam, the messenger of Allah. mujahideen: “Holy Warriors.” Afghan fighters who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s. Pashtun: The largest ethnic group in Afghanistan; they consider themselves the “true Afghans.” Pashtunwalli: Afghans’ code of conduct; it tells them how to live righteously.

Glossary

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Ramadan: The ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar. Salat: Muslim prayers. Sawm: Muslims’ act of fasting during the month of Ramadan. Shahadat: Muslims’ belief that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is his messenger. Shiite Muslim: These Muslims believe Muhammad chose his own successor. Sunni Muslim: The original Sunni Muslims believed that they should vote for Muhammad successor. Tajiks: The second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Taliban: The Islamic fundamentalist group that rules parts of Afghanistan according to strict Koran interpretation. Zakat: Muslims’ annual giving of money to the poor.

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STRUGGLES

Afghanistan’s struggles reflected in the faces of its people

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INDEX A

I

P

Achaemenid Empire 16

India 12, 16, 17, 19, 22,

Pashtuns 28, 29

23, 25, 38

Afghan wars 22-28

Persian 16, 21

Ahmad Shah 21

Islam 7, 17, 19, 31, 32, 38

S

Alexander the Great 16

J

Safavid Empire 19

Amanullah 25

Jihad 32, 42

Sassian Empire 17

B

K

Shah, Nadir 21, 25

Babur 19

Kabul 12, 22, 27, 35,

Shah, Zahir 25, 26

39, 41

bin Laden, Osama 5, 36, 37, 40 Britain, British 21-25, 38

Sher Ali 23

Khan, Daoud 25, 26

Shiites 29, 33

Khan, Genghis 17-19,

Sikhs 22, 31

29

Buddhism, Buddha 19

Soviet Union 26, 38, 39

Burqa 36

Khyber Pass 12,

Sunni 29, 41

Bush, George W. 37

Koran 7, 31, 35

T

C

Kushan 16

Tajiks 28, 29

Cyrus the Great 16

M

Tamerlane 19, 20, 29

D

Mahmud Shah 17

Timurid Empire 19

Durand Line 23

Mogul Empire 19

Turkmen 29

G

Mohammed, Dost 22,

U

23, 25

Ghazni Empire 17 Ghurids 17, 19

Mongolian 19

Gorbachev, Mikhail 26

Muhammad (Prophet) 31, 32, 33,

Greek 16, 17 H

Mujahedin 26

Habibullah 25

Mullah 35, 39

Hazaras 29

N

Hindu Kush 12, 19, 22

Nuristani 29

48

A F G H A N I S TA N ’ S

STRUGGLES

United States 5, 26, 38-38 Uzbeks 29