Conflict Between the Pashtuns and Hazaras
Hazaras and Pashtuns are two major ethnolinguistic communities living in Afghanistan today. They have an extensive background of conflict, disagreement and discrimination dating back to ancient times. The Pashtuns are one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan with approximately 35 million people, and have lived for centuries between Khurasan and the Indian subcontinent. The Pashtuns are made up of about 60 tribes of varying sizes with each one occupying its own territory. Their complexion and religion is really what makes them distinguishable between Hazaras. Unlike Hazaras, Pashtuns have more of a middle eastern complexion with less Asian features and normally have a lighter skin color. Most Pashtuns follow the Sunni Islamic faith of and believe that they are the descendants of the Afghana, the grandson of King Saul of Israel. Pashtuns have a traditional Pashtun code that they see as more important than their religious beliefs. These traditional customs include hospitality (milmastia) , courage (tureh) , taking revenge (badal) , and protecting one’s honor (ghayrat) [Pashtun].
The Hazaras are…show more content… Overall, Pashtuns are able to do this because the Shias only make up around 10-15% of the total Afghani population and Sunnis make up about 84.7 - 89.7% (Afghanistan Demographics Profile 2016). Therefore, the Pashtuns have the vast majority allowing them to do as they please to the Hazaras. Even though the root of the Pashtun and Hazara conflict is their religious beliefs, they have been separated even further because of economic and political beliefs. Overall the Pashtuns don’t directly discriminate against the race of Hazaras, they basically hate all people who are Shia. Consequently, most Hazaras are Shia, so the Pashtuns discriminate against
