Afghanistan TodayBy Umais Rao, Lee Moore, Jake Luikart

Practiced Religions Islam - 99%

Sunni - 90% Shi'tes - 9%

Other Minorities - 1% Christianity Buddhism Hindism Sikhism Zoroastrians

Islamic Influence Afghanis devote themselves to religion Unifying symbol Regulates daily life Religious credential hold a great deal of

value

Islamic Clothing Varies by each province Men generally wear turban or a pakol

along with loose clothes. Women cover their head using a hijab,

burka, or abaya. More prominent in rural areas Large cities are more westernized

Mosques Muslim place of worship Found in every village, town,

neighborhood. Supervised by Mullahs Also a place for communal gatherings Islamic education Funded by the community different for Sunnis and Shi'a muslims

Mullah Incharge of mosques Appointed by the goverment Respected in society Religious education people come to them for advice

Taliban Muslim fundamentalist group Strict anti- modern ideology Pan-islamism

Political movement advocating the unity of muslims under one islamic state

Jihad means to struggle taliban's interpretation is "Struggle against non-

muslims" In order to reach a Pan-Islamic state, the taliban

declared jihad on all non-muslims.

Family Life in Afghanistan Watash is a word meaning referring to a

band of brothers or a family. Family, friends, and honor are major parts of Afghan life.

Family Life, Cont. Family bonds and honor are sacred Respect is largely based on age for both

sexes. Mast and nan are traditional foods. Men’s clothing traditionally consists of a

buttoned shirt and loose-fitting pants with a skullcap or a turban

Women’s clothing consists of a burqa- a fabric covering every part of one’s body.

Role of Women in Afghanistan Afghan life is centered around the patriarchy. While women can hold a position of power in their

family, they have little power in the government. Fawzia Koofi is the most prominent figure in Afghan

government, acting as the Vice President of the National Assembly.

Noorzia Atmar also worked in the government, but was forced to leave the country in 2014.

Both women are constantly bombarded with death threats by the Taliban and other

extremist groups.

Role of Women in Afghanistan While a large part of the Afghan government is trying to

make life for women better, corrupt and biased politicians are slowing their efforts.

As of now in Afghanistan, a woman can be imprisoned if*: She is accused of engaging in intercourse with someone other

than her husband (even if it was nonconsensual) She engages in intercourse before being married Violating the unspoken norms of society Running away from their husband, even if the relationship could

be categorized as abusive This year, a law passed in Afghanistan stating that what

happens in a house is the family’s business, not the governments. This law is an unspoken way of permitting domestic violence.

*cases of all of these events have been documented, but are not necessarily law.

Education in Afghanistan Public education for all was common in the 1960s

and 1970s, but in 1996 (when the Taliban took over), women were no longer able to attend public school.

Men were allowed to attend school and college throughout this entire period.

Now, integrated schools are being built throughout Afghanistan.

Taliban threats continue to this day against females who attend school and schools that allow females to learn.

Politics of Afghanistan

Key Political Events 2001 – US and other NATO allies invade

Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 world trade center attacks. They successfully force the Taliban out of power.

2001 – The Bonn Agreement establishes an Afghan Intern Authority to be led by Hamid Karzai.

2002- Bonn Agreement expires calling for an Emergency Loya Jirga or “Grand Council” which establishes Karzai as interim President of the Afghan Transitional Authority.

2004 – Constitution drafted by a commission appointed by Karzai is approved by the Loya Jirga.

Government Structure Executive Branch – Strongest branch composed

of one president and two vice-presidents Legislative Branch – made up of two houses

Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) – 249 members Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders) – 102 members

Judicial Branch – Composed of The Supreme Court as the highest level of judicial authority with lower courts underneath.

Key Political Events cont. 2004 – Hamid Karzai is declared winner of the

presidential election. 2005- First Parliamentary elections occur in the

past 30 years. Women win 28% of the seats. 2009 – Karzai wins a second term, but the

election faced low voter turnout and corruption.

2014 – Preliminary results show Abdullah Abdullah in the lead to become the next president.

Current Situation in Afghanistan

US in Afghanistan

Forces Working Towards Peace The international community and many

Afghans do not want to see a repeat of the 90s.

The US is more stable than the Soviet Union was and is more likely to continue supporting the Afghan Government.

Stability in the area is good for everyone.

Discussion What will the future hold for

Afghanistan?

Trivia

What does Watash mean? Watash means a brotherhood like bond

between family members.

Name one thing that Afghan men wear today. Men’s clothing traditionally consists of a

buttoned shirt and loose-fitting pants with a skullcap or a turban

Name one of the two female politicians mentioned in this presentation.

Fawzia Koofi and Noorzia Atmar

When were females no longer permitted to learn in a school? When the Taliban took over in 1996

Who was the first elected president of Afghanistan after the Taliban were removed from power? Hamid Karzai

What years have the presidential elections taken place after the Taliban was removed from power? 2004, 2009, 2014

What is the traditional name of the Grand Council? Loya Jirga

Who won the preliminary results of the 2014 presidential election? Abdullah Abdullah

Name three minority religions in Afghanistan. Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism,

Sikhism, Zoroastrianism.

How are mosques used other than for worship? Community and social gatherings,

Islamic education.

What roles do Mullahs play in society? In charge of running Mosques Religious education Source of advice and comfort to those

who practice Islam.

What is Pan-Islamism? Pan-Islamism

Political movement advocating the unity of muslims under one Islamic state

What does Jihad mean? Literal meaning- “to struggle” The Taliban’s interpretation is “struggle

against non-muslims.