1. Hazaras By: Makenzi Kirol

2. Who are the Hazaras? The Hazaras’ are an “Afghan ethnic minority group said to be decedents of Genghis Khan’s army.” They speak Persian and most Hazarans are part of the Shi'a Muslim belief. This causes controversy since most Muslims are Sunni’s. http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryfj/g/ GlosHazara.htm

3. Hazara People

4. Difference between religions Shi’a Muslims believe that unless you are a direct descended from the prophet Muhammad, you should not be allowed to rule the country. Sunni Muslims believe that you don’t have to be a descendent from Muhammad, you need to be able to be a strong leader and rule the country with great intentions. http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_su nni.htm

5. Religions

6. Massacre The Hazaras were targeted by the Taliban after they tried to sweep across Afghanistan trying to take it over. The Hazaras refused to stand down to them. This was a battle of religion, the Hazaras being Shi’a and the Taliban being Sunni’s all looking to be the ruler. At first the Hazaras were winning, but the Taliban did not want this to be their greatest defeat. They came back and starting killing everything in sight without warning, including women, children, donkeys, etc. The streets of Afghanistan were covered in blood and dead bodies and “No one was allowed to bury any of the corpses for the first 6 days.” http://middleeast.about.com/b/2009/05/27/f orgotten-massacre-the-hazara-of- afghanistan.htm

7. “Forgotten Massacre”

8. History The third largest ethnicity group in Afghanistan and facing persecution from the Pushtuns, Tajiks, and other groups. They are discriminated against because they are Shi'a and not Sunni Muslims. The Hazaras are easily distinguished by their Asian traits. Story has it that the Hazaras are descendents of Genghis Khan who invaded what was know as Afghanistan today in the 13 th century.

9. History Hazarans are known for settling deeper in the valleys but with having on going conflicts, it drove them up the rugged mountains. They now “Live in the mountainous central highlands, called Hazarajat, an undeveloped rural area that includes four provinces.” http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/ Hazara_People

10. Hazarajat

11. Politics Hazaras are getting an upper hand on their government after centuries of being “abused and repressed” by their rulers. “With the help of recent parliamentary elections they could win themselves a political voice that could change their fate”. After years of the Pushtuns brutally hurting the Hazarans whenever they were going up against the repression and the Taliban's who kept up with the abuse and were the ones “keeping up with the game” by physically hurting and killing mass amounts of Hazarans are now getting closer and closer to being treated equally and not the odd man out. http://www.hazarapeople.com/2010/11/09/th e-hazaras-of-afghanistan/

12. Works Cited Bulletin, Manila. "The Hazaras of Afghanistan." Hazara People International Network. N.p., 8 Nov. 2010. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.. Huda. "What's the Difference Between Shia and Sunni Muslims?" About.com Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.. Larson, Marisa, and Laura Hazelton. "National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com." National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com. N.p., 17 June 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.. Szczepanski, Kallie. "Who Are The Hazara?" About.com Asian History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.. Tristam, Pierre. "Forgotten Massacre: The Hazara of Afghanistan." About.com Middle East Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012..