Afghanistan: People, Places, and Politics

Regional Map Afghanistan is a landlocked country Rugged mountains, desert- like plains; common for natural disasters such as earthquakes and severe drought. Temperatures are extreme: as hot as 120° F in summer as cold as -15° F in winter Limited natural fresh water sources; most of the land is unsuitable for growing food, making farming difficult.

Capital: Kabul Area: 251,825 square miles; slightly smaller than Texas Population: 31.6 million (2014 est.)  80% Sunni Muslim  19% Shia Muslim Main ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek Official languages: Pashto, Dari (+ many other dialects) Average Yearly Earnings:  $300 - $660 (2014 est.) Primary Industry: Over 80% employed in agriculture (farming, sheep or goatherding) Covered by an estimated 5-7 million landmines Map and Important Data

Ethnic Groups Map

Terrain and Physical Features

The People Some of the poorest in the world Members of many different ethnic groups (tribes) Life is difficult for most Afghans, especially women and children Faced drought, famine, and war for many years

Religion Islam is the world’s second largest religion, with 21% of all people worldwide practicing this faith. Islam teaches that one can only find peace in life by submitting to Allah (Almighty God) in heart, soul, and deed. The Quran is the holy guide/text to Islam. Major aspects of the Islamic religion include testimony of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage. “Covering” is a religious duty. Women can only have their faces and hands showing in public. Men must not expose anything from navel to knee. Sunni and Shia are the two most common forms of Islam with different beliefs in some of the specific beliefs of the religion.

Political History In 1979, the Soviet Union invades and eventually controls Afghanistan. In 1989, Afghanistan and the Soviet Union sign a peace agreement. In 1995, the Taliban, promising traditional Islamic values comes into power, imposing strict Islamic law (Sharia). In 2001, American troops force the Taliban from power. In 2004, Hamid Karzai becomes the first elected Afghan president.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Resistance in the Countryside Mujahideen (resistance fighters), saw Christian or atheist Soviets as defilement of Islam Proclaimed a jihad (holy war) - gained support of the Islamic world Employed guerrilla tactics with weapons they could grab from the Soviets or given by the United States

The Rise of the Taliban The Taliban (literally "the Seekers“) were graduates of Pakistani religious colleges The Taliban promised to bring peace and enforce Sharia (Islamic law) Captured one province at a time, starting in 1994 In 1998, controlled 90% of Afghanistan Taliban Leader Mullah Mohammad Omar (died 2013)

Taliban Restrictions on Women The windows of women's houses were ordered to be painted black and women were forced to wear the burqa Prohibited women and girls from being examined by male physicians while at the same time prohibited female doctors and nurses from working Women are banished from the work force Schools were closed to girls and women and women were expelled from universities Women are prohibited from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative

Sharia Law Sharia law is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Basis for this law comes from the Qu’ran and the teachings of the prophet Mohammed. The Taliban enforced one of the strictest interpretations of Sharia law ever seen in the Muslim world. Other Muslim leaders were critical of the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia, especially in their brutal treatment of women.

Consequences of Taliban Laws

American foreign policy towards, and American actions in, the Muslim world U.S. support for Israel in its ongoing theft and occupation of Arab land (Palestine) US. support for corrupt and repressive regimes in the Muslim world (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states). Post-9/11, the U.S. has added to an already long list of Muslim grievances by occupying Afghanistan and Iraq. WHY ATTACK AMERICA?