The Kite Runner Background Information: Geography, Ethnicity, Religion

Afghanistan: Where is it?

Basic Afghanistan Timeline 300s  Afghanistan is a trading center along the Silk Roads that connect China in the East with the Mediterranean in the West

500s  The giant Bamiyan Buddha statues were built, later to be destroyed by the Taliban

700s  Afghanistan is conquered by Muslims from Arabia 1300s  Afghanistan is conquered and made a part of Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire 1700s  Afghanistan begins to form as an independent nation, after freeing itself from rule by Persia 1800s  Afghans win several wars against Russians and British trying to imperialize the area

1960s  Afghanistan influenced by USSR during the Cold War  Communists overthrow the King 1979  Soviet Union invades to keep Communists in power 1980s  Mujahedeen (Islamic militants) fight off Soviet power with the help of the USA 1990s  Taliban (extreme Islamic militants) take over Afghanistan’s government and horribly oppress the people 2001  USA invades to kick out the Taliban – we feared they were helping Bin Laden to hide …instability still exists today

The Five Pillars of Islam

1. The Shahada 1 1  The declaration of faith: There is no god except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger. There is no god except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger.

2. The Salat 2 2  Prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed  Wash before praying.  Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat (continued) 2 2  The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret.  Pray in the mosque on Friday.

3. The Zakat 3 3  Almsgiving (charitable donations).  About 2.5% of your wealth.

4. The Sawm 4 4  Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.  No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj 5 5  The pilgrimage to Mecca.  Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.  2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

PilPil Pilgrims On The Road to And Camped Outside of Mecca