Ulture of Afghanistan - Coursework Example

AFGHANISTAN The 31 million Muslims of Afghanistan mainly speak Dari and Pashto. Their culture values family and family honor. The Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks, main among 70 ethnic groups, practice dissension by living separately and practice ethnic nationalism in their choice of jobs and elections. Afghanistan’s main resources are natural gas, petroleum and minerals. U.S-Afghan relations began in 1934, ceased during Soviet invasion/occupation, and resumed when the Soviets were ejected. The rise of radicalism fuelled 9/11 causing U.S to bomb Al Qaeda positions and rout the Taliban. Afghanistan is totally against terrorism and presently enjoys cordial relations with the U.S while fully helping it in the current endeavor to destroy all remaining terrorists in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan, commonly referred to as the ‘Crossroads of Central Asia’ is mostly barren and land-locked country full of mountains and deserts that has captured world headlines first when the Soviets invaded it, then when Osama Bin-Laden led Al Qaeda orchestrated the deadly 9/11 attacks on U.S territory, then when the U.S bombed Al Qaeda headquarters and routed the Taliban, and finally as the U.S is presently conducting military operations to dislodge Al Qaeda and its satellite organizations. I) People According to the 2006 census, the citizens of Afghanistan, called Afghans, number a little more than 31 million. This figure includes 5 million individuals who have expatriated since the Taliban were ousted from their country, but does not include some 3 million non-resident citizens who live and work in different parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East and Gulf nations. According to the 2008 census, the overall literacy level in the country is 28.1% {43% male and 12% female}, while life expectancy is 44.04 years {male} and 44.39 years {female}, and infant mortality rate is 154.67 deaths for every 1,000 live births (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). II) Language The two main languages of Afghans are Dari or Pashto. Dari, also called Afghan Farsi, is an Afghan version of the Persian language (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). It is the language of about 50% of the people (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html), and is considered as the country’s first language (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). Pashto is spoken by 35% of the people (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html) who occupy the south and east regions. Next in order of widespread use come the Tajik and Turkic languages which are commonly used in north Afghanistan. In addition to these 4 main languages, there are as many as 70 other languages and many dialects spoken by various smaller sections of the Afghan people (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). One of these is the Iranian language which is spoken by the Beluchi tribe (http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html). III) Culture Afghan society is divided into groups based on kinship which observe time-honored customs and religions rites (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). The prominent unit of culture is the family, which is considered sacred and to be highly safeguarded. Male and female roles are defined conventionally in a family. Men are expected to earn the bread or means of livelihood, while women are expected to take care of the children and household chores (Aseel, 2004, 4). A family usually arranges marriages of its children to persons who conform to their expected status of tribe, status and wealth. It is normal for family members to live under the same roof; their sons and wives too join in this arrangement after marriage. Greeting a person is carried out either by a handshake or placing the hand over the heart and nodding lightly. In keeping with strict religious tradition, males and females do not greet each other directly or even look at each other. Males and females only freely mix within their families. Hospitality is considered vital in Afghan culture as it is equate with family honor. Visiting guests are cordially treated and served the best meal available. If it happens to be tea time, guests will be continually plied with snacks and tea until they cover their glass with their hand and say ‘bus’ {meaning ‘enough’} (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html). There is an honor code that affects every facet of an Afghan’s life and is viewed as imperative to character (Aseel, 2004, 35). Honor is strongly identified with a person’s reputation, worth as well as the reputation of his or her family. The head of the family has the greatest responsibility to safeguard the family honor. Honor governs the way women behave, dress, interact socially and go to school. (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html). Women usually wear long, flowing burqas that cover them from head to toe (Aseel, 2004, 12). If the honor of a family member is defiled, other members will search for a way to take revenge {“any insult to honor must be avenged; there is no choice in the matter (Mills, 2007, 32)}. This perceived obligation has led to several problems recently in the country, as one group embarks on a fiercely violent, revengeful action on another, which is then subjected to retaliation by members of the other family in a never-ending circle of violence (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html). Each Afghan ethnic group has its own rites and traditions that are inbuilt into their society. A good example is the Pashtuns. Their cultural traits are displayed in a code of ethics known as ‘Pashtunwali’ {‘the way of the Pashtun’}. It is the basis of Pashtun personal and tribal relationships and which is religiously followed, and includes several unique practices such as ‘badal’ {the right to revenge}, ‘nunawati’ {the right of an escapee to take shelter or accept peace}, ‘melmastya’ {the duty to provide hospitality to guests and safeguard them}, ‘tureh’ {courageousness}, ‘sabats’ {firmness}, ‘imamdari’ {observance of morality}, isteqamat {doggedness}, ‘ghayrat’ {safeguarding honor and property} and ‘mamus’ {safeguarding female relatives} (http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html). IV) Religion Afghanistan is one of the few countries in the world today where 100% of its citizens follow one religion. Islam, one of the great monotheistic religions along with Christianity and Judaism (Aseel, 2004, 77) is that religion. A majority of the Afghans {80%} are followers of the Sunni Muslim sect, who adhere to the Hanafi School of Principles (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). The biggest ethnic tribe, the Pashtuns, belong to the Sunni sect (http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html). Of the remaining, 19% follow the Shia Muslim sect who adhere to the Hazara School of Jurisprudence, while 1% follow other Muslim sects (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). Islamic principles form the foundation of life in all matters ranging from regulating personal conduct to settlement of disagreements and conflicts. (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). Afghans, like other Muslims, pray 5 times a day, abstain from eating pork and drinking wine, observe the weekly holy day on Friday and fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan (http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html). V) Ethnicity The biggest ethnic group is the Pashtuns who comprise 38% of the population. They are reportedly the descendants of King Saul’s grandson named Afghana. They are Caucasians of medium height with strong facial features and colored {blue, green or gray} eyes. Pashtun men are fierce warriors {they composed most of the Afghan forces that ejected the Soviets from the country}. The second largest group is the Tajiks at 25%. They are descendants of the original Persians who lived in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Like the Pashtuns, they too are Caucasians (http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html). The third largest group is the Hazaras at 10%. They are Mongolians who came to Afghanistan during the 13th and 14th centuries. They are mostly nomads. The fourth largest group is the Uzbeks at 6 to 8% (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). They are an Altaic group who work as farmers. The balance is made up of small ethnic groups such as the Turkmen {semi-nomadic people}, Almaq {a Persianized Cental Asian sect}, Farsiwans {farmers}, Beluchi, Nuristani, Qizilbash {well educated people}, and 3 groups – Brahuis, Gujars and Hindus – who came to Afghanistan from India (http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html). VI) Natural Resources The premier natural resource is natural gas which was first discovered in 1967. Production levels peaked during the Soviet occupation in the 1980s with annual sales in the region of $ 300 million or 56% of total exports value. Development in this sector was arrested due to the internal conflicts and interruption of regular trading alliances in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse. Afghanistan is also rich in petroleum. The present government plans to take the help of donor nations and enact a hydrocarbons legislation to streamline forthcoming exploration and expansion of its petroleum and gas fields so that it can start utilizing natural gas to generate electricity. Several international tenders targeted at improving the oil and gas sectors are expected to be floated in 2998 by the Afghan Ministry. Other natural resources found in Afghanistan include copper, coal, gemstones, lead, zinc, sulfur, talc, barites, iron ore and chrome. These natural resources have not been explored or mined due to internal problems in the country. This situation is expected to change this year when the first important international investment project worth more than $ 2.5 billion involving a Chinese firm will start exploiting the Aynak copper deposits located in the east and central regions of the country. The Afghan Ministry of Mines also plans to float an international tender in the iron ore sector in 2009 (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). VII) Relations with the U.S from the Balfour Declaration until now The U.S did not have official relations with Afghanistan during Balfour Declaration in 1917. The two countries first set up diplomatic relations in 1934. The U.S policy of providing assistance to developing nations improved relations between them as it gave Afghanistan around $ 500 million between 1950 and 1979 in the form of loans, grants and goods to improve its transportation, agricultural, educational, industrial and governmental sectors. U.S-Afghan relations took a downturn in 1979. First, U.S Ambassador Adolph Dubs was murdered in Kabul when Afghan security forces attacked his kidnappers in February. This was followed by the Soviet invasion in December, prompting the U.S to break off relations and cut off its assistance to Afghanistan. The U.S was responsible for arming and economically supporting the Taliban to the tune of $ 3 billion to break the Soviet stranglehold on Afghanistan which it ultimately succeeded in doing. But the U.S, which by then did not enjoy good relations with the Taliban mainly because it did not approve of the way it was handling things, did not recognize the regime in 1997 {in fact only 3 countries – Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan - recognized it}. U.S-Taliban relations nosedived in 2001 when Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist outfit Al Qaeda {operating from Afghan soil} perpetrated the horrific September 11, 2001 attacks in U.S territory. The U.S retaliated in October 2001 with military strikes against perceived Taliban targets in Afghanistan (http://www.afghanistanchamber.com/about/FOREIGNRELATIONS.htm). This was followed by an all-out attack code named Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban, totally defeating them by 13 November 2001 (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). The U.S reopened its embassy in Kabul on 17 January 2002 (http://www.afghanistanchamber.com/about/FOREIGNRELATIONS.htm). Since then, it has provided full support and encouragement for the setting up of a popular government that represented all Afghans, as well as supporting and encouraging U.N efforts to create national reconciliation in the country. The U.S has provided a long-term pledge to assist Afghanistan while it rebuilds and restructures itself after 2001. Along with other members of the international community, the U.S supplies resources and expertise in several sectors such as capacity-building, security requirements, counter-narcotic schemes {it is well known that Afghanistan’s poppies are famous in drug culture (Mils, 2007, 27)}, infrastructure programs and humanitarian help. It also remains pledged to assist Afghanistan achieve stability, democracy, economic success as well as protection of human rights, women’s rights and secularism (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). In the current scenario, the U.S in collaboration with the Pakistani and Afghan forces is fighting Islamic terrorists led by Al Qaeda that are holed up in the boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is hoped the joint forces succeed soon, thereby putting an end once and for all to Al Qaeda and with it the reign of terror that has undoubtedly been the greatest threat to world peace. VIII) Ethnic Dissension The ethnic divisions of Afghanistan have always fuelled ethnic dissension between the people. This has been the primary season why each ethnic group has chosen to live and thrive in separate areas that are dissociated from other ethnic groups. The Pastuns live in the South and East regions of the country (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). Tajiks are concentrated in the region from North Afghanistan to the Hindu Kush mountain range. Beluchis live in Southwest Afghanistan, Nuristanis live in East Afghanistan, Farsiwans live close to the Afghan border with Iran, and the 3 groups of Indian origin {Brahuis, Gujars and Hindus} live as close as possible to the Afghan border with India (Khan http://myscribbles.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/the-ethnic-face-of-afghanistan/). A large part of the dissension was caused by infighting between ethnic groups, for example, the Hazaras, who mostly live in South Afghanistan, brutalized the Pashtuns living there to avenge past crimes (Aseel, 2004, 62). IX) Rise of Ethnic Nationalism In recent years, the total political scene in Afghanistan is controlled by 3 parties that come from the 3 biggest ethnic groups. One of the reasons for the rise of ethnic nationalism has been fuelled by the tendency of ethnic groups to concentrate on certain jobs. For example, 85% of ANA soldiers are Pashtuns. The second reason is the practice of Afghans to vote {in parliamentary and presidential elections} for candidates who are from their ethnic group. This trait is making the government lose millions of dollars as elected representatives of Ministries, in the words of Anwar-ul-Haq, Afghan Minister of Taxation, “lack the insight and ability required to draft acceptable development projects” (Khan http://myscribbles.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/the-ethnic-face-of-afghanistan/). X) Rise of Islamic Radicalism Islamic radicalism is characterized by the presence of fundamentalism {a call for the return of followers of Islam to the religion’s true tenets} and jihad {holy war} against the enemies of Islam. The Pakistani military Inter-Services-Intelligence {ISI} collaborated with the majority Sunni population of Afghanistan by supporting it from the end of the 1970s and utilizing them as an instrument of regional policy, teaching them radical Islam {they were taught by several prominent leaders such as Sheikh Abdul Majeed Zindani (McDermott, 2005, 42)} while viewing their activities leniently. The rise of Islamic Radicalism was one of the greatest fears of the Soviet regime in Afghanistan (Mills, 2007, 48). The ISI was so involved that Peshawar in Pakistan became the capital of the Afghan resistance (McDermott, 2005, 96). In addition, the ISI and Saudi Intelligence attracted thousands of Islamic volunteers {the largest number were Saudis (McDermott, 2005, 225)} from Middle East nations who were routed through Istanbul and Ankara to Pakistan and then Afghanistan (McDermott, 2005, 73). This Middle Eastern addition comprising veteran fighters who had fought in areas like Kosovo and Chechnya (McDermott, 2005, 65) gave rise to Islamic radicalism when the Al Qaeda Movement led by Osama Bin Laden was spawned in 1990. It began training activists in Arab camps in Afghanistan (McDermott, 2005, 72) and dispatching them to western nations to carry out terrorist activities. The highlight of Al Qaeda’s activities was the horrific 9/11 attacks on the U.S which was followed by the U.S destruction of most of their headquarters and network in Afghanistan a year later (Roy www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/3c6a3f7d2.pdf). XI) Current Status After the Taliban was routed on 13 November 2001, the Afghan Interim Authority was formed, followed by the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan {TISA} as preliminaries to a permanent government. The country held its first ever Presidential elections on 9 October 2004 wherein about 8 million citizens {41% of them female} cast their votes. Hamid Karzai was elected as Afghanistan’s first president and officially began a 5 year term on 7 December 2004. That same day, the name of Afghanistan was changed to Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This was followed by parliamentary elections in 2005 when 53% of 12.5 million eligible voters elected the National Assembly’s ‘Meshrano Jirga’ {upper house} and ‘Wolesi Jirga’ {lower house} on 19 December that year. The next set of elections as due to be held in 2009-2010 (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). At present, internal security is under the control of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force {ISAF}, which has been in operation since October 2006. Since November 2008, a well-trained Afghan National Army {ANA} comprising 70,000 soldiers and an Afghan civilian and border police force numbering 76,000 persons is in place. By September 2008 the number of the ANA had grown to 134,000. President Hamid Karzai who firmly believes in and practices impartial administration (Mills, 2007, 84), is assisted by two Vice-Presidents {Ahmad Zia Masood and Abdul Karim Kalili}. Among the cabinet ministers, the 3 main ones are Rangin Dadfar Spanta {Minister of Foreign Affairs}, Haneef Atmar {Minister of Interior} and General Abdul Raheem Wardak {Minister of Defense} (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm). XII) Relations with Israel While admitting that Israel and Afghanistan have never enjoyed a normal relationship, Karzai clearly stated during a secret meeting between Israeli and Afghan diplomats in London during February 2006 that as soon as the Palestinian State is recognized, Afghanistan would have no hesitation in recognizing the State of Israel and immediately begin to establish diplomatic and trade relations with it. Karzai went on to praise Israel for its Gaza Strip withdrawal and hoped the expected conclusion {establishment of a Palestinian State} would occur as soon as possible because it would only benefit peoples of both countries and enable them to develop their relations and interactions on worldwide basis (http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Diplomacy/7746.htm). XIII) Support for Palestinians Unlike other Muslim countries such as Syria, Afghanistan has not interfered in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by helping the Palestinians with fighters or material. It has followed the steps of a majority of Muslim countries by verbally supporting the Palestinians. This was evident during the secret meeting between Israeli and Afghan diplomats in February 2006 when Karzai gave a clear message to the Israelis as well as the rest of the world that Afghanistan wants the Palestinian State to be founded and recognized as early as possible (http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Diplomacy/7746.htm). XIV) Support for terrorism While the abhorrence of Karzai to terrorism is evident from the way he constantly sought the companionship of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of non-violence (Mills, 2007, 38), Afghanistan and he continue to display their antipathy currently towards terrorism by giving all help and support to the U.S as they attack the remnants of Al Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups that are holed up in the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan’s totally cooperative stance is certainly not appreciated by other Muslim countries {whether they say so or not}. In fact, while the newly elected government of Pakistan gives help to the U.S forces to attack the terrorists, they do so furtively, clearly fearing a backlash from their mostly anti-American population. In addition to Afghanistan’s transparent help to the U.S in the ongoing fight against terrorism, Karzai’s statement about Israel in February 2006 is significant when viewed from another angle. Afghanistan’s neighbor Iran is presently engaged in a long-standing standoff with the U.S and other prominent members of the international community on the issue of nuclear proliferation. Iran has sought to strengthen its defiant stance by widely maligning Israel {well knowing that Israel enjoys preferential relations with the U.S}, even going to the extent of stating that the holocaust was nothing but a figment of the imagination, and that Israel does not have the right to exist. In the current context, the U.S and most of the world views Iran as the country that could either directly or support the perpetration of terrorist activities to either support or enhance its stance. It could also come to pass that the U.S and Israel engage in a war with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. If that happens, Afghanistan will surely be used as a base for joint U.S/Israeli attacks against Iran. President Karzai’s outspoken declaration in support of Israel is therefore an eloquent sign of his country and his abhorrence of terrorism. References used: Afghanistan – Language, Culture, Customs & Etiquette. (N/d). Retrieved November 6, 2008, from Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solution Web Site: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/afghanistan.html Aseel, M.Q. (Oct. 2004). Torn Between Two Cultures: An Afghan-American Woman. USA: Capitol Books. Background Note: Afghanistan. (2008). Retrieved November 6, 2008, from U.S Department of State Web Site: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm Foreign Relations of Afghanistan. (N/d). Retrieved Nov ember 6, 2008, from Afghan Chamber of Commerce Web Site: http://www.afghanistanchamber.com/about/FOREIGNRELATIONS.htm Khan, I. (2006). The Ethnic Face of Afghanistan. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from Myscribbes.com Web Site: http://myscribbles.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/the-ethnic-face-of-afghanistan/ McDermott, T. (Aug. 2006). Perfect Soldiers: The 9/11 Hijackers – Who They Were, Why They Did It. USA: Harper. Mills, N.B. (Aug. 2007). Karzai: The Failing American Intervention & The Struggle for Afghanistan. USA: Wiley. The People. (2002) Retrieved November 6, 2008, from Cultural Orientation Web Site: http://www.cal.org/co/afghan/apeop.html Roy, O. (2002). Islamic Radicalism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from UNHCR Web Site: www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/3c6a3f7d2.pdf Secret High-level Contacts between Israel, Afghanistan in London. (2006). Retrieved November 6, 2008, from Associated Press Web Site: http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Diplomacy/7746.htm Read More