Late Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari’s Death Anniversary:

On March 25, 2023, Bamyan Foundation collaborated with Hazara-American community leaders to commemorate the death anniversary of the late Hazara leader, Abdul Ali Mazari, who was killed by the Taliban in 1995.  

Mazari is credited for uniting the Hazaras during the chaotic years following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1988. Under his leadership, Hazaras - who were relegated to third-class citizens due to severe discrimination by successive Pashtun regimes since the abolishment of Hazara slavery in the 1920s - rallied to demand equal rights, participation in the governance and other decision making mechanisms of the country. He instilled hope and confidence in Hazaras to stand against the injustice and endemic racism prevalent in Afghan society. He was among the first who proposed a federal system of governance for Afghanistan that is home to a mosaic of different racial and religious groups.

Every year in March, Hazaras across the world, celebrate his legacy by organizing cultural events. This year on Mazari’s 28th death anniversary, Hazaras in the Washington DC region organized the event, “Mazari and Women’s Rights”, that was attended by scores of men and women from the diaspora and recent evacuees.

The speakers included researchers Caludio Concas from Italy, Se Hoon Kim from South Korea and Hazara-American leaders Akram Gizabi and Zahra Yagana. They shed light about Mazari’s quest for social justice, and his efforts towards gender equality and empowering women in Afghanistan. According to the speakers, Mazari advocated for women’s rights and inclusion in leadership positions at a time when this crucial issue was ignored by his contemporaries.

Afghanistan is going through one of its most difficult periods in history, particularly, the Hazaras who are stigmatized due to race, religion and their support for the US-led intervention. Hazara women are at a higher risk due to said reasons. The Hazara-American community makes every effort to highlight this dire issue, and Bamyan Foundation will support their efforts to this end.