Hazaras

The Hazaras are a Central Asian Persian-speaking ethnic group native to Afghanistan, forming one of the country’s largest minority populations. They are largely concentrated in Hazarajat, a highland region in central Afghanistan, with communities in Pakistan (notably in Quetta and Karachi) and Iran as part of migrant and refugee populations. They speak Hazaragi, a dialect of Dari Persian, and share cultural traditions distinct from other Afghan groups. Most Hazaras are Twelver Shia Muslims, although a minority adheres to Sunni Islam and other branches.

Historically, Hazara origins are debated. Many historians describe Hazara as descendants of Mongol and Turkic soldiers who settled in the central highlands in the medieval period, mixing with local Persian-speaking populations to form a distinct community with its own language, customs, and social structures.

In the late 19th century, Hazara communities suffered mass killings and displacement as Afghanistan’s central authorities consolidated control under Emir Abdul Rahman Khan. During Taliban rule in the 1990s and after, Hazara populations endured severe repression and targeted violence. Since 2001, Hazara participation in Afghanistan’s new political system and civil society has grown, with increased representation in government and public life, though security challenges and discrimination persist.

In diaspora communities, Hazara culture preserves music, crafts, and rituals tied to their central Afghan homeland, while language and religious identity remain central to social life. The Hazara continue to face discrimination and violence in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, even as many contribute to education, media, and humanitarian work.