Background Information of The Kite Runner
UN Efforts in Afghanistan
Although the UN is aiming to help, Afghanistan many are being attacked.
October 28, 2004, members were kidnapped and not returned until November 23.
A staff member was murdered.
November 2003, bomb exploded outside of UN offices.
The International Security Assistance Force
to help curb the illegal Opium growing
55,100 troops
to secure Kabul + surrounding areas from Taliban
4 main stages all over Afghanistan
established on December 2001
setting up democratic elections + immunization + education
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
18 regional + provincial offices across Afghanistan
headquarters in Kabul
to support the Government to improve security + governance + economic development
created on March 28, 2002
Afghanistan joined the UN in 1946.
Human Rights Abuses
Common Human Rights Abuses in Afghanistan
Limits on freedom of movement; Citizens are not allowed to leave the country at will.
Homosexuality is a capital crime.
Islam is official religion. All law and governance must comparatible with Islamic morality.
Government takes freedom of media.
Prisoners endure torture, humiliating punishments and inhumane treatment. There has been many unfair trials in criminal affairs.
Children are abused; rights are stripped; used as as child labours and child soldiers.
Women are kidnapped for trafficking and sex and labour.
Afghanistan has been named the most dangerous country in the world due to poor health care and education, poverty and high levels of violence.
Universal Human Rights
Everyone has the right of freedom of expression and beliefs.
Everyone has the right to freedom of the press.
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate to the health of oneself. This includes family, foods=, clothing, housing, medical/social services, education.
No one shall be subjected to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment/punishment.
Slavery and the slave trade is prohibied in all forms.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security.
Mass Graves
2001, Afghanistan Mass Graves
7,500 bodies were dumped/buried in mass grave in desert.
Many suffocated, starved to death or shot.
They were loaded into shipping containers on way to Sheberghan prison.
8,000 Taliban fighters were surrendered to the Northern Alliance.
targets are specific religious + ethnic + racial groups
possibly victims of uncontrolled law executions, not having died in combat
buried quickly for sanitaiton reasons
created after large number of people die/are killed
due to a crisis that causes mass graves, propler burial and identification is not possible
a grave containing multiple number of human corpses, which may or may not be identified prior to burial
Khaled Hosseini
currently, as a goodwill envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency
the humanitarian themes in his novels are mirrored by his real-life endeavors and accomplishments
2007, A Thousand Splendid Suns was published
2003, The Kite Runner was published + instant success
this relationship became the basis of The Kite Runner's central characters
used to teach his servant in Iran how to read and write
2001, began his first novel, The Kite Runner
1996, became a physician
1980, received political asylum in the US
1965, born in Kabul, Afghanistan
Immigration Process to the U.S.
Refugee
either from repressive regimes or natural disaster
Asylum
those who are persecuted due to race, religion or beliefs
Diversity Lottery Program
countries with low rates of emigration to the US
Immigrant Investor Process
invest either giant sums of money in companies in the country or to create new companies in rural or economically dpressed area
Employer Sponsored
certain skilled workers to come to the US by virtue of their abilities alone
Immediate Relative and Family Sponsored
sponsor--American--'s spouser, children, parent or sibling
Taliban of Afghanistan
was forcibly removed from power by the U.S. + its allies after the September 11, 2001, attacks
provided support for the al Qaeda terrorists
fundamentalist Muslim movent whose militia took control of much of Afghanistan from early 1995, and in 1996 took Kabul and set up a radical Islamic state
Russian Invasion of Afghanistan
1989, Russians were gone.
1988, Soviet Union resigned and called the end of the war.
1982, UN General Assembly called for withdrawal of Forces.
1982, Mujahideen controlled 75% of Afghanistan.
Many Afghan soldiers retreated dto Mujahideen and Kamal government needed 85000 Russian soldiers to stay in power.
December 27, 1979, Amin(the Prime Minister) was replaced by Babrakkamal.
Christmas 1979, Russian paratroopers landed in Kabul to support a legitimate government and quell Mujahideen.
Ethnic Groups of Afghanistan
Hazaras
reside in Central Afghanistan where mostly barren dry mountains
10% of population
speak Farsi
famers + shepards
Pashtuns
reside in North to South along the border
40% of population
speak Pashto
largest + most powerful
Religion in Afghanistan
Clothing for Women
One should not dress in order to gain the admiration sympathy of others.
thick enough to cover colour of skin
loose enough to hide shape of the body
cover everything including face and hands
wear just head covering
cover everything except hands
not all muslims were Hijabb whether they are Sunni or Shia
Common 5 Pilgrims
pilgramage to Hajj
giving to the poor
El-Shahada
fasting during Ramadan
praying 5 times a day
Shia Muslims (14%)
believe that the leadership should be inherited
Sunni Muslims (85%)
believe that the religious leader should be elected
Culture of Afghanistan
known for oriental handmade rugs
war + conflict + destroyed + banned all entertainment
Marriage
traditions + rituals of the ancient culture
at age 16 for girls
Music
instruments
Tobla (drum)
Robab (6 stringed)
Harmonium (piano)
folk songs + balsads
Language
Persian + Pashto are main languages
Dance
The Attan
Clothing
women
long dress + trouser + burqua + black shoes + head scarf
men
coats + hats + real fur + embroidery + "Kamiz Shalwar"
cotton + wool
Games
Buzkashi
goat killing
Kites
art form
outdoor sport
common hobby for more than 100 years
Food
Afghani Kebab
Aqbeli Palau
rice + chopped and fried carrots + raisins
Afghanistan's Climate and Geography
Climate
snows everywhere but South Afghanistan
South is hotter than North
dryness + great ranges in temperature
Water
rivers never reach the sea
river rise in the mountains, yet mostly limited amounts of water
Land
mainly lugged mountains + barrenplateaus + swept desearts
very dry
