Important Vocabulary

Hazara:- term for the Hazara people, an ethnic minority- have a long history of persecutions

INS: Immigration and Naturalization Service- federal agency operated under the United States Department of

Justice- has the responsibility of overseeing the immigration of all

foreign-born individuals into the United States, both adults or children

Mazar-i-Sharif:- large city in Afghanistan famous for its Blue Mosque- the Taliban massacred the Hazara population there in 1998

Mujahedin:- guerilla (freedom fighter) fighters in Islamic countries, especially

those who are fighting against non-Muslim forces.

Pashtun:- an ethnic group forming a majority in Afghanistan and

surrounding areas.- Adherence to Sunni Islam/Pashtunwali: ancient code of tradition

Shi-a Islam:- the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith- believe the teaching of Muhammad wre carried through his

descendants and do not accept the head of stateShorawi:

- The fFarsi term for he Soviets, who invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and occupied the country for a decade.

Sunni Islam: - largest denomination of Islam- accepts the head of Muslim state as a successor to Muhammad

(prophet sent by God)Wzir Akbar Khan:’- The neighbourhood in Kabul where Amir and Hassan grew up.