Because of the Hazaras’ physical, cultural, and language features, many believe they are of Mongolian descent. They were first mentioned as a people in the late 1500’s, and their unwritten language, Hazaragi, is a dialect of Persian.
Besides the 1,770,000 Hazaras of Afghanistan, there are major populations in western Pakistan and Iran as well as groups living in North America and Europe. Because the Hazaras are of the minority Shi’ite Islam sect, they have long suffered oppression, persecution, and even ethnic cleansing. This began with the Pashtuns in the mid 1800’s and continues to the present. They were targeted by the Taliban in 1998, and today’s Christian converts may face torture or death.
Strong, brave, and determined, they are also peaceful, enjoying their own poetry, music, and storytelling. The physical drought and disease they suffer mirrors the spiritual state of the Hazaras, and there are no Scriptures to tell them of the Water of Life.
Spring 2008