Getting To Know Afghanistan“The Heart Of Asia”

PRISCILLA PARTAW PARTAW MEANS “LIGHT” IN FARSI

KingsFORMATION OF AFGHANISTAN & HISTORY OF KINGS

King Ahmad Shah Durrani

Afghanistan was part of the Persian Empire Until 1747 When Ahmad Shah Took Power

He United Tribes to Form Modern Afghanistan He Reigned From 1747-1772

"Babae melat " – Father of the Nation

King Zahir Shah

Last King of Afghanistan Overthrown by a Military Coup Daud Khan,

Zahir Shah’s cousin Became the 1st President In 1973

President Daud Khan Is Overthrown Soviet Union Then Invades Overthrown in 1978

Bloody Military Coup Communist Party of Afghanistan Supported by Soviet Union

Soviet Union Invaded Afghanistan The Mujahidin Expelled the Soviet Union

In 1988 Mujahidin “Freedom Fighters” Massoud was the Leader of Mujahidin

After Mujahidin Victory

Civil War Began Amongst Mujahidin Over Power

Taliban Began to Form The Wrong Group (Taliban) Was Supported On 9-9-2001 Massoud Was Assassinated Then 9-11-2001, Tragic Events In US History War Against Terror

Present Day PoliticsPOLITICS & SOCIETAL IMPROVEMENTS

Government of Afghanistan

Democratic Government Constitution Established in 2003 &

Last Ratified in 2004 Checks & BalancesI. Executive

President Two Vice Presidents Cabinet

II. Judicial Supreme Court- Combination of Civil, Customary &

Islamic (Sharia) Law

III. Legislative National Assembly

Bicameral Legislative Body House of Elders House of The People

Laws Are Passed By National Assembly & The President

Council of Ministries, such as…. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Public Health Ministry of Women The Supreme Court

("The world factbook,," 2013)

President President Hamid Karzi, Previous President of Afghanistan Presidential Election in 2014 was seen as vital to Afghanistan’s

stability (Rosenburg, 2013)

Current President, Dr. Ashraf Ghani Academic professor in the US, turned politician Previously the Finance Minister of Afghanistan

Current Chief Executive, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah In charge of the cabinet, equivalent to Prime Minister

Former freedom fighter

Societal Improvements Economy

Significant Improvement, Increases Yearly Agriculture Service Sector

However, Still Depends Greatly On Foreign Aid International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

Established By United Nation Security Council Strengthened and Developed Afghan Nation Army & Police

Women In the Government There Is 28% Female Parliamentary Representation Making Afghanistan Leader In Female Representation

Sports Won The South Asian Football Federation Championship ("Afghans shock india," 2013)

National Cricket Team Qualified for the 2015 World Cup ("ICC cricket world," 2013)

CultureFOOD, RELIGION, SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS

Ethnic Groups,Religion,& Language

There are 4 Major Ethnic Groups Hazaras Tajiks Pashtuns UzbeksLanguages Spoken Dari (Farsi/Persian) PashtoReligion Islamic (99%)

Sunni (80%) Shia (19%) Other (1%)

Women

FoodSIGNIFICANCE IN SOCIETY

Food Silk Route

Not Spicy, But Various Spices Are Used In Cooking Mixture Of Indian, Asian, & Middle Eastern Cuisine

Hospitality Unexpected Guest Are Welcome

Women Cook Men Socialize With Guest Over Tea

Floor Dinning Carpeted Dinning Area With Cushions

Popular Food Items Kabuli Palou Dogh- Yogurt Drink Milk Is Used In A Lot Of The Sweets Nuts & Raisins Are Left Out For Snacking

Geography & SitesLAND, BLUE MOSQUE, BAMIYAN BUDDHAS

Geographical FactsPROVINCES & LAND REASOURCES

Geography Capital City Is Kabul The Country Is Land Locked

Kabul River Few Lakes

Mountains Extends From Northeast to Southwest Cold Climate Hindu Kush

Northern Plains Natural Gas

Central Highlands Southwestern Plateau

Salt Flats Hotter Climate

Natural Resources

Places to VisitBAYIMAN & BLUE MOSQUE

Blue Mosque

Tomb of Ali (Muhammad’s Cousin) Built in the 12th Century

Destroyed By Moguls (Gengis Khan) During 13th Century Has Since Been Rebuilt

Located in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan Requires Upkeep

Artisans Carefully Craft Replacement Tiles White Doves Are Found Here

Buddha’s Of Bayiman Buddhist Archaeological Site

Afghan People Were Once Buddhist Buddhist Temples Were Found Here Buddhist Statues

Largest Buddha Statues In the World Destroyed By The Taliban, in March 2001 In 2010 Reconstruction Was Completed

Afghan Government Promise to Preserve

Bayiman, Afghanistan Bayiman- “The Place of Shining Light”

Home To Hazaras Lakes of Band-e-Amir  Mountain Slope Things to Do

See The History Horseback Riding Mountain Biking Perfect for Skiing