Hazara In Iran: Unveiling A Community's Journey & Challenges
The Hazara people in Iran represent a community whose story is deeply intertwined with a history of displacement, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of belonging. Often referred to as Khāwari in Iran, their presence in the Islamic Republic is a testament to decades of conflict and persecution in their ancestral homeland of Afghanistan, particularly in the mountainous region known as Hazārajāt. Despite sharing significant cultural and religious commonalities with Iranians, including their predominantly Shia Muslim faith and the shared Persian language (albeit with different dialects), the journey of Hazara refugees and residents in Iran has been anything but straightforward, marked by unique challenges and a complex relationship with the state.
This article delves into the multifaceted experiences of the Hazara community within Iran, exploring their historical roots, the catalysts behind their mass migration, and the daily realities they face. From navigating systemic discrimination and limited access to essential services to their unexpected role in regional conflicts, the narrative of the Hazara in Iran is a poignant reflection of a people striving for dignity and a stable future amidst geopolitical complexities. Understanding their plight is crucial for grasping the broader humanitarian landscape of the region and the enduring impact of protracted conflicts on vulnerable populations.
Table of Contents
- The Hazara Identity: Roots and Resilience
- A Forced Exodus: Hazara Migration to Iran
- Life in Limbo: Challenges Faced by Hazara in Iran
- Beyond Borders: The Hazara Diaspora and Global Presence
- A Complex Relationship: Hazara and the Iranian State
- Echoes of the Past: Historical Persecution and Genocide
- Advocacy and Hope: Seeking Justice and Recognition
- The Future of Hazara in Iran: Navigating Uncertainty
The Hazara Identity: Roots and Resilience
The Hazara are a distinct ethnolinguistic group, primarily originating from the mountainous heartland of central Afghanistan, a region historically known as Hazārajāt. Their identity is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of history, cultural traditions, and a unique linguistic heritage. While their exact origins are debated, many theories point to a mixed Turkic and Mongol ancestry, reflected in their distinct physical features and the structure of their language. The majority of Hazara are Shia Muslims, a significant religious minority within Afghanistan, which is predominantly Sunni. This religious affiliation, however, forms a crucial link with Iran, a country that serves as the spiritual and political center of Shia Islam.
Historical Roots: From Hazarajat to Diaspora
The Hazara people's history is marked by periods of both flourishing autonomy and severe persecution. Their ancestral lands in Hazārajāt provided a natural fortress, allowing them to maintain a degree of independence for centuries. However, their Shia faith and distinct ethnic identity often made them targets in a region frequently embroiled in sectarian and ethnic conflicts. The late 19th century, particularly between 1888 and 1893, witnessed one of the most brutal periods in Hazara history, often referred to as the Hazara genocide. During this time, nearly 60% of the Hazara population was massacred, and their lands were seized by Pashtun forces under Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. Historical documents from this period even indicate the construction of pyramids from human heads by the Afghan government army after some of the massacres. This catastrophic event forced many Hazara to flee, laying the foundation for significant diaspora communities in the Indian subcontinent and, crucially, in Iran. Prior to this genocide, areas like Herat and northwest Afghanistan, which were under Iranian influence, were predominantly Hazara, with their army commanders holding significant sway, indicating their historical prominence in the region.
Cultural and Linguistic Bridges with Iran
One of the most striking aspects of the connection between the Hazara people and Iran lies in their shared cultural and linguistic heritage. While the Hazara speak Hazaragi, a dialect of Dari (Persian), it is remarkably similar to Iranian Farsi. Dari itself is spoken by approximately half of Afghans and serves as the accepted lingua franca in Afghanistan. This linguistic proximity has facilitated a strong cultural interaction, with Iranian television, radio, and printed media playing a significant role in disseminating Iranian culture throughout Afghanistan. For better or worse, this cultural permeability has meant that many Hazara, even those living in Afghanistan, are exposed to and influenced by Iranian cultural norms and perspectives. This shared linguistic and religious foundation often leads to an assumption of a tight connection between Hazaras and the Iranian government, an assumption that, as we will explore, does not always hold true in practice.
A Forced Exodus: Hazara Migration to Iran
The migration of Hazara people to Iran is not a recent phenomenon but rather a continuous flow driven by decades of instability and targeted violence in Afghanistan. The initial significant wave of Hazara refugees to Iran began with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which plunged the country into prolonged conflict. Subsequent periods of political unrest, the rise of extremist groups like the Taliban, and ongoing targeted killings against the Hazara community have sustained this exodus. The discriminatory policies of the Taliban, in particular, have compelled large numbers of Hazara to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran, often receiving minimal international support for protection or resettlement elsewhere.
The Perilous Journey and Initial Arrivals
The journey to Iran for many Hazara refugees has been fraught with peril. Fleeing war and persecution, they often undertake arduous treks across difficult terrain, facing dangers ranging from harsh natural elements to human traffickers. Upon arrival, the challenges do not cease. As of 2015 data compiled by the United Nations, there were approximately 951,000 Afghan refugees in Iran, with a substantial number of them being Hazara. This influx has created significant pressure on Iranian resources and social services. Families like Nasrin's, who fled to Iran in the 1980s following persecution in Afghanistan, represent generations of Hazara who have sought safety within Iran's borders, only to find a new set of struggles awaiting them.
Life in Limbo: Challenges Faced by Hazara in Iran
Despite the shared religious and linguistic ties, the life of Hazara refugees and residents in Iran is often characterized by stress, difficulty, and systemic discrimination. The Iranian government imposes numerous restrictions and bylaws on Afghan refugees, which disproportionately affect the Hazara community. These challenges permeate every aspect of their daily lives, from basic rights to access to education and employment, creating a precarious existence for many.
Navigating Discrimination and Vulnerability
Discrimination against the Hazara people in Iran is a pervasive issue. Their distinct "Asian face" often serves as an immediate identifier, leading Iranian police and the general populace to label them as "Afghan," regardless of their specific origins or legal status. This physical distinction makes them highly vulnerable to harassment and abuse. Nasrin, for instance, explains, "Hazara people are distinguished based on their appearance, so we get targeted a lot." This targeting translates into real-world consequences: many Hazara have no access to their basic rights, are unable to access essential services, and are often denied the opportunity to attend school. They are widely considered the most discriminated minority group in Iran, a stark contrast to the religious and linguistic commonalities that might suggest otherwise. The tragic incident in Mashhad, where approximately half of the casualties were Hazara despite their population making up only one-tenth of the city, underscores the heightened vulnerability and disproportionate suffering faced by this community.
Beyond Borders: The Hazara Diaspora and Global Presence
While Iran hosts a significant number of Hazara, their diaspora extends far beyond its borders, forming vibrant communities across the globe. Significant populations of Hazara people also live in Quetta, Pakistan, and various districts in Iran’s eastern provinces, forming part of the broader Hazara and Afghan diasporas. The city of Quetta, in particular, has become a major hub for Hazara migrants and refugees, with many Hazara migrant workers passing through or settling there, sometimes playing board games during a stopover on their journey to Iran. The persecution by Amir Abdur Rahman Khan in the late 19th century was a pivotal moment that led to the establishment of these communities, with many fleeing to the Indian subcontinent or Iran.
Beyond South Asia and the Middle East, Hazara communities have also taken root in Western countries. The Hazara Council of Australia, for example, is an organization formed by the Hazara community of Australia, advocating for their rights and preserving their cultural heritage. This global dispersion highlights the enduring impact of historical and ongoing conflicts on the Hazara people, forcing them to seek safety and new lives in distant lands, yet often maintaining strong ties to their roots and to each other.
A Complex Relationship: Hazara and the Iranian State
The relationship between the Hazara community and the Iranian government is complex, marked by a delicate balance of shared identity, strategic interests, and underlying tensions. Despite the facts that the majority of Hazara are Shia Muslims, similar to Iran’s religion, and both speak Persian with different dialects, these factors do not imply a tight, unconditionally supportive connection between Hazaras and the Iranian government. While Iran has provided refuge to thousands of Hazara fleeing war and persecution in Afghanistan, the support often comes with stringent conditions and a lack of full integration.
A notable and controversial aspect of this relationship is the formation of the "Fatimiyun" division within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This voluntary brigade was formed from amongst Hazara refugees from Afghanistan, and its soldiers, after undergoing special training in military bases, are then sent to Syria to fight alongside the country’s army against rebels. This recruitment highlights a transactional dimension to the relationship, where humanitarian aid and refuge are intertwined with geopolitical objectives. While some Hazara may join for ideological reasons or out of economic necessity, it also raises questions about the exploitation of a vulnerable refugee population for military purposes, further complicating their status and future prospects in Iran.
Echoes of the Past: Historical Persecution and Genocide
To fully grasp the contemporary challenges faced by Hazara in Iran, it is essential to understand the deep historical roots of their persecution. The late 19th century witnessed a period of immense suffering for the Hazara, which profoundly shaped their identity and diaspora. Between 1888 and 1893, under the rule of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, a systematic campaign of massacres and land seizures decimated the Hazara population. Estimates suggest that nearly 60% of the Hazaras were killed, and their ancestral lands were seized by Pashtuns. This period of genocide was so brutal that documents from the time refer to the construction of pyramids from human heads by the Afghan government army after some of the massacres, a chilling testament to the scale of the atrocities. Many of the Hazaras who survived this persecution fled, settling in various parts of the Indian subcontinent and Iran, thereby laying the foundation of the Hazara communities that now live in the Pakistani city of Quetta and various districts in Iran’s eastern provinces.
This historical trauma is not merely a distant memory; it continues to echo in the present. The destruction of cultural landmarks, such as the giant Buddha statues that once stood in Bamian (a Hazara-majority area), on July 22, 1996, serves as a more recent reminder of the systematic targeting of Hazara heritage and identity. The ongoing targeted killings and the harsh, discriminatory policies of groups like the Taliban in Afghanistan perpetuate this cycle of violence, forcing successive generations of Hazara to seek refuge, including in Iran, where their struggle for safety and recognition continues.
Advocacy and Hope: Seeking Justice and Recognition
Despite the immense challenges, the Hazara community, both within Iran and across its global diaspora, continues to advocate for justice, protection, and recognition of their rights. Organizations like the Hazara Council of Australia exemplify the collective efforts of the community to raise awareness about their plight and push for greater international support. These groups work tirelessly to highlight the ongoing persecution in Afghanistan and the precarious situation of Hazara refugees in host countries like Iran and Pakistan, where they often receive minimal international support in terms of protection or resettlement to third countries.
The call for recognition extends beyond mere survival; it is a plea for dignity and the right to live without fear of discrimination or violence. For Hazara in Iran, this means advocating for improved access to basic rights, essential services, and education, and an end to the discrimination that marks them as perpetual outsiders. The international community has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the Hazara, who have suffered immensely from a history of genocide and ongoing persecution, receive the protection and support they desperately need, whether in their ancestral lands or in countries of refuge.
The Future of Hazara in Iran: Navigating Uncertainty
The future of the Hazara community in Iran remains uncertain, shaped by both internal Iranian policies and the volatile geopolitical landscape of the region. While thousands of Hazara have found a temporary haven in Iran, their lives are often characterized by a stressful and difficult existence due to many restrictions and bylaws imposed on Afghan refugees. The ongoing political unrest in Afghanistan, coupled with the persistent threat of targeted killings and the Hazara genocide, means that a large-scale return to their homeland is not a viable option for many.
The Hazara community in Afghanistan is caught in a precarious position, stuck in the middle between Iran and the Taliban, with limited options and dwindling international support. For those in Iran, the challenge lies in securing a more stable and dignified life, free from discrimination and with full access to fundamental rights. The resilience of the Hazara people, their strong cultural identity, and their unwavering hope for a better future will undoubtedly continue to drive their struggle. However, their long-term integration and well-being in Iran will largely depend on policy changes that address their unique vulnerabilities and acknowledge their shared humanity, moving beyond the current framework of limited rights and persistent discrimination.
Conclusion
The journey of the Hazara people in Iran is a profound narrative of survival against overwhelming odds. From their historical roots in Hazārajāt to their significant presence as a diaspora community in Iran, Pakistan, and beyond, their story is one of enduring persecution, forced migration, and remarkable resilience. Despite shared religious and linguistic ties with Iran, the Hazara often face systemic discrimination, limited access to basic services, and a life in limbo, highlighting the complex and often challenging realities of being a refugee minority. Their involvement in regional conflicts, such as through the Fatimiyun division, further complicates their already precarious status.
Understanding the plight of the Hazara in Iran is not just about acknowledging historical injustices but also about recognizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis they face. It calls for greater awareness, advocacy, and a commitment from the international community to ensure their protection and rights. If this article has shed light on their struggles, please consider sharing it to amplify their voices. What are your thoughts on the challenges faced by refugee communities globally? Share your comments below, and explore other articles on our site for more insights into human rights and global affairs.
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