ISLAMABAD: The culture, language and traditions of the Hazara people were discussed and celebrated at a gathering of social activists, diplomats, intellectuals and folklorists on Saturday.

The tone and tenor of speeches interspersed with Hazaragi music were full of lament and grief and the ambience was very sombre as two more members of the community fell prey to targeted killing in Quetta the same day.

The speakers, including Dr Hussain Yasa, a prominent journalist and intellectual based in Germany, Dr Fauzia Saeed, Fatima Atif, chairperson of Hazara Forum, Islamabad chapter and Ahmed Ali Hazara expressed indignation at the spike in the killings of the Hazaras and sought stringent steps for the protection of the community and elimination of terrorist safe havens.

Speakers express their resentment over recent spike in attacks on Hazara community

The event was held to launch a campaign for celebrating Hazara Culture day to be observed on May 19.

“Every community should promote their culture,” said former Lok Virsa executive director Dr Fauzia Saeed.

“However, one should be aware of and respect multiple identities and cultural diversity,” she asserted.

Youth need to be educated on the importance of the folk culture that will help them explore the future with their feet on grounds and give confidence and respect for the past, she said.

“This day is very important for us. For the first time in history, Hazara community’s rich culture and lifestyle was acknowledged at government level and a diorama was established at Lok Virsa in 2016,” said Fatima Atif, a women rights activist.

She was all praise of Dr Fauzia Saeed for establishing the ‘Hazara Diorama’ at the Heritage Museum.

The main objective of the event was to present the soft image of Hazara community to the people of the capital and discuss the unique culture and language of the community, as there has been a misconception about the Hazaras that needs to be removed, she said.

“Hazaras are also human beings; they have feelings like others and they want to live in a peaceful society,” she said.

For the last two decades we have been targeted in markets and on roads by terrorists, who remain unknown, said Ahmed Ali, an activist of the community.

Over 3,000 have fallen victim to targeted attacks for the last two decades.

The relentless suicide attacks on Hazaras since 2002 have compelled around 70,000 affluent families to flee to Australia, Nordic and European countries to escape abuse and persecution in Afghanistan and Pakistan, selling off their houses and shops, said Mr Yasa, a Germany-based journalist.

Afghanistan’s Constitution granted Hazaras equal rights, and they were well-represented in the administration and parliament, Mr Yasa said.

Bamiyan, Hazara capital, is among the country’s poorest cities, lacking basic facilities where the per capita income is $8 as compared to $200 in Helmand province.

Despite enormous discrimination, the Hazara community is very resilient and hardworking and most educated community, said Zarina, a teacher and activist, sharing her experiences while working with the community.

Safdar Hazara, a noted singer and tamboura player, presented folk songs depicting the pain and gloom of the community.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2018