Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Social Sciences Academy Insults Hazaras: Mohaqiq

Social Sciences Academy  Insults Hazaras: Mohaqiq

KABUL - A book recently published by the Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan is derogatory toward the Hazara community, a lawmaker alleged on Sunday.
A collection of research papers, Dairatul Maarif (Encyclopedia) was a plain insult to the various ethnic groups, People's Unity Party head, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq told a news conference in Kabul.

Also a member of the parliament from Kabul, Mohaqiq claimed the book described Hazara members as descendants of Genghis Khan and Mughuls.
Additionally, he charged, the Hazaras had been accused of refusing to recognize the three caliphs of Islam other than Hazrat Ali (RA). The legislator also took issue with the branding of his community people as liar, dishonest and unreliable.

He added that the book says Hazara women have hair only on their heads, with all other parts of their body hairless. "I fail to understand how they have concluded this…where they have examined this."
He denounced the flawed portrayal of Hazaras as the handiwork of biased individuals. "I don't know why (President) Karzai has allowed these people to run the academy and what he wants to achieve…?"

Mohaqiq said, "such biased and narrow minded people are threat to the national unity and directing Afghanistan towards an uncertain future."
Mohaqiq went on to demand the academy's dissolution and give all communities representation in the institute. Abusing the ethnic group was tantamount to an attempt at rekindling civil strife in the country, he believed.

The book, the public representative pointed out, said the Hazara community constituted 9% of Afghanistan's population. But the Bonn Conference was told they accounted for 19.5%, he explained.
On the other hand, the academy head vehemently denied the institute had biased researchers. Abdul Bari Rashed insisted the academy was reflective of national unity.

Different accounts about the community in the book had been derived from other sources, added Rashed, who wanted the writers to respond to questions about the accuracy of their information.
If their answers were not convincing, the disputed portions could be excised from the book, he concluded. (Pajhwok)