www.afghan-web.com
Afghan flag
Background and Overview
of Khaled Hosseini’s
www.marshall.edu
The Kite Runner
connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com
Khaled Hosseini
Order of Presentation
georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov
At a movie screening
Setting
 Historical Overview
 Taliban
 Religion
 Ethnic Groups
 Afghanistan Today
 Essential Questions

Setting: Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a
land-locked
country in the
Middle East.

It is bordered
by Iran,
Pakistan,
Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan,
Tajikistan, and
China.
www.worldatlas.com
Historical Overview of Afghanistan

In the mid-1700s, the
capital city was moved
to Kabul.

In the mid-1800s, the
country was mostly
controlled by Great
Britain. In 1919,
Afghans fought for
freedom and became
an independent nation.
www.cia.gov
Historical Overview, Continued

In 1978, the PDPA
(People’s Democratic
Party of Afghanistan)
rose to power. They
advocated for women’s
rights and for land
redistribution amongst
the poor. Under the
leadership of President
Carter, the U.S. helped
finance these reforms.
www.womenforwomen.org
Historical Overview, Continued
zamaaneh.com

answersinhistory.wordpress.com
These reforms
occurred during the
Cold War (a conflict
between the U.S.
and the Soviet
Union). Because the
Soviet Union felt
threatened by U.S.
involvement, Soviets
invaded Afghanistan
in 1979.
Historical Overview, Continued

10 years later, in
1989, the Soviets
withdrew from
Afghanistan.
However, neither the
U.S. or the Soviets
helped rebuild wartorn Afghanistan. In
the aftermath of the
conflict, the Taliban
rose to power.
www.pakistantoday.com.pk
www.nydailynews.com
Taliban Rule
www.theguardian.com

During this seven-year
period, Muslim extremist
groups such as al-Qaida
gained popularity.

In addition, women’s
freedoms were severely
curtailed.

Finally, extreme and
inhumane punishments
were enacted for crimes
such as theft.
www.cartoonstock.com
Religion

Nearly 80% of Afghans
are Sunni Muslims,
while the remaining
20% are Shi’a.

Sunnis and Shi’as
primarily disagree on
the rightful successors
of Muhammad.

In the novel, Amir is
Sunni and Hassan is
Shi’a.
teachmiddleeast.lib.uchicago.edu
Mosque of the Prophet
Medina, Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Groups

Pashtuns are the largest ethnic
group at nearly 42% while Hazaras
comprise approximately 9%.
Historically, there has been conflict
between these two groups.

Physically, the differences between
the two groups are subtle.
Generally, the Pashtuns have
straighter noses and wider eyes
while the Hazaras have more Asian
features (wider noses and smaller
eyes).

Amir is Pashtun while Hassan is
Hazara.
newamericamedia.org
www.hazarajaat.com
Afghanistan Today
en.wikipedia.org

In late 2001 (after 9/11),
the U.S. invaded
Afghanistan and
overthrew the Taliban
regime.

A new president, Hamid
Karzai was appointed.

Unfortunately,
Afghanistan still struggles
with Taliban insurgents,
illegal opium trading,
active landmines, and
poverty.
www.dailymaverick.co.za
Essential Questions

How does my past
influence me?

How can I allow my
past to assist
others?
therunkiter.wordpress.com
Hassan and Amir
Works Cited
"Afghanistan." Wikipedia. 12 June 2008. 25 June 2008
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan>.
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York City: Riverhead
Books, 2004.