A significant Kurdish community resides in Afghanistan, having been relocated from their original homeland in northwestern Iran during Persian rule in the 1500s. This group has preserved its native language, known locally as Kurdi, while also adopting Turkmen or Dari as a primary language. 

In an exclusive interview with Mohammad Nader Rakazada, a prominent Kurdish activist and author from Afghanistan, Kurdistan Chronicle explores the rich history, language, and cultural identity of the Kurdish people in Afghanistan. Rakazada, who relocated to the United States after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, shares insights into his family’s roots, the historical significance of Kurds in Afghanistan, and the challenges they face today.

From Iran to Afghanistan

Rakazada was born in 1966 in Kabul Province. He comes from a military family with deep Kurdish roots, tracing his lineage back to Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran). “My ancestors are Kurds from Kurdistan, and our fathers were professional soldiers,” he recounts.

His family settled in Bojnord, Quchan, and Dargaz during the period that spanned from the reign of Abbas the Great (1588-1629) to Nader Afshar (1736-1747) to guard Iran’s borders against the Turks and Mongols. Eventually, they migrated with Ahmad Shah Durrani (1747-1772), along with other Kurdish tribes, to Afghanistan. Rakazada emphasizes the historical context of Kurdish migration, stating, that “This migration was not merely a quest for safety, but a testament to the Kurds enduring spirit and resilience.”

According to Rakazada, there are over 350,000 Kurds residing in Afghanistan today, a community that has significantly contributed to the country’s social and political fabric. Over the years, Kurds in Afghanistan have participated in various struggles for freedom, including the Anglo-Afghan Wars. Their involvement has left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. “Kurds have held ministerial positions and high-ranking roles within the country’s security forces,” Rakazada states proudly.

He points to the notable figures from Kurdish history – such as Kake Atta Muhammad, Dost Mohammad Khan, Sarkarda Mohammad Jan Khan, and Qoli Khan – who died alongside their Kurdish soldiers in the Anglo-Afghan Wars. He also relates how the Amir of Afghanistan Abdur Rahman Khan (1880-1901) killed Jernail (Commander) Abdur Rahman Khan and other 35 Kurdish commanders, after which Kurdish people were marginalized and forced to leave their villages. Following the death of Jernail Abdul Rahman khan, the kingdom of Emir Amanullah Khan (1926-1929) came to power and the Kurdish people emerged again and had prominent roles in his kingdom.

Identification politics

Rakazada’s passion for documenting Kurdish history led him on an eight-year journey across Afghanistan to reconnect with his lost kin. “I have been researching about the Kurds of Afghanistan for eight years and have collected the data from the Kurdish people.” He stated.

Thanks to Rakazada’s continuous efforts, the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) made Kurdish a possible ethnicity to appear on the country’s electronic identity cards. This came in 2018, when NSIA made a controversial decision to add a total of 54 new ethnic designations to the existing 14 groups, which critics argued that the additions could deepen divisions among Afghans at a crucial time in the nation’s history.

The NSIA defended its decision, arguing that these ethnic groups were added based on requests from their representatives and that there were no legal barriers preventing the authority from including them. Therefore, after the government established a commission to recognize ethnic groups, following extensive efforts and legal approvals, the Kurdish ethnic identity was officially recorded in the electronic register. This permitted two types of identity cards, “one standard card recognized by the government and another issued by the Kurdish Ethnic Council for its members,” Rakazada explained.

Rakazada’s efforts on these fronts culminated in the publication of two books on Kurdish life and history in Afghanistan, which he plans to publish in multiple languages, including Pashto, Dari, Baluchi, Kurdish, Persian, and English.

Language and freedom

Preserving the Kurdish language is a vital component of cultural identity, and Rakazada emphasizes its importance. “Ancestry and inheritance cannot be denied. Blood, language, and culture give us our identity,” he asserts. However, he expresses concern about the younger generation of Afghan Kurds, who have not learned the Kurdish language and struggle to preserve their cultural practices due to their integration into Afghan society.

The Kurdish community in Afghanistan faces several challenges, among which Rakazada highlights the risk of their language being forgotten, the lack of resources to preserve their history, and the socioeconomic struggles many Kurds endure. He notes that closed schools and limited job opportunities have forced many Kurds to leave their homes, further isolating them from their cultural roots.

Despite these challenges, Rakazada remains hopeful for the unity of the Kurdish community in Afghanistan, where cultural connections flourish and individuals can learn from one another. “Freedom is the best blessing.” He states.

He dreams of a future where Kurds can celebrate their identity and culture freely, without fear of persecution or marginalization. Rakazada’s journey has not been without its obstacles. He recalls the Chindawol uprising in 1979 led by the Kurds and the Afghan Qizilbash that was suppressed by the regime. Many leaders were imprisoned, including General Jafar Khan and Mirza Ali Khan. This historical event serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles Kurds have faced in their quest for recognition and rights within Afghanistan.

Vision for the future

Reflecting on the current state of the Kurdish community in Afghanistan, Rakazada identifies several key challenges. “We must work towards cultural relations, employment opportunities, and addressing ethnic conflicts within the diverse fabric of Afghan society,” he states. He believes that unity and cultural preservation are crucial for the Kurdish people to thrive.

Rakazada advocacy for the Kurdish community has led to significant achievements, such as the inclusion of Kurds in Afghanistan’s census. However, he acknowledges the political obstacles that persist. “We faced numerous challenges during our fight for recognition and finally were able to get Kurdish listed as an ethnicity on the National Identity Card,” he shares.

In addition to his advocacy work, Rakazada has emphasized the importance of education and cultural exchange among the Kurdish diaspora. He recounts efforts during the republican era to establish connections with Kurdish communities across the region, including Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, and Turkish Kurdistan. “We invited our Kurdish brothers to come, connect, and define our identity together, but unfortunately, we were not successful,” he says.

Rakazada envisions a future where the Kurdish community in Afghanistan works together to revive their language and cultural practices. “We need to build schools, promote our language, and ensure that the next generation understands their heritage,” he states passionately.

As he concludes the interview, Rakazada reflects on the importance of unity among Kurds. “In the face of challenges, we must endure hardships.” He emphasizes. “Our identity is rooted in our shared history, language, and culture. We must work together to preserve it for future generations.”

As Rakazada navigates his new life in the United States, he continues to champion the Kurdish cause, both in Afghanistan and around the world. Through his efforts, Rakazada embodies the spirit of resilience that defines the Kurdish people. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural identity, the struggles faced by marginalized communities, and the power of hope in the pursuit of freedom and recognition. As the Kurdish community continues to navigate the challenges of the future, Rakazada’s voice will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping their narrative and preserving their legacy.

Rakazada would also like to acknowledge some prominent Kurdish ethnic elders from the last 100 years in Afghanistan, including Sarkarda Commander Mohammad Yousuf Khan, Mohammad Qasim Khan Askaryar, Mohammad Hassan Khan Raka, Mohammad Akbar Khan Raka, Baba Khan, Clonal Abdulqader Khan Raka, Malik Ghazi Baba, Sarferaz Khan, Zaman Khan, Ghulam Nabi Khan, Haji Mohammad Zahir Rakazai, General Mohammad Jafer Khan, Mirza Ali Khan, Engineer Gul Mohammad Khan Raka, Abdul Rasheed Khan, Waz Ail Bakhtyari, and Ail Bakhtyari.