Ethnic identity has long been a subject of controversy for some people. But in Afghanistan, it’s only becoming more contentious.
To take one example, a row over the chosen language for the post-2001 national anthem was eventually calmed when it was agreed that the lyrics would mention 14 ethnic groups in the country.
Fifteen years after the song was approved, the number of ethnic groups has exploded to 71.
The government... should have dealt with extreme caution, by not only remaining objective but also legitimising the process through consultations with all stakeholders
At least, that’s what a new proposal by the Afghan National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) outlines.
The organisation shared a new list classifying Afghan ethnicities and tribes, sparking outrage among citizens, particularly minority groups.
While the list recognises previously marginalised and stateless tribes such as the Jogis, it also breaks down existing minority groups into myriad sub-groups, thereby impacting minority demographics.
"While the distribution of the new ID cards is crucial for improving governance and security, the process has become highly politicised, which in turn has undermined public trust," says Kaweh Kerami, lecturer at American University of Afghanistan (AUA).
"The government, especially NSIA, should have dealt with extreme caution, by not only remaining objective but also legitimising the process through consultations with all stakeholders."
Among those who raised objections was the country’s second Vice President Sarwar Danesh.
"The new list creates a major technical problem in understanding the national demography, and has a negative impact on the identity of minorities," Mohammad Hidayat, Director of Communication and Culture Affairs at the Office of second Vice President Danesh, told The National.
In the current list, the Hazara ethnic group are divided into 13 tribes, however, they all fall under one tribe, he said, which has caused widespread discontent within the community.
“For example, Shekhali is a district, not a tribe. Other examples are Karamali, Kawe, Nikpai and Daimerak. These all fall under the Hazaras, but unfortunately, now they are each a tribe,” Mr Hidayat said, adding that the issue is rather sensitive and could further alienate the persecuted minority.
The second Vice President’s office also stated that the decision was made without any professional study or survey and is an injustice towards the people of Afghanistan.
A spokesperson for the NSAI confirmed to The National that the decisions was not based on academic studies.
"Tribal representatives reached out to different governmental institutions and requested to be added to the list for the e-Tazkira database," said Rohina Shababi, the NSAI spokesperson to The National, referring to the country's electronic national ID program.
“Our intention is not to divide or marginalise any group,” she said, adding that the final list was compiled by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The classifications, however, have earned the ire of the minority communities who have pointed out the breakdown of tribes only applies to ethnic groups other than the Pashtuns, who make up a large section of the Afghan population.
"I feel we are getting excluded from our own community and people day by day, in our own country," Maisam Rezae, a 22-year-old IT student and a resident of Kabul told The National.
Mr Rezae is from the ethnic Hazara minority group who are largely followers of the Shiite sect of Islam, and are often targeted by insurgent groups.
“We have suffered a lot from all these terrorist groups and now on top it all off, our own government who we voted for is dividing us for their political gains,” he added.
The second VP's office echoed these sentiments.
“Historically, it has often been claimed in Afghanistan that the role or representation of any group in the government is defined by their population in the country. And people who believe in this are working to further marginalise the minority groups and their influence in the government,” Mr Hidayat alleged.
In the absence of any census data, the move is seen as an attempt to consolidate the Pashtuns as the largest majority.
Mr Kerami from AUA agrees that the current initiative has become highly politicised.
"In the context of Afghanistan, where the actual size of populations is not known, elites from each group try to shape certain narratives to boost their bargaining positions. This also exhibits itself in government agencies, where appointments are largely political.”
This isn’t the first time ethnic issues have spurred national debate on the population demographics. Mr Kerami says that the legacy of colonial rule “contributed to the politicisation of ethnicity.”
“Regrettably, the Central Statistics Authority of Afghanistan has recently attempted to divide the ethnic groups of Afghanistan into villages and districts, based on a pre-orchestrated agenda,” said Salahuddin Rabbani, former Minister and the current leader of Jamiat-e-Islami, a largely Tajik political.
“This action is a continuation of the steps that have been taken for some time now by a small select group in order to undermine the political system, provoke ethnic strife and fragment a united Afghanistan,” he said.
Mr Hidayat recommended that that the Afghan government undertake an academic study to re-evaluate the list.
“We suggest the creation of a new committee or utilising the expertise of existing committees created by the President a few years ago, and include academics, sociologists, anthropologists and historians to study and debate Afghan demographics before adding tribes and sub-tribes based on individual requests.”
“Otherwise, we will be adding 50 new tribes every day for every clan who wants to be identified as a tribe,” he said.
Mr Rezae also urged the government to maintain unity during such crucial times, when the future of the country’s security and progress is being discussed in an ongoing negotiation with the Taliban.
“Now is the time for solidarity and unity. History has taught us that division has never been a solution,” he said.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Read more about the coronavirus
The specs
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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
