Who is Who of Afghanistan
Dear
reader,
We are in the process of compiling as complete a list
of Afghanistan's Who is Who as we possibly can. We very much welcome
your contribution both in terms of identifying individuals not yet
covered in our list as well as helping us with the accuracy of the information
presented in these pages.
Please write us at: info@institute-for-afghan-studies.org
Abdali, Ahmad Shah
The founding father of the modern day Afghanistan, he is known as Ahmad Shah
Baba among Afghans. He was born in 1722 in Herat. He served as a commander in
Nadir Shah's army. After Nadir Shah's death, he took control of the area he was
commanding. He was elected the King of Afghanistan by an assembly of Pashtun
chiefs in 1747. During his reign, Ahmad Shah Baba invaded India eight times in a
quest to bring more territory under his empire's control. Ahmad Shah Baba's
empire extended from eastern Persia to Northern India and from Amu Darya to the
Indian Ocean. He died on April 14, 1772 and was buried in Kandahar, the capital
of his empire.
(Dr.) Abdullah
He has been a close aid to Mas'ud since the 80s. Since 1992, he has mainly
served as Rabbani government's spokesperson. He has represented Rabbani's gov't
in the UN for the last three years. In mid 1999, he was appointed deputy foreign
minister in the newly formed governement of Rabbani.
Abdul Malek
(Amir) Abdul Rahman Khan
Known as the Iron King, he was engaged in military activities at a young age.
As the commander of the army of Balkh, he subdued Uzbeck chiefs of Qataghan and
Badakhshan and made them renew their allegiance to Kabul. He fought his uncle,
Amir Sher Ali Khan and was forced to flee to Bukhara. Abdul Rahman Khan
returned to Afghanistan in 1866. He defeated Sher Ali Khan and proclaimed his
father, Afzal Khan, Afghanistan's King. Three years later, Abdul Rahman Khan was
forced into exile again by his uncle, Sher Ali Khan. He returned to Afghanistan
after Sher Ali Khan's death and assumed the power of the country in 1880. During
his reign, Afghanistan's northern and eastern boundaries were demarcated
including the Durand Line in 1893. In order to extend his power over much of
today's Afghanistan, the Amir fought a number of local wars. He quelled the
Hazaras in central Afghanistan and after few years of war brought them under his
control. Next, he attacked Nuristan, known as Kafiristan at that time, and
converted the people of the area to Islam. Abdul Rahman Khan died in 1901 and
was buried in Kabul.
(Maj. Gen.) Abdul Qader
Born 1944 in Herat. He attended pilot training college in the Soviet Union.
He was a participant in Daud Khan's coup in 1973. He was appointed Commander of
Air Defense in 1975. He played a major role in the April coup of 1978 against
Daud Khan. He served briefly as the Minister of Defense. He was arrested later
and accused of plotting a coup against the Khalqi government which he helped
bring to power. He was freed from jail after the Soviet invasion of our country.
He was re-appointed as Minister of Defense by Karmal. In 1986 he was sent to
Poland as the Afghan ambassador.
(Haji) Abdul Qadir
Abdul Wakil
Born in 1947 in Kabul. He is a graduate of Habibia High School and Faculty of
Economics, Kabul University. He was one of the prominent members of the Parcham
faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. After the Communists
coup of 1978, he held various high-ranking offices in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. He was the last Foreign Minister of the Communist regime that collapsed
in April of 1992. Wakil negotiated with Mas'ud in 1992 for a peaceful transfer
of power from Najibullah's government to the Mujahideen.
Abdul Wali
Born in 1925. He is the son of Martial Sardar Shah Wali Khan. He received his
military education in France. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Central Force
in 1973 when King Zahir Shah was overthrown in a palace coup by his cousin Daud.
Since Daud Khan's coup, Abdul Wali has been living in exile in Rome, Italy. For
the pst twenty years, Abdul Wali has acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the
ex-king, Zahir Shah. He has also been active in mustering support for the
ex-king. To this end, he traveled to Pakistan in 1996 and met with various
Afghans and tribal and local leaders. At present, he is actively involve in
implementing a peace plan put forward by the ex-king. The peace plan calls for
the convening a traditional Afghan Assembly (Loya Jirga) as the only solution to
the Afghan conflict.
Karim Khan Achakzai
He is the son of Daru Khan Achakzai, who was one of the most respected head of
his tribe on both side of the Durand line. Karim Khan is the only surving son of
Daru Khan, who is respected by a large segment of the Achakzai tribe in Kandahar
and Quetta. He was a representative to the Afghan Parliament from the district
of Spin Boldak during Zahir Shah. He is an ardent proponent of the convening of
a Loya Jirga in Afghanistan for the resolution of the Afghan problem.
Afghan, Ghulam Muhyiddin
Born in 1862 in Kandahar. Received tradition education in Afghanistan.
Traveled to India and continued with his education. Helped found Habibia High
School and many other primary schools. He was a freedom fighter, a poet, and a
writer. He died in 1922.
Afghani, Sayed Jamaluddin
Born in 1838 in As'ad Abad of Kunar province. He was a Pan-Islamist and a
staunch promoter of Islamic unity against the military and technological power
of the Europeans, who he regarded as the enemies of Islam. He was known for his
Islamic work through out the Middle East, Turkey and South Asia. He spent most
of his time advising the Egyptian rulers and Ottoman Sultan. He died in
Istanbul, Turkey, in 1897, perhaps, due to poisoning.
Ahadi, Anwar ul-Haq
Head of the Afghan Milat party since July 1995; a professor of political
science in Providence College.
Akbari, (Hujjat-lu
Islam) Sayed Mohammad
He is a Qizelbash. He was the head of the political committee of the Hizb-e
Wahdat (Unity Party), a coalition of seven shi'a factions based in Iran during
the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. In 1993, when Wahdat's leader, Mazari,
joined hands with Hekmatyar, Akbari sided with Rabbani's government which
basically split the party in half. After Mazari's assasination by the Taliban,
Akbari joined hands with the former's successor, Karim Khalili and fought
against the Taliban in northern and central Afghanistan. After the fall of
Bamyan's province to the Taliban in mid 1998, Akbari surrendered to the Taliban
and proclaimed his factions cooperation with them. He was transferred to Kabul
by the Taliban.
Prof. Dr.. Ali Ahmad
Professor of psychiatry and mental diseases at Kabul University for more than
30 years. He graduated from Istiqlal High School. Graduated From Faculty of
Medicine , Kabul University. Received his Ph.D. from Sorbun University, Paris.
He was a very famous medical doctor in Afghanistan. He was also a member of
"Weash Zelmian" political party. He died in 1994? in the USA and
buried in San Diego.
(Amir) Amanullah Khan
Born in 1892. He was formally declared Afghanistan's King on Feb 27, 1919
after is Father's assassination. Upon his claim to the throne, King Amanullah
declared Afghanistan's complete independence from the British Empire. The
British refused to recognize the King's demand that led to the Third
Anglo-Afghan war. After a brief war, the British recognized Afghanistan as a
sovereign state. After Afghanistan's independence, the King continued with
introducing radical reforms and changes in the Afghan society. The reforms set
out by the King did not bode well in the conservative Afghan society. In 1924,
the people in Khost, Paktia, revolted against the policies of the King under the
leadership of Mullah Abdullah Ahmadzai known as Mullah-e Lang (lame Mullah). In
1928, the people in Shinwar revolted against the King's policies. The revolt in
Shinwar was followed by an attack by Habibullah of Kalakan (known as Bacha-e
Saqa) who captured Kabul in January of 1928 from Amanullah's forces. King
Amanullah escaped to Kandahar and subsequently left Afghanistan for Italy.
During his reign, Amanullah visited Kamal Ataturk of Turkey and many European
nations. He was inspired by the social and educational progress in those
countries. Amir Amanullah died on April 26 of 1960. He was buried in Jalalabad
next to the tomb of his father, Amir Habibullah.
Amin, Hafizullah
Born in 1929 in Paghman, Kabul. He received his B.S. in Physics and
Mathematics from Kabul University. He obtained his MA in education from Columbia
University in 1957. IN 1963, he was elected the President of the Union of Afghan
Students in the United States while he was working towards his Ph. D. before
completing his studies, he returned to Afghanistan in 1965. He became a member
of the People's Democratic Party, Khalq faction. He was his party's laison in
the Afghan Armed Forces. He is said to have ordered the April coup of 1978 that
brought the Communists to power. After the April coup, he served as Vice Premier
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In April of 1979, he became the Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In Sep 16 of 1979, he replaced Nur
Mohammad Taraki as the President of the country after spearheading a coup
against him. During his reign as the Prime minister and the President, he
ordered the execution of tens of thousands of innocent Afghans. In Dec 27 of
1979, he was assassinated by the invading Soviet Army.
Anis, Ghulam Muhyiddin
Born in Herat. He received his education in Egypt. He was an author the
founder of Anis, the first independent newspaper. He was an opponent of
Habibbullah Kalakani and the Yahya Khel ruling family. He was arrested and died
in prison in 1938.
Anwari, Sayed Hussain
He is a member of the Harakat-e Inqelab-e Islami party. Recently, he has been
seving as the military spokesperson for the United Front, the opposition
fighting the Taliban.
Hedayat Amin Arsala
Former official at the World Bank. Joined Gilani's Tanzeem in Pakistan and
was named the Foreign Minister of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in 1992.
Resigned his post after the takeover of Prof. Rabbani.
Taj M. Qari Baba
Former Governer of Ghazni Province (1992). Helped organize the Herat Shura
(1995?)
Badakhshi, Taher
He was born in Faizabad, Badakhshan. He received his education at Habibia
High School and the Faculty of Economics, Kabul University. He was one of the
founders of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan together with Taraki
and Karmal. He sided with Parcham when the PDPA split into two factions. In
1968, he left the Parcham and founded his own party called Setam-e Milli which
was based on sectarianism and ethnocentricity. Badakhshi was arrested in 1978
and executed while in jail.
Charkhi, Ghulam Haidar
Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan Army in the second Anglo-Afghan War. He
served Amir Adul Rahman Khan in the same capacity. He died in 1898.
Abdul Hadi Dawi
He is one of the most respected literary and political figures of the 20th
century Afghanistan, who was very constructive in the post independence reforms
of King Amanullah Khan.
Born in Kabul (1895), he was the son of Abdul Ahad Akhundzada Kandahari. He
completed his studies at the Habibia School in Kabul. A. H. Dawi started his
literary career by working at the office of Sarajul-Akhbar under the able
supervision of his tutor, Mahmood Tarzi. He often wrote and contributed
political articles to the newspaper under the pen name of "Preeshaan".
He became an active member of the constitutionalists movement, known as
"Junbish-e Mashrutiat", at very young age. Dawi ranks second to his
teacher, Mahmood Tarzi, in the movement to bring Afghanistan to a new level of
political thinking and literary standards. He was imprisoned on the night of the
Independence Day Celebration in 1918, when one of his friends, Abdul Rahman
Lodin, opened fire on the procession of Amir Habibullah Khan, the King of
Afghanistan. The Amir escaped any injuries, only to be assassinated few months
later. Dawi and his friend, along with many other prisoners, were release after
King Amanullah took over. King Amanullah Khan appointed him as the Chief Editor
of the newly established newspaper of Aman-i Afghan. Its first issue came out in
April-1919.
In the later years, A.H. Dawi would prove very helpful in the construction and
reforms of Afghanistan.
Dawi held some of the following posts, in his lifetime:
1- Member of the political delegation of Afghanistan to the talks in Mussori,
India (1920)
2- Ambassador in Bukhara (1920)
3- Member of the Afghan delegation in talks with Sir Henry Dobbs, in Kabul
(1921)
4- Head of the Indian and European desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(1921)
5- First Afghan Ambassador in London (1923)
6- Minister of Commerce/Trade (1923)
7- Ambassador in Berlin (1932)
8- Representative of Deh Sabz (Kabul) to Shura-e Milli (Parliament) (1949-1953)
9- Afghan Ambassador in Egypt (1953)
10-Afghan Ambassador to Indonesia (1955-1959)
11- Chairman of the Mashranoo Jirga (Senate) after 1959
In addition to writing poems in both, Pashto and Dari languages, Dawi had also
learned other foreign languages such as Turkish, Urdu, English and Arabic. In
addition to compiling a collection of his own poems, he has more than
half a dozen books on other topics as well. Abdul Hadi Dawi died at the age of
88 in Kabul in 1982.
Dost, Shah Mohammad
Born in 1929. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, 1956. Held various positions
in the ministry of Foreign Affairs. Became Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1980.
He conducted many rounds of negotiations on Soviet troop withdrawal from
Afghanistan.
Dostum, Abdul Rashid
Etemadi, Nur Ahmad
Born in 1921 in Kandahar. Attended Isteqlal High School. He held many high
ranking positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a member of the
Committee for drafting the 1964 Constitution. He was Afghanistan's Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister from 1967 to 1971. He was arrested after the April
coup of 1978 and secretly executed.
Farhadi, Rawan
Farhang, Mir Mohammad Sidiq
Born in 1915 in Kabul. He graduated form Istiqlal Lycee. Imprisoned in 1933
and then again in 1952. He held various high administerail positions during the
fifties and sixties. He was a member of the committee drafting the 1964
Constitution. He was the Afghan ambassador to Belgrade, 1972-73. He was
appointed advisor to the Prime Minister in 1980 after the Soviet invasion.
Farhang was a historian and politician. He died in the United States in....
Ghobar, Mir Ghulam Mohammad
Born in 1897 in Kabul. He held various posts in the government in 1920s. In
1933, he was imprisoned for his political views. He was exiled from 1935 to
1942. He was the founding member of Watan (country) Party. He was an elected
member of the Seventh Parliament, 1949-51. He became a political prisoner again,
1952-56. Ghobar was one of the most famous Afghan historians. He is the author
of a book called Afghanistan Dar Masir-e Tarikh (Afghanistan in the course of
history). The book was banned twice during the monarchy. The second volume of
his book was published in June, 1999. He was also a poet. Ghobar died in 1978 in
Germany.
Gilani, Fatima
Daughter of Sayed Ahmad Gilani.
Gilani, Sayed Ahmad
Born in 1932 in Kabul. Completed his studies in Abu Hanifa College and the
faculty of Theology, Kabul University. He Left Afghanistan after the April coup
staged by the Communists. He established his own party called Mahaz-e Milli-e
Afghanistan (National Islamic Front of Afghanistan) which fought against the
Soviet soldiers and their puppet government. Gilani was part of the interim
Islamic gov't which was established in Peshawar after the fall of Najib in 1992.
However, due to his differences with Rabbani's governemnt, particlurly Mas'ud,
he withdrew his support from them. Since 1993, he has been calling for the
concening of a grand assembly, in ordr to put an end to the fighting. Lately, he
has joined forces with the ex-king, whom he has been supportive of since early
80s. In July, 1999, he attended a meeting convened by the ex-Afghan king, Zahir
Shah, in order to seek ways to bring an end to the factional fighting in
Afghanistan.
Gulabzoy, Lt. Gen. Sayed Mohammad
He was born in 1945 in Paktia province. He attended the air force academy. He
was a member of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. He participated in
the 1973 coup against the monarchy. He was also a participant in the Communists
coup of 1978. After the coup he was appointed minister of communication. In
mid-1979, he sided with Taraki in a conspiracy against Hafizullah Amin. When
Amin foiled the plot against him, Gulabzoy sought refuge in the then Soviet
embassy in Kabul. He returned to Afghanistan with the invading Russian forces in
Dec., 1979. Soon after, he was appointed minister of interior. While in office,
he turned the ministry into a stronghold for the members of the Khalq faction of
the PDPA. He also transformed the police force into a power to be reckon with.
He remainde in office until the Communists fall in April of 1992. Since then he
has been living in Moscow.
Habibi, Abdul Hai
Born in Kandahar. He was a well-known Afghan historian and writer. He has
authored many books dealing with Afghan history and literature. He was the
editor of Tulu'-e Afghan (Afghan Sunrise) published in 1931 in Kandahar. He was
forced to exile by Shah Mahmud Ghazi due to his political views. In 1961, he was
permitted to return to Afghanistan. He taught as a professor in the
Faculty of Letters. Later, he served as the President of the Afghan Historian
Society. He died in 1984 in Kabul.
(Amir) Habibullah
Son of Amir Abdul Rahman Khan, he was born in 1871 in Samarkand. After his
father's death, he succeeded to the throne on Oct 3, 1901. During his reign, he
permitted Afghan exiles to return to their homes adn released prisoners of war.
He imported automobile to Afghanistan, built roads and brought electricity to
Kabul. He established the Habibia High School in 1904. During World War I, he
remained neutral, thus losing an opportunity to declare Afghanistan's
independence from the British. Habibullah was assassinated on February 20, 1919,
in Kala Gosh of Laghaman province while hunting.
Haddad, Qudratullah
Born in 1933 in Kabul. Studied journalism. He is a member of the Afghan
Millat party. He was the editor of the Afghan Milat paper from 1966-73. He was
imprisoned after the April coup. He escaped to Pakistan and, as a member of the
Afghan Milat party, he continued to oppose the occupation of our country by the
Soviets.
Prof. . Zabihullah Hamidi
Professor of Hydraulic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University.
Dean of one of Afghan universities in Pakistan. He lives in Melbourne Australia
now.
Prof.. Dr.. Abdul Fatah Hamra
Kabul University professor of pathology. Graduated from Kabul University and
later specialized in pathology in France. During Daud Khan regime he started
political affiliation with the regime. He was imprisoned and killed by Hafizulla
Amin.
Hamed, Dr. Abdul Samad
Born on Jan 8 1929 in Jalalabad. He is a graduate of Nejat High school. He
continued with his education if Switzerland and received his Ph. D. in Law in
1957. He taught in the faculty of Law and Political Science, Kabul University.
He held various high ranking and ministerial jobs in the government through his
career. He was a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution in 1964.
He was imprisoned by the Khalqi government in 1978 and released in 1980. He left
Afghanistan for Germany the same year.
Hazara, Faiz Mohammad
"Kateb"
Hekmatyar, Gulbuddin
Born in 1947 in Kondoz province. He attended the faculty of engineering for
two years in Kabul University. He became involved in Afghan politics while he
was a student. He became a member of the Muslim Youth in 1970. He was imprisoned
in 1972-73. After Daud's coup in 1973, he fled to Pakistan. In 1975, he
became the leader of the Hezb-e Islami-e Afghanistan (the Islamic Party of
Afghanistan). He worked as a saboteur against Daud's regime under Bhutto
government's directives. After the April coup in 1978, his party became one of
the main resistance forces against the Soviet occupation and the communist
government. Hekamtyar was the main recipient of the military aid offered by the
Western and Muslim countries to the Afghan resistance forces. After the Soviet
troop withdrawal, he allied himself with Tanai, a well-known member of the Khalq
Party and staged a failed coup against Najib's government in 1990. After
Najib's fall, Hekmatyar and his party were involved in a bitter and destructive
civil war against Mas'ud's forces over control of the Kabul City. In 1995,
Hekamtyar was forced by the Taliban to leave his military posts in Char Asiab,
Southeast of Kabul. In a deal with his archrivals Rabbani and Mas'ud, Hekmatyar
became Afghanistan's Prime Minister in May 1996. His government was overthrown
by the Taliban in Sep 1996 after the latter captured the city in a military
offensive. Hekmatyar fled to Iran after a few days. In May 1998, he briefly
returned to Mazar, but went back to Iran.
Prof. . Dr.. Rajab Ali Karim
Professor of Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University. During Zahir Shah period
he was the elected Dean of Faculty of Kabul University and during Daud Khan
reign appointed to the same post. He then went to USA for teaching. He died in
USA in 1998?
Isma'il Khan
Born in 1946 in Shindand of Farah province. He attended Kabul Military School
and Military University. He was serving in the 17th division of the army in
Herat when the Communists took over control of the government. He was a
lieutenant then. In march 1979, he defected from the army and participated in
the bloody yet courageous uprising of the people in Herat against the
Communists. After the uprising, he went to Pakistan and joined Jami'at-e Islami
party of Burhanuddin Rabbani. He became well known among the Afghans after
leading his forces in the holy war against the Russians and their puppet
government in western Afghanistan. After the fall of Kabul to Mujahideen, he
became the governor of Herat. However, his military rule extended over most of
western provinces of Afghanistan. After Taliban's emergence in
Kandahar in 1994, Isma'il Khan got engaged with them in a tug of war for control
over provinces such as Helmand, Nimruz, Farah and Herat. He was defeated by the
Taliban and fled to Iran on September 5, 1995. He returned to northern
Afghanistan and started regrouping his forces against the Taliban. However,
after the Taliban's brief victory in northern Afghanistan in May 1997, Isma'il
Khan was turned over to the Taliban by General Malik. He is now imprisoned in
Kandahar.
Kalakani, Habibullah
Born around 1890 in Kalakan of Kohdaman just north of Kabul. He was known as
Bacha-e Saqao (the son of water-carrier, after his father's occupation). Taking
advantage of revolts staged by the Shinwaris and Sulaiman Khel tribes against
King Amanullah, he captured Kabul with the support of forces form his native
area. On January 28, 1929, he became the first Tajik to proclaim himself the
King of Afghanistan. He was overthrown in October 1929 after Shah Wali Khan
captured Arg, the Presidential Palace, form his forces. Habibullah later
surrendered and was executed together with his brothers and few supporters.
Prior to descending to Afghanistan's throne, Habibullah is said to have held
various odd jobs. He is said to have served in the army around 1919. Later on,
due to his sympathy with the Mangal rebellion in 1924, he deserted the army and
went to Peshawar where he worked as a tea seller. From Peshawar he moved to
Parachinar where he was sentenced to eleven months in prison for house breaking.
Habibullah has been characterized as a thief and bandit by most Afghan
historians. However, a recent book authored by Khalillah Kahlili describes
him as a Mujahed (holy warrior) who fought against the infidel government of
King Amanullah.
Kalakani, Majid
Born in 1939 in Kalakan of Kohdaman. He attended Amania High School. He was
one of the founders of Sho'la-e Javed Party (the Maoist Party) in 1968. He spent
much of his life in hiding during Daud's era. After the April coup of 1978, he
established Sazman-e Azadibakhsh-e Mardom-e-Afghanistan (Organization for the
Liberation of the Afghan People). He was arrested in 1980 and subsequently
executed by the Communist regime.
Karmal, Babrak
Born in 1929 in Kabul. He was one of the founders of the People's Democratic
Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) in 1964. Because of differences with Taraki, Karmal
led his own faction of the PDPA known as Parcham (flag). He was elected to the
Parliament in 1965 and again in 1969. In 1977, he reunited with the Khalq
faction of the PDPA under Taraki's leadership. In 1978, he was arrested with the
rest of the PDPA leadership by Daud's regime. After the Communists' coup in
1978, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. In July 1978, the Khalq faction of
the PDPA purged their ranks of the members of the Parcham faction that resulted
in Karmal's appointment as the Afghan ambassador to then Czechoslovakia. On
December 27 of 1979, Karmal was brought to power by the invading Soviet troops.
He remained as Afghanistan's president until 1986. Due to changes in Soviet
policy towards Afghanistan, Karmal was replaced by Najibullah. Karmal moved to
Moscow, but after the Soviet troops' withdrawal returned to Afghanistan. After
the communist government's fall in 1992, he moved to Mazar under Dostum's
protection. Later he moved to Moscow. He died in 1996 due to a liver disease.
His body was returned to Hairatan and buried there. Babrak was known among the
Afghans as the most infamous ruler because he was brought to power by the
invading Red Army. In order to gather support for himslf among the Pashtuns in
the Afghan Armed Forces, he procalimed that he belonged to the Pashun ethnic
group. However, some have argued that he was a Tajik.
Faiz Mohammed Kateb
"Hazara"
Historian, writer and intellectual, Faiz Mohammed "Hazara" was among
the renown group of Afghans seeking social and political changes in the country,
at the beginning of the 20th century. He was a member of what became known as
Junbish-i Mashrutyat or The Constitutionalist Movement.
He is the son of Sa'eed Mohammed Hazara of Ghazni province. Born in 1881 AD,
Faiz Mohammed is, perhaps best known for his history book of Afghanistan called
"Sarajul Tawarikh", which provides one of the best references on the
19th century Afghan history.
The book was written by the encouragement of the court of Amir Habibullah Khan.
He was a court clerk, initially, thus the title of Kateb( clerk) in his name.
Faiz Mohammed was also the biographer of the Amir. Amir Habibullah Khan
imprisoned him in Sherpur for his political activities and his role in the
Constitutionalists Movement. But was soon released by the Amir due to their
personal friendship and for having labored to author the famous Sirajul Tawarikh.
Beside Sirajul Tawarikh (5 volumes), he worte the following books:
1-Tuhfatul Habib: Afghan History (1747-1880), in two volumes. (The
original script, hand-written by Faiz Mohammed, exists in the National Archive
in Kabul)
2- Faiz-i az Fayoozat
3- Tazkeratul Enqilaab: accounts of the days of Habibullah, Bacha-e Saqaw
4- History of Ancient Prophets/Rulers, from Adam to Jesus (in Dari)
In 1929, Habibullah, Bacha-e Saqaw, issued a decree on the names of the renown
Shiites of Kabul such as Mohammed Ali Jauntier Chandawali, Qazi Shuhaab,
Khalifa Mohmmed Hussein, Ustad Gholam Hassan, and
Faiz Mohammad Hazara. They were asked to travel to Dai-Zangi and obtain the
support of the Hazara populace in that area. But the Hazara people refused to do
so, and the Shiite leaders of Kabul city returned without any success.
The disappointed Habibullah then order them punished for failing in their
mission. In the result of the brutal beating, Faiz Mohammad Hazara got sick for
a few days, but later died on Wednesday, 4th-Ramadhan, 1347 Hijri Qamari(
Feb-14-1929)
Keshtmand, Sultan Ali
He was born in 1935 in Kabul. He studied economics at Kabul University. He
was a member of the PDPA, the Parcham faction. After the communist coup of 1978,
he was appointed as the Minster of Planning. In August of the same year, he was
arrested for plotting against Taraki's regime. He was sentenced to fifteen years
imprisonment. After the Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan, he became a member of
the polite-bureau and later was appointed as the Prime Minister. He served in
that capacity until 1988. In 1990, he was appointed as the first Vice President
of the Republic of Afghanistan. In 1991, he was dismissed from his position.
After his dismissal, he returned to Moscow and subsequently moved to England.
While abraod, Keshtmand, who belongs to the Hazarah ethnic group, has charged
that Afghanistan has been ruled by the Pashtuns and that the minorties have been
under-represented in past Afghan governments.
Khaibar, Mir Akbar
Born in 1925 in Logar. He attended military school in Kabul. He was one of
the founding members of the PDPA and belonged to the Parcham faction. He served
as the editor of the Parcham (Banner) paper. He was assassinated on April 17,
1978. His assassination resulted in a large demonstration in Kabul staged by his
party's activists. He was considered an idiologue of the Parcham faction. Thus,
he was referred to as "Ustad" (teacher) by his colleagues.
Khales, Mohammad Yonus
Born in 1919 in Khogiani of Nangrahar province. He received his education in
Islamic law and theology. After Daud's coup in 1973, he fled to Pakistan and
joined Hekmatyar. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Khales defected from
Hekmatyar's Hezb-e Islami (Islamic Party) and established his own party under
the same name. He was perhaps the only Afghan leader who frequently entered
Afghanistan to join his forces in waging a holy war against the Russians and
their local lackeys. After the Communists' fall in 1992, Khales was part of the
Islamic Interim government. He was one of the members of the Shuraa-ye Qiyaadi
(Leadership Council), but held no other offical post. However, instead of moving
to Kabul, he stayed behind in his home province, Nangrahar. His party controlled
major parts of this politically and strategically important province. However,
the Taliban brought the province under their command in September of 1996. He
has unoffically been supportive of the Taliban movement. Khales now resides in
Pakistan.
Khalili, Abdul Karim
Head of the Shi'a party called Hezb-e Wahdat-e Islami (the Islamic Unity
Party). His main base is located in Bamyan Province in central Afghanistan.
He is a powerful member of a loose alliance against the Taliban called the
Northern Alliance. In summer of 1998, the Taliban have dealt his forces one
military defeat after another in Northern Afgnaistan. His forces and that of his
alleys were driven out of the provinces of Jozjan, Sare Pol, balkh, Samangan and
Baghlan. Later, the Taliban were able to capture his main bastion, Bamyain.
Since then, Khalili has mostly been staying in Iran. According to a latest
report by the Taliban's mouth-piece, Dharb-e Mo'men, Khalili has moved to
England.
Khalili, Khalilullah
Born in Kabul. His father was executed during Amanullha Khan's reign. He held
various jobs under Bacha-e Saqao's government, but was exiled to Tashkent after
Bacha-e Saqao's fall. Later, he returned to Herat. In 1944, Khalili and his
family were imprisoned as supporters of the Safi revolt. He was exiled to
Kandahar, but later returned to Kabul. In 1948, he was a lecturer at Kabul
University. In 1951, he was appointed Minister of Press and Information. In
1965, he was elected to the Parliament. Between 1969 and 1978, he served as the
Afghan ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He left Afghanistan after the
Communists' coup. He died in Pakistan in 1987. Khalili was one of the most
famous and acclaimed Afghan poets and writers. Several of his poetry collections
have been published. His poetry is widely read by most Afghans.
Khalili, Mas'd
He is son of the famous Afghan poet Khalilullah Khalili. He is a member of
the Jami'at-e Islami party. During the eighties, he worked in the political
office of Jami'at's party. After the fall of Kabult to the Mujahideen in 1992,
he held various jobs in Rabbani's administration. Since Kabul's fall to the
Taliban in 1996, he has been serving as the deposed government's ambassador to
India.
Kohzad, Ahmad Ali
Born in 1907. He graduated from Istiqlal High school. He was one of the most
famous Afghan historian and writers. He is the author of numerous books and
articles dealing with pre-Islamic Afghan history. Through out his career, he
served as the head of Pashto Tolana, Historical Society of Afghanistan, and
Kabul Museum. He died on November 25, 1983.
He also was President of Afghanistan Historical Society from 1321 to 1342.
Some of his works:
-
A History of Afghanistan, Volume I, Historical Society of Afghanistan,
1325 (1946) Persian edition, 1338 Pashto edition.
-
A History of Afghanistan , Volume II, Historical Society of
Afghanistan, 1325 (1946) Persian edition, 1339 Pashto edition.
-
Bala Hisar-i- Kabul wa Pesh-Amad-Hai- Tarikhi, Vol I and II, 1336.
-
Afghanistan Dar Partaw Tarikh ( Afghanistan in Light of History), Moassesa
Chap Ketab, Kabul, 1346.
-
Lashkargah, Afghanistan Historical Society.
-
Rejal wa Roydad hai Tarikhi, Afghanistan Historical Society.
-
Dar Zawayaye Tarikh Moaser-i- Afghanistan, Afghanistan Historical Society.
-
Men and Events, Afghanistan Historical Society, English.
-
Afghanistan Through the 18 and 19th Centuries, Afghanistan Historical
Society, English.
-
Afghanistan Dar Shnama, Moasesa Chap Ketab, Kabul, 1355.
-
Kabul, Afghan Tourism Organization, English.
-
Rahnumai Bamiyan, Afghan Tourism Organization, English.
-
Asar-i- Atiqa Budai Bamyian, Translated from French.
Malalai
Legendary Afghan woman who participated in the battle of Maiwand against the
British troops in 1880. It is narrated that she used her veil as a banner to
encourage the Afghan warriors in the battle against the invaders.
Maiwandwal (Shaheed),
Mohammad Hashim
Prime Minister (1965-67) and founder of the Progressive Democratic Movement (jami'at-e
demorkart-e motaraqi), whose mission he announced on Radio Afghanistan in August
1966. It recognized Zahir Shah as the "personification of nation
unity" and advocated a program of action "in accordance with the
principles of Islam, constitutional monarchy, nationalism, democracy and
socialism" and aimed at reforms in the "economic, social, cultural,
civic, moral and spiritual spheres" of Afghan national life. He published
the weekly Dari/Pashto newspaper Massawat in January 1967 to propagate his
ideas. He resigned in 1967 because of ill health. Born in 1919 and educated at
Habibia High School in Kabul, he embarked on a career as editor of Itifaq-e
Islam
(Agreement of Islam, 1942-45) in Herat and subsequently as editor of the daily
newspaper Anis. President of the press department, 1951. He served as deputy
minister of Foreign Affairs in 1955 and as ambassador to Britain (1956),
Pakistan (1957-58), the United States (1958-63), and again Pakistan (1963). He
was imprisoned when Muhammad Daud took power in a palace coup in 1973 and was
killed in jail, under torture. Daud's regime announced that he had committed
suicide but sentenced him posthumously to death in December 1973.
Source of the above dates and events: Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan,
Second Edition, Ludwig W. Adamec: 210
Majroh, Sayed Baha'uddin
Born in 1928 in Kunar. Completed his studies in Isteqlal High School and then
at the University of Paris, University of London and Munich University. He
served as the professor of Philosophy and Sociology at Kabul University. He was
appointed the Governor of Kapisa in 1964. He became President of Afghan
Historical Society in 1972. After the April coup of 1978, he fled to Pakistan
and established the Afghan Information Center. He was assassinated in 1988 in
Peshawar, allegedly by Hizb-e Islami (Islamic party) of Hekmatyar.
Mas'ud, Ahmad Shah
Born in 1953 in Panjsher. He received his education in Isteqlal High School.
Then he attended Kabul's Polytechnic Institute for over a year. After Daud's
takeover of the government in 1973, he fled to Pakistan. There he was trained as
a saboteur by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's government. In 1975, under ISI's directives,
he returned to Panjsher in order to destabilize Daud's government. After his
failure, Mas'ud returned to Pakistan. After the communist coup of 1978, Mas'ud
joined Burahanuddin Rabbani and returned to Afghanistan. With the help of
Mawlawi Abdul Razaq of Nuristan, he established his bases in Panjsher. He was
instrumental in driving the puppet government and the Russians out of the
valley. However, in 1983 he signed a truce with the Russians that lasted until
1985. Mas'ud is one of the most organized and disciplined figures among the
resistance leaders. In 1985, he established Shora-e Nizar (Supervisory Council)
which oversaw military and administrative affairs in a vast area extending from
Panjsher to Badakhshan. After the Soviet troop withdrawal, he was the first to
expand his military control in areas north of Kabul and northern Afghanistan.
With the help of Iran, Mas'ud was a key player in establishing Ittehad-e Samt-e
Shamal (Northern Alliance) in early 1992. He helped Dostum capture most of Kabul
after Najibullah's fall in April of 1992. He assumed the post of Defense
Minister in the first government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. But
soon he engaged in power struggle first with Hekmatyar and Hezbe-e Wahdat and
then with Dostum. Eventually, his forces wrested control of Kabul City form his
rivals. In September 1996, Mas'ud lost control of Kabul to Taliban. He retreated
to the areas north of Kabul and his main base in Panjsher. Since then, he has
been engaged in military confrontations with the Taliban north of Kabul and in
northern Afghanistan in the provinces of Konduz, Takhar, and Baghlan. Mas'ud is
a battle hardened commander who has been a key player in the ongoing Afghan
saga. He has been dubbed 'the lion of Panjsher by his admirers for his role in
the war against the Russian soldiers.
Mazari, Abdul Ali
He became the head of the Wahdat party (Unity party) a coalition of seven
Iran based Shi'a parties. As the party's leader, he allied himself with Mas'ud
and Dostum prior to the fall of Kabul to the Mujahideen in April of 1992. After
Kabul's fall, his party established control over areas to the west and southwest
of the capital. In 1993, Mazari developed differences with Mas'ud and Rabbani.
He, then, allied himself with Hekmatyar and Dostum. In 1995, he surrendered to
Taliban, but was killed in captivity soon after on March 13, 1995. He was body
was carried to Mazar and buried there.
(Mullah) Mohammad Hassan
(Sardar) Mohammad Daud
Ruled Afghanistan as President 1973-78. Born 1909 in Kabul. He graduated from
Amania High school. In 1931, he attended Infantry Officer's School. He held
various highs ranking military and civilian positions through out the thirties
and forties. He served as Minster of Interior in 1949-50. He was Afghanistan's
Prime Minister from 1953 to '63. He attempted a palace coup in July of 1973
against his cousin, Mohammad Zahir Shah, Afghanistan's and abolished monarchy.
He was killed in the April coup of 1978 by the Communists. Daud Khan was a
progressive minded nationalist. He supported the removal of women's veil in
1959. He adopted the first five-year plan for Afghanistan's development.
Mohammad Nadir Shah
King of Afghanistan 1929-33. Born in 1883. He chose military as his carrier.
He commanded the government forces against the Mangals in 1912. He was
awarded the title General for his services. He was appointed Commander-in-chief
in 1914. He commanded the Afghan troops in Paktia in third Anglo-Afghan War 1n
1919. He was appointed Minister of War in 1919. Due to policy differences with
King Amanullah, Nadir Khan was appointed Afghan minister to Paris in 1924. After
King Amanullah was overthrown by Bacha-e Saqao, Nadir Khan returned to
Afghanistan via India with his brothers Shah Wali Khan and Shah Mahmud Khan. He
amassed tribal troops and attacked Kabul. After initial setbacks, his brother
Shah Wali Khan finally managed to capture Kabul in October of 1929. Two days
later, Nadir Khan was proclaimed Afghanistan's King. He fought those who favored
the return of King Amanullah. He executed Ghulam Nabi, a supporter of King
Amanullah. He was assassinated in 1933 by a student. During his reign, Nadir
Khan reopened many schools. He established faculty of Medicine, which later
became Kabul University with the addition of a few more faculties.
(Mullah) Mohammad Omar
He is the leader of the Taliban movement. He was born in Kandahar. During the
Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Mullah Omar fought against the communists and
the invading Russian forces. He was wounded and lost one of his eyes in the
process. He was virtually unknown among the Afghans till 1994 when he led a
small number of Talibs against local warlords. In a lightening speed, Mullah
Omar and his colleagues were able to capture Kandahar. Since then, the Taliban
have captured most of Afghanistan. As the Amir of Afghanistan, Mullah Omar is
yet to visit the capital or any other province of Afghanistan for that matter.
Omar has strong ties with radical Islamists such as Bin Laden. He has been harsh
in implementing the edicts of Islam in Afghanistan. He is married and has four
wives.
(Mullah) Mohammad Rabbani
Rabbani is the second in command of the Taliban movement behind Mullah Omar.
He is the head of the Council which is in charge of the Taliban's government in
Kabul.
(Dr.) Mohammad Yosuf
Born in 1917 in Kabul. He graduated from Nejat High School. Received his Ph.
D. in physics from Germany. He served as a professor at Kabul University. Became
Deputy Minister of Education in 1949. He was appointed Afghanistan's Prime
Minister in 1963. After his resignation as Prime Minister, he was appointed
Afghanistan's ambassador to Germany, 1966-73. After the Communists' coup in
1978, he left Afghanistan. He was actively campaigning against the communist
regime and their Russian patrons throughout the eighties and nineties. He died
in Germany in on January 23, 1998.
Mohammad Zahir Shah
King of Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973. He was born on October 15, 1914. He
received his education in Kabul and Paris. He was named Afghanistan's King hours
after his father's assassination in 1933. Although he was the King, but his
uncles Mohammad Hashim and Shah Mahmud Khan ruled the country in the thirties
and forties. In 1964, the King signed a new constitution that barred all members
of the royal family from holding government positions. Although he never
ratified the law on parties, but he tolerated the establishment and operation of
political parties. He allowed free election to the parliament and relatively
free press. During his reign, Kabul achieved considerable growth. However the
rest of the country was underdeveloped. Zahir Shah was overthrown by his cousin
Daud Khan in July of 1973 while he was on medical treatment in Italy. He has
been living in Italy since. Zahir Shah and most of his family members were
stripped of Afghanistan's citizenship by the communist government of Taraki.
Zahir Khan has not been to Afghanistan since being deposed. Neither he has
played an active role in the political scene of Afghanistan. His participation
in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan is restricted to a few declarations
demanding for the cessation of hostilities and the return of peace and stability
to his homeland. Towards this end, he sent his nephew, Abdul Wali, to Pakistan
to meet with influential Afghans there. Currently, he has been planning to
convene a meeting of influential Afghans in Rome in Nov., 1999, in order to pave
the way for convening a Loya Jirga (grand assembly).
Mohammadi, (Mawlawi) Mohammad Nabi
Mohaqeq, Haji (Ayatullah)
Mohammad
A high ranking official of Hizb-e Whdat (Unity Party). He has been a staunch
opponent of the Taliban. He led a fierce attack on the Taliban in May 1997,
which freed Mazar-e Sharif of Taliban's control.
Mohsini, (Ayatullah)
Shekh Mohammad Asef
Born in 1935 in Kandahar, he studied at Najaf, Iraq and was given the highest
position of the religious hierarchy (Ayatollah) of the Shi'ite. He was an early
Islamist leader and has authored over twenty books on moral,
social and religious subjects, particularly of the Jafari jurisprudence in
Islam. He founded the Harakat-i-Islami resistance group in 1978. His group
played a major role in the uprisings in Kabul in 1980. Despite his religous
affiliation, he has had poor relations with Iran, whose government once expelled
his organization.
Motawakil, (Mawlawi) Wakil
Ahmad
A top Taliban official. He is from Kandahar. He has served in the Taliban's
administration as as Mullah Omar's political advisor and spokesperson. He has
served as the head of the Taliban's delegation in negotiations with the
opposition forces in 1997 and 1999. He was appointed as the minister of foreign
affairs in the latest shuffle in Taliban's administration (Oct., 1999).
Mottaqi, Amir Khan
He is in his early thirties. He has been an important figure in Taliban's
administration. He was the minister of information and culture in Taliban's
administrtion till Oct., 1999. At present he has been appointed the head of the
official departemnt. He has played an important role in consolidating Taliban's
military and political grip over the country. In May, 1997, after Mazar's fall,
Muttaqi led a force of three thousand Talibs through the Salang pass in an
attempt to join his triumphant colleagues in the newely conquered city, but his
march was cut short when the Taliban were ousted from Mazar. He then retrned to
Pol-e Khomri and subsequently joined pro-Taliban forces in Kunduz.
Mujaddadi, Sebghatullah
Born in 1929, he is a member of the religious family, whose father's first
cousin was the last member of his family to be the main pir of Naqshbandi order
in Afghanistan. Mujadidi graduated from the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo and
taught at Habibia High School after his graduation. In the 60's he spent 3 years
in jail for opposing the government's pro-Soviet stand. In 1979 he founded the
Afghan National Liberation Front (ANLF). In 1989 he was selected the head of the
Interim Islamic State of Afghanistan. He served as the Acting President of
Islamic State of Afghanistan from April-June, 1992.
Mujahid, Abdul Hakim
Taliban's representative in the United Nations.
Nahid
A symbol of Afghan women's struggle against the communists and the invading
Red Army. She was shot by the communist regime's soldiers while marching at the
forefront of a demonstration staged by high school and college girls in May of
1980.
(Dr). Najibullah
Born in 1947 in Kabul. He graduated form Habibia High School. He received his
degree in Medicine from Kabul University in 1975. He was a member of the Parcham
faction of the PDPA. Due to his large physique, he was referred to as Najib-e
Gaw (Najib, the Bull) by his opponents. After the April coup, he was appointed
as the Afghan ambassador to Tehran. However, like the rest of the Parcham
members, he was dismissed from his position by Taraki after few months. He
returned to Kabul with Karmal after the Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. In
1980, he was appointed the head of Khad, the dreaded secret police organization.
Under Najibullah's directions, Khad arrested, imprisoned, tortured and finally
executed tens of thousands of Afghans throughout the eighties. Najibullah
replaced Karmal as Afghanistan's President in 1986 after a shift in Soviet
Union's policy towards Afghanistan. Under his Presidency, Najibullah shuffled
the government twice by bringing in new members. However, by 1992, most of his
comrades and supporters deserted him. In April of 1992, Najibullah agreed to
step down in favor of a neutral transitional government under a United Nation
brokered deal. However the deal never materialized as different Mujahideen
groups vied for control of the capital, Kabul. Najibullah sensing his demise
tried to leave Kabul in a UN plane, but his departure was blocked by the
soldiers of his one time ally Abdul Rashid Dostum. Najibullah returned and
sought refuge in the UN compound in Kabul. He remained there until September of
1996 when the Taliban captured Kabul. As soon as Kabul was captured, the Taliban
dragged Najibullah from the UN compound, executed him and let him hanging in the
center of the town for two days.
Prof.. Dr. Ghulam Miham Nasir
Professor of Civil Engineering at Faculty of Engineering Kabul University. He
works at California Department of Transport.
Nuristani, Abdul Qadir
He was born in Nuristan. He graduated from the Afghan police academy. Qadir
participated in the palce coup of 1973. He was the chief of police force from
1973 to 1975. Then, he was promoted as the the post of ministry of Interior. He
was a staunch loyalist of Daud Khan. He remained by Daud Kahn's side on the day
when the communists launched their coup in 1978 and was subsequently killed
together with Daud Khan by the communists.
Nuristani, Abdul Walkil
Born in Nuristan. He attended to Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. He was appointed the
commander of Kandahar garrison in 1913. He was promoted to major General by
Amanullah in March of 1919. In the Third Anglo-Afghan War, he successfully
commanded the Afghan forces in Kunar and in the Chitral front. He served as Naib
Salar of Badakhshan and Qataghan. He was called to Kabul during the rebellion in
1928. He was killed while in command of Kohdaman pacification after Bacha-e
Saqao's execution. A memorial monument is built in his honor in Deh Mazang at
the point where Darul Aman Avenue branches off.
Niazi, Ghulam Mohammad
Niazi was born in 1932 in the village of Raheem Khel in the district of Ander
in Ghazni province. He received his education at the Abu Hanifa Theological
school in Kabul. He continued with his education at the Al Azhar University in
Cairo. He received his master’s degree from there. While in Cairo, Niazi was
influenced by the teachings of the Ikhwan ul-Muslimin (Islamic Brotherhood) and
Sayed Qutb. Upon his return to Afghanistan, Niazi established his own
underground cells and recruited a number of religious students. His endeavor
resulted in the establishment of the Jami’at-e Islami-e Afghanistan party,
which is headed now by Burhanuddin Rabbani, a one time Niazi student Niazi was
first a professor and then the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Kabul
University. He was arrested in 1974. He was executed by the Khalqis in 1978.
Panjsheri, Dastagir
Dastagir Panjsheri was born in 1933 in the district of Panjsher. He received
his B. A. from the Faculty of Literature at Kabul University. In 1965, he was
one of the participants of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan and
was chosen a member of its Central Committee. After the PDPA’s split in 1967,
he was first with the Parcham faction, but later switched sides and joined the
Khalq faction. He is also said to have been leading another leftist organization
called Goroh-e Kar ‘the Labour Group). After the Communists coup in 1978,
Panjsheri was appointed minister of Education, and later minister of Public
Works. After the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Panjsheri held various low
ranking jobs in Karmal's puppet government.
Rabbani, Burhanuddin
Rabbani was born in 1940 in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province. He
received his B. A. in theology from Kabul University in 1963. He obtained his M.
A. in the same field of study from Al-Azhar University in Cairo in 1968. After
completing his studies, he started teaching at Kabul University. He was a
closely associated with the Islamic movement and its founders while he was at
the University. He was active in organizing university students against the
secular policies and the leftist movements. In 1972, he succeeded Ghulam
Mohammad Niazi as the leader of the Jami’at-e Islami Party. In 1974, when the
government started cracking down on Islamic radicals, he fled to Pakistan where
he sought Pakistan’s government’s support against Daud’s regime. After the
communist coup in 1978, Rabbani continued his struggle against the Communists
and later on against the invading Soviet Army. In April 1992, Rabbani’s forces
under Commander Ahmad Shah Mas’ud entered Kabul and took control of the
government. In March of 1993, Rabbani became the President of Afghanistan.
However, his presidency was marred by continuous fighting between his forces and
other factions led by Hekmatyar, Dostam and Mazari. In September of 1996,
Rabbani ‘s government was forced to retreat form the capital by the advancing
Taliban forces. He left Kabul for northern Afghanistan. Although he declared
Mazar-e Sharif as the country’s temporary capital, Rabbani has been spending
most of his time in his home province of Badakhshan. Rabbani is still the
nominal president of Afghanistan.
Mohammad Rafi’
He was born in 1946 in Paghman, Kabul. He belonged to the Kharotai clan of
the Ghilzai tribe. He completed his education in the Military Academy of
Afghanistan. In 1973, he joined the PDPA. He belonged to the Parcham faction. He
became Minister of Public Works after the Communists took over in 1978. However,
after tow months he was removed from his post with the rest of the members of
the Parcham faction. Later on he was accused of plotting against the government
and sentenced to twenty years in prison by Taraki's regime. After the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan, Rafi’ held the post of Ministry of Defense in
Karmal’s cabinet, 1980-82. He held the same post from 1986 to 1988. In Najib's
government, Rafi’s served as the Vice President. After Najib’s downfall,
Rafi's joined Hekmatyar, but soon after left the country for abroad.
Prof. A. Satar Sirat
Head of Afghan Supreme Court during Zahir Shah's regime. Close advisor of the
former king.
Shams, Shamsul Huda
Shamsul Huda Shams was president of his own faction of Afghan Social Democratic
Party (Well Know as Afghan Mellat). Born in 1939 in Kunar province of Afghanistan,
Shams got his primary education in his hometown Noorgal before leaving for
Kabul, where he graduated from Kabul Military College. He served in the Afghan
National Army for some years and eventually joined the ministry of Interior
as Major. From his early youth Shams had nationalist and democratic views and
that was the primary reason of motivating him to join Afghan Mellat Party soon
after it was founded in 1967 by Engineer Ghulam Mohammad Farhad. From the day
he became member of Afghan Mellat Party; Shams actively involved himself in
party affairs and soon rose to prominence.
In 1984, Afghan Mellat founding president, Ghulam Mohammad Farhad died and
in early 1987 the party congress elected Shams as its new president in recognition
of his great services to the party. However, some members of the party refused
to accept the electoral results and hence Afghan Mellat was split into three
factions and Shams was leading the major faction. It is Wakman’s faction
that is presently led by Afghan Finance Minister Anwar Ul Haq Ahady.
It was Shams who established a base for his party in Peshawar during the early
days of communist take-over in the country. He courageously led his party in
the face of strong opposition from religious extremist parties on one hand
and incumbent communist regime on the other. Shams had an uncompromising attitude
towards communism and that is why he never agreed to strike a deal with the
communist regime in Kabul in spite of repeated attempts by the latter, up to
the point of offering a cabinet position. Shams had one guiding principle in
his political life; never to compromise on party ideals. Shams was in favor
of the establishment of a modern democratic government in the country which
could retain its National Islamic character. Shams was against the successive
regimes of religious parties including that of the Taliban backed by Pakistan.
He was a great supporter of national unity and solidarity.
While in Peshawar, Shams continued to publish his party newspaper “Afghan
Mellat” which published articles that produced nationalistic sentiments
and called for democratic development in the war-ravaged Afghanistan. Besides
writing in his party journal, shams also contributed scholarly articles and
essays to other newspapers and journals. A unique feature in his writings was
that he wrote fearlessly describing facts without any expediency.
Shamsul Huda Shams died on October 9, 2005 and was buried in his ancestral
graveyard in Kunar Province. Shams’s tragic death was widely condoled
by large number of political figures of Afghanistan and Pakistan. After the
death of Shamsul Huda Shams, the party held an emergency convention and elected
Engineer Ajmal Shams as the new Afghan Mellat Party president. Ajmal Shams,
an environmental engineer by profession holds a master degree from South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology, USA and has served as environmental engineer
in the state of Florida. Ajmal has published articles in English and Pashto
newspapers. Ajmal speaks fluent English, Pashto, Persian and Urdu languages.
Eshaq Sharyar
Afghan engineer and entrepreneurs living in the U.S. for the past 35 years.
Abdul Raheem Sherzoi
Former Afghan Diplomat. He was Afghan Ambassador in Pakistan.
Taraki, Noor Mohammad
Tarzi, Mahmud
Ulfat, Gul Pach
Azizulah Wassefi
Representative of Kandahar in Woolosi Jirga (Lower House of Representatives)
during Zahir Shah's regime. In 1975, he replaced Jilanee Bakhtaree as the
Minister of Agriculture after the shakeup in Pres. Daud's cabinet. After King
Zaher Shah was deposed by his cousin, Mohammad Daud, Mr.Wassefi was the speaker
of the rubber stamping Loya Jirga orchestrated by the then President Daud to
extend and legitimize his dictatorship (1977). As of late he is considered a
close advisor to the former King in Rome.
Ya'qubi, (Gen.) Gholam Farooq
Zabuli, Abdul Majid
King Mohammad Zaher Shah - see under letter M