Baba Abdul Ali Mazari- The Father of Hazara Nation

My Hazara nation is known for fighting the monster of terrorism. It has a long history of struggle and courage. We Hazaras are strong-headed people. We survived Abdur Rehman’s massacre in 1960s, when he took innocent lives of 60% of the Hazaras. We are those peaceful people who are fighting against sectarian violence for almost 10 years. Our tribe lost 1400 lives in this tenure and not a single culprit is punished till date, which is itself a big question mark over the “true” will of governments to protect the Pakistani people.

There was a similar scenario, the same challenge when Hazaras of Afghanistan were facing the identity crisis. Back in the past, being Hazara was a crime in Afghanistan. Calling yourself Hazara was a license to death.

At that time when Hazaras were facing the extreme level of frustration, low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, anxiety and lots of insecurities, a leader rose among them. He was fearless and an intellectual. He was courageous and committed to the core. He was visionary seeing the future of Hazaras beyond the boundaries of time. He was the one who raised the slogan of “Being Hazara should not be a crime any more.” This was a milestone to identity and the struggle to better the lives of Hazara people.

He knew that life with out pride and social equality is nothing but a hell to live in. He fought for this agenda through out his life. Baba Mazarin’s mission became the aim of every Hazara and continues till date. 

The legend and Hazara’s beloved leader Abdul Ali Mazari was born in the village named Cherkent, Afghanistan in 1947. He got his early education from his native place and later on went to Qom, Iran in order to be a religious scholar. After returning to Afghanistan he became a key figure in anti soviet movement. Soon he founded a party by the name of Hizb-e-Wahdat. The point we must note here that Baba Mazari lost his whole family in this struggle. This brutal act of political victimization took the lives of his father, two brothers and a son. When the resistance period was over, negotiations for making a government started. Baba Mazari claimed that Hazaras formed 25 percent of the population of Afghanistan, and that Hezb-i Wahdat was their representative. He demanded the one fourth of the cabinet seats be given to his party.

A good step to get the due rights of Hazaras in Afghanistan.

He was negotiating with Taliban. It was decided that none of the parties would hold any weapons and the negotiations will be purely in peaceful environment but no body knew that this was the trap to kill this great leader of Hazaras not only but a great personality of Afghanistan too. They captured Baba Mazari the messenger of peace and solidarity. Political and ambassadorial efforts were made to release him but all in vein since enemies made their minds to eliminate the leader of the poor.

Baba Mazari along his companions were tortured and killed so brutally on 13 March,1995. Taliban’s thirst for blood and their grudge against Shia Hazaras were not satisfied yet. So, father of the nation’s dead body was dropped down from a Helicopter.

Taliban took the life of a leader but they can’t stop his message, his mission. Baba Mazari’s martyrdom embarked a new era in struggle for equality and justice. He said,” No society can survive without equality, tolerance, social justice, and brotherhood.” He was an intellectual; he grasped the question that what was important to build a modern Afghanistan?

Afghanistan where every person regardless of what race he belongs, should be given equal rights to excel and live a best possible life. That’s why we find him saying” We do not care for ones looks (or race).We only want that our people have a role  in their political destiny.”

The people of Hazara nation have infinite love and respect for Baba Mazari. He belonged from most deprived nation of the world. He worked till last breath for them. Whole nation became sadden by his sudden dismissal. They were in Trauma. Snatching such a dedicated leader was another act of cruelty.

The heavyhearted Hazara men carried his body on foot from Ghazni to Bamiyan and then a Helicopter flew it to Mazar-e-Sharif. Carrying the body on foot between two cities was the demonstration of anger and grief the Hazaras were suffering from at the moment. The event was availed as a chance to show the peacefulness and innocence of a nation who lost their beloved father, their only leader. That’s why He’s called “Baba”. Highest Afghan Government officials and representatives of every tribe attended the funeral.

The enemies of Hazara nation took the life of their beloved leader but they never knew that Baba Mazari left a piece of his mission, his life motto in every Hazara soul.

Despite all the hardships, Hazaras are progressing. They feel proud at being Hazara. Hard work, intelligence and education are their trademark. I think every Hazara is in debt to Baba Mazari until we don’t play our due roles in uniting and building our nation bit by bit every day.