We – Tajiks – are a Persian-speaking East Iranian nation and are indigenous to various parts of Central Asia, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and even parts of Pakistan and China.
Afghanistan is a diverse country made up of ethnic minorities. Unfortunately, no reputable census has ever been conducted in the country. Current estimates indicate that approximately 30% of Afghanistan’s population is made up of ethnic Tajiks*.
Throughout history, the Tajiks of Afghanistan have been at the forefront of science, philosophy, and poetry. Tajik – figures like Biruni, Maulana (Rumi), and Rabia Balkhi– all from the territories of present day Afghanistan – have left a rich legacy not only in the region but also globally.
Although we have played an important role in the history and culture of Central Asia and Afghanistan, we are underrepresented and we have been deprived of the opportunity to have power over ourselves time and time again by the various rulers of Afghanistan.
The greatest threat to our existence currently is the Taliban – an Islamist and Pashtun nationalist fascist force that is currently enacting both physical genocide and ethnic cleansing of Tajiks, but also cultural genocide in the form of marginalizing our Persian language and customs.
The areas highlighted in green on the map represent provinces thought to consist of a Tajik dense/ Tajik majority population.
- Badakhshan
- Takhar
- Baghlan
- Panjshir
- Parwan
- Kapisa
- Kabul
- Samangan
- Balkh
- Ghor
- Badghis
- Herat
There is also a significant percentage of Tajiks living in many other provinces, particularly in urban areas.
