Islam in Afghanistan in the context of "Hindu Shahi"

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⭐ Core Definition: Islam in Afghanistan

Sunni Islam (Hanafi/Deobandi) is the largest and the state religion of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Islam in Afghanistan began to be practiced after the Arab Islamic conquest of Afghanistan from the 7th to the 10th centuries, with the last holdouts to conversion submitting in the late 19th century. It was generally accepted by local communities as a replacement of Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, local tribes began converting to the new religion. Islam is the official state religion of Afghanistan, with approximately 99.7% of the Afghan population being Muslim. Roughly 85% practice Sunni Islam, while around 10% are Shias. Most Shias belong to the Twelver branch and only a smaller number follow Ismailism.

After the Islamic conquest of Persia was completed, the Muslim Arabs then began to move towards the lands east of Persia and in 652 captured Herat. By the end of the 10th century CE the Turkic Ghaznavids subdued Kabul Shahi kings.

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Islam in Afghanistan in the context of History of Afghanistan

The history of Afghanistan covers the development of Afghanistan from ancient times to the establishment of the Emirate of Afghanistan in 1822 and Afghanistan in modern times. This history is largely shared with that of Central Asia, Middle East, and northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Human habitation in Afghanistan dates back to the early Middle Paleolithic era, and the country's strategic location along the historic Silk Road has led it to being described, picturesquely, as the ‘roundabout of the ancient world’. The land has historically been home to various different peoples and has witnessed numerous military campaigns, including those by the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Maurya Empire, Arab Muslims, the Mongols, The Mughal Empire, the British, the Soviet Union, and most recently by a US-led coalition. The various conquests and periods in the Iranian cultural spheres made the area a center for Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, and a small community of Hinduism, and later Islam throughout history.

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Islam in Afghanistan in the context of LGBTQ rights in Afghanistan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Afghan members of the LGBTQ community are forced to keep their gender identity and sexual orientation secret, in fear of violence and the death penalty. The religious nature of the country has limited any opportunity for public discussion, with any mention of homosexuality and related terms deemed taboo.

On 23 January 2025, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Ahmad Khan, requested arrest warrants against Taliban leaders Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani for their persecution of women, girls, and the LGBTQ community, marking the first time the court has recognized crimes against the LGBTQ community.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← History of Afghanistan ← LGBTQ rights in Afghanistan
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Sunni Islam → Hanafi → Deobandi → State religion → Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan → Islamic conquest of Afghanistan → Zoroastrianism → Buddhism → Afghanistan → Demographics of Afghanistan → Muslim → Shia Islam → Twelver → Ismailism → Islamic conquest of Persia → Persia → Herat → Turkic peoples → Ghaznavids → Hindu Shahi →