In his bestseller book ‘Sapiens’, Yuval Harari dives deep into the characteristics of humans that separate us from other living beings. This characteristic has evolved over not just decades or centuries but over millennia, helping us (humans) become super creatures, at least in our theory. He stresses that ‘cooperation’ has brought people of different ages, ideologies, and races together to address some of the pressing issues. The world has become globalized because we can cooperate and get inspired by a goal or super figures, which is uncommon in the animal kingdom. Humans have solved the greatest mysteries and issues that cause barriers to our growth and have eradicated threats that have threatened our survival. He mentions that people living in different geographies have been unified under 3 major orders: a) political order, b) financial order, and 3) religious order. These orders represent the ways in which humans organize their societies through understanding and cooperation.
Today, we follow religions that were introduced hundreds or thousands of years ago. People living thousands of kilometers apart share similar political belief systems, which they think, if institutionalized, will bring about prosperity for them. While currencies like the dollar, pound, yen etc., are exchanged for products and services across different geographies. These orders have shaped our past, define our present and will continue to influence our future as human beings at the global spectrum. In the same way, nations are built, guided, and transformed for global identity. And our story of identify started with the brutal massacre and displacement of thousands of Hazaras in the hands of Abdur Rahman in the 1890s. However, the true meaning of being a Hazara was defined by Abdul Ali Mazari, whose unwavering resistance against oppression and fight for justice made him the leader we needed. He became the voice of our resistance, the unifier and justice-seeker for the future of Afghanistan.
The Hazara community has always remained marginalized in Afghanistan facing religious but mainly ethnic discrimination, the roots of which date back to the atrocities of Abdur Rahman. Baba Mazari committed to unit the Hazaras across Afghanistan regardless of their religious beliefs and geography. That was the major threat to the adversaries to see a united minority group. Mazari’s resistance to foreign occupation then his mission to unite a deeply divided Afghanistan made him not just leader of the Hazara community by wider Afghanistan. He wanted political order for all. But the political climate was unjust, and he lost his life in the most inhumane way. Abdul Ali Mazari, also known as Baba Mazari, was not just a freedom fighter, he symbolized the struggle for equality, human dignity, and solidarity in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s history is replete with ailed leadership causing conflicts and instability. And Baba Mazari believed that Afghanistan could flourish if everyone accepts unity and order is woven into the very foundations of our society. The Hazara community and Afghanistan always remembers his sacrifice if you admit it or otherwise. His sacrifice made him more popular not just in Afghanistan but across the world. Not an overstatement but a fact as the participation of non-Hazaras in his Martyrdom anniversary is prominent wherever an event is hosted. One such event was organized in Auckland, New Zealand on March 15, 2025.
Women, young Afghans, and visitors from various political backgrounds attended the ceremony. The varied turnout shows gratitude for Baba’s sacrifices. As they discussed their experiences working with and for Baba Mazari, his attempts to give Hazaras a proud identity, and his works for the weak and marginalized, the content of each speech was equally important. In order to achieve political status in their home nation, they urged the audience to remember Baba and his companions’ mission by promoting unity, fostering resilience, and mainstreaming cooperation with other ethnic groups. And I personally believe the reason behind Afghanistan’s another collapse was weak leadership which did not represent all ethnic groups; hence, lack of trust led to the rise of extremists who capitalized on the discontent population. The speeches were both in English and Dari/ Persian and every speaker acknowledged that Baba Mazari was forging a vision of unified Afghanistan and spoke of inter-ethnic cooperation built based on alliances with other Afghan ethnic groups: Pashtuns, Tajiks and Uzbeks. Since the same group that executed him in 1995 has taken over Afghanistan, we must honor his sacrifice. And what happened to the minority under their rule was seen by the entire world. Baba Mazari’s memory gives us the moral authority and fortitude to carry on the struggle for unity, justice, and equality.
Phil Twyford, Member of Parliament for Labour Party spoke about Baba Mazari’s efforts against the systematic oppression against Hazaras and giving equal rights to women and girls. He outlined that Mazari’s legacy should be celebrated because he stood for universal good. Referring to the legendry American activist Joe Hill “Don’t mourn, organize!”, Phil underlined the need of excellent leadership as pillar of peace and stability in any part of the world. While, the former Deputy President of Afghanistan, Mr. Sarwar Danish spoke about Baba Mazari not just a political leader but a man of principle and integrity who believed in the power of dialogue and cooperation among all ethnic groups. Mr. Danish explained that Baba Mazari’s political efforts focused on: i) recognizing Shia as a sect, ii) participation of Hazaras in decision making process and reform in political system of Afghanistan. One of the speakers was Madiha Ali Changezi, whose inspirational speech inspired every member of the audience. She expressed, “a movement grew with baba Mazari’s sacrifice that cultivated the spirit of resistance and his name stands taller than those who took his life”. She reminded everyone that we have a duty to fight not with hatred but with knowledge and that that we’re not the children of mountains but of resilience.
Children and young Hazaras dressed in traditional costumes sang poems to honor his dedication in empowering Hazaras, offering hope to the marginalized population and his efforts for nation-building. The voices echoed emotions of every Hazara in the hall and those streaming live via event’s live coverage. I noticed elderly men holding their mobile phones to record the moments because it’ll be a reminder for coming generations that Baba Mazari’s memory lives on. His impact on our lives is profound and his legacy, enduring.
Although the population of Baba Mazari’s followers is small in New Zealand, but their devotion is magnificent. Organizing an event requires motivation beside finances. And I truly appreciate the organizing team for mobilizing resources, engaging with stakeholders, and creating an opportunity to preserve the mission of Baba Mazari and his companions for our generation. And by upholding his legacy, we make sure that his principles of justice, unity and tolerance endure and give hope to everyone who aspires to a better Afghanistan, where political and religious order is preserved, and economic order becomes attainable.
Long Live the name, Abdul Ali Mazari.
Jawad Jahid
