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This section is here to provide answers to some questions that have been previously discussed on this talk page.
Note: This FAQ is only here to let people know that these points have previously been addressed, not to prevent any further discussion of these issues.
Q1: Why does this article state that the government of Afghanistan is the Islamic Emirate? Isn't that government unrecognized/illegitimate?
A1: Because reliable sources state that the Taliban have taken over. This determination is the result of a discussion among editors in this RfC. A new RfC (Request for Comment) will be required to change this. As an encyclopedia, Wikipedia reflects reliable sources, which may not align with editors' own views on the matter. The threshold for inclusion of material in Wikipedia is verifiability, not truth. Wikipedia is not a place to right great wrongs, such as by determining and advocating the rightful government of a country based on international law.
Q2: The flag is wrong!
A2: Since the sole current government of Afghanistan is that of the Taliban, consensus in this RfC is to identify the current flag of Afghanistan as that of the Taliban. A new RfC (Request for Comment) will be required to change this.
Q3: Why is Afghanistan listed as being in both Central and South Asia? It belongs to only one of those!
A3: Different reliable sources include Afghanistan in either one macroregion, or the other (or in both) depending on the field of study and the perspective taken. This has been discussed many times before.
Q4: Why is the English version of the Shahada given as "There is no god but God"? The god Muslims worship is called Allah.
A4: In accordance with Wikipedia's manual of style, it should be translated fully into English. Specific guidance can be read at MOS:ALLAH.
This article is written in American English, which has its own spelling conventions (color, defense, traveled) and some terms that are used in it may be different or absent from other varieties of English. According to the relevant style guide, this should not be changed without broad consensus.
Afghanistan was one of the Geography and places good articles, but it has been removed from the list. There are suggestions below for improving the article to meet the good article criteria. Once these issues have been addressed, the article can be renominated. Editors may also seek a reassessment of the decision if they believe there was a mistake.
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Miller, F. P., Vandome, A. F., & McBrewster, J. (2009), Demography of Afghanistan: Afghanistan, history of Afghanistan, Afghani (name), people, people, Alphascript Publishing{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Afghanistan is geographically located in Central and West Asia, with cultural and historical ties to the Persianate world, the Middle East, and the Iranian Plateau.[1] Some classifications place Afghanistan in South Asia, albeit such a perspective is largely a political and colonial invention that does not accurately reflect the country's cultural, linguistic, and historical affiliations.[2] Historically, Afghanistan was an integral part of Greater Iran and West Asia, maintaining centuries of interaction with the Arab world, Persia, and Mesopotamia.[3] Classifying Afghanistan under South Asia often stems from political bias rather than geographical or historical facts.
There are many more ethnic groups that have played an important role in Afghanistan's history that are often overlooked.
Afghan Arabs are the descendants of early Arab settlers, traders, and warriors who migrated during the Abbasid and Umayyad periods.[4] They primarily reside in northern and western Afghanistan, particularly in Kunduz, Balkh, and Herat. Although many Afghan Arabs have assimilated into Persian and Pashto-speaking communities, they retain linguistic and cultural influences from the Arabian Peninsula.
The Qizilbash community in Afghanistan traces its roots to Safavid Iran, with many migrating during the 16th and 17th centuries.[5] Originally part of the Safavid military elite, they later became influential in Afghan politics and administration, particularly in Kabul and Herat. Most Qizilbash speak Dari Persian and belong to the Twelver Shia sect.
The Bayats are an Oghuz Turkic-speaking Persian people with historical links to Greater Iran and Iraq.[6] They settled in Afghanistan during the Mongol and Timurid periods and today reside in Herat, Kandahar, and northern Afghanistan. The Bayats have strong cultural affinities with Persian and Arab cultures.
The Farsiwan are Persian-speaking Afghans who have historically inhabited Herat, Farah, and Kandahar.[7] Unlike Tajiks, Farsiwans have retained closer cultural ties to Iran and Mesopotamia. They are predominantly Shia Muslims, although some practice Sunni Islam with strong Sufi traditions.
Kurdish groups have had a presence in Afghanistan since various historical periods, including the Mongol invasions and the Afsharid dynasty.[8] Estimates suggest that between 200,000 to over 300,000 Kurds live in Afghanistan today, primarily in urban areas such as Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Ghazni.[8] Most Afghan Kurds are Sunni Muslims and have assimilated into Afghan society, often speaking Farsi(Dari) as their first language.
Why Bias and Political Narratives Should Not Influence Geography
Afghanistan’s classification under South Asia is largely based on political narratives and colonial-era perspectives. Using biased and political statements in defining a country’s geography:
Misrepresents History – It distorts Afghanistan’s deep-rooted ties to West Asia, the Middle East, and Greater Iran.
Ignores Cultural and Linguistic Evidence – Afghanistan shares more with Persianate, Mesopotamian, and West Asian civilizations than it does with South Asia.
Promotes Colonial Narratives – British and modern geopolitical frameworks have artificially reclassified Afghanistan without considering its actual historical and cultural reality. [9]
By acknowledging Afghanistan’s true geographical location, we respect historical accuracy and cultural identity rather than reinforcing politically motivated classifications.
References
^Frye, Richard N. (2005). Greater Iran: A 20th Century Odyssey. Mazda Publishers. ISBN1568591772.
^Canfield, Robert L. (1997). "Afghanistan's Geopolitical Position and Ethnic Groups". Journal of Asian Studies. 56 (2): 345–356.
^McChesney, Robert D. (2021). Four Central Asian Shrines: A Socio-Political History. Brill. ISBN9789004460173. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^Floor, Willem (2015). The Bayats: A Forgotten Tribe of Greater Iran. Mazda Publishers. ISBN9781568593179. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^Yarshater, Ehsan (2001). "The Persianate Societies of Afghanistan". Iranian Studies. 34 (3): 411–432.