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During the second large phase in the story, Amir and his father begin to open yard sales to survive in the states. These were often composed primarily of other Afghan immigrants.

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In Afghanistan, children participate in a Kite flying battle of sorts; when kites fall after losing, different children run to try and catch them. The last kid to have a flying kite, and the one who retrieves the last kite, are considered the winner.

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Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan, and the center point of the stories beginning. It is a large city nestled between mountainous ranges and long terrains.

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Immigration to American during the war was high, as citizens believed it held the expectations they needed to properly escape the past. They were not always well received, and faced a lot of hardships upon coming with nothing.

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Extending dozens of years, the Soviet/ Afghan war featured many different peaks between sides. Even following Soviet troops leaving Afghanistan, the cultural divides that had resulted left civil wars for years to come.

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A chronology of key events around the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the decade-long war it sparked.

1978
27 April: Afghanistan's communist People's Democratic Party seizes power in a coup but is split along ethnic lines and in-fighting begins. The country is renamed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA). An Islamic and conservative insurgency soon begins in the provinces.

5 December: A friendship treaty is signed with the USSR, building on Soviet economic and military support given to Afghanistan since the early 1950s.

1979

March: The USSR begins massive military aid to the DRA, including hundreds of advisers, as the US scales down its presence after the murder of its kidnapped ambassador. Afghan soldiers mutiny in Herat, massacring Soviet citizens before their rebellion is crushed.

September: Hafizullah Amin emerges as DRA leader from a bout of bloodletting in the government during which President Nur Mohammed Taraki is killed. Requests for large numbers of Soviet forces to combat the growing insurgency continue under Amin's administration.

12 December: The Politbureau's inner circle, fearing the spectre of an Iranian-style Islamist revolution and wary of Amin's secret meetings with US diplomats in Afghanistan, decides to invade.

24 December: The Soviet defence ministry reveals orders to senior staff to send troops into Afghanistan. Commandos seize strategic installations in Kabul. Armoured columns cross the border at Termez and Kushka heading towards Kabul and Herat respectively.

29 December: After a week of heavy fighting during which Soviet commandos kill Amin and tens of thousands of troops invade by ground and air, Babrak Kamal is installed as the DRA's new Soviet-backed leader.

1980

Resistance intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces and their DRA allies. In the first six months of the campaign, the Soviets commit more than 80,000 personnel to occupy Afghanistan. The US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen. The US leads a boycott of the Moscow Olympics.

1982

The United Nations General Assembly calls for Soviet withdrawal.

1985

More than five million Afghans are now estimated to be displaced by the war, with many fleeing to neighbouring Iran or Pakistan. New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says he wants to end the war in Afghanistan. In order to bring a quick victory, the resulting escalation of troops to pacify the region leads to the bloodiest year of the war.

1986

The US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Karmal is replaced by Mohammed Najibullah.

1988

The DRA, USSR, US and Pakistan sign peace accords and the Soviets begin pulling out troops.

1989

15 February: The USSR announces the departure of the last Soviet troops. More than one million Afghans and 13 thousand Soviet troops have been killed . Civil war continues as the mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah, who is eventually toppled in 1992.

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A chronology of key events around the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the decade-long war it sparked. 1978 27 April: Afghanistan's communist People's Democratic Party seizes power in a coup but is split along ethnic lines and in-fighting begins. The country is renamed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA).

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Hosseini reflects how his own families experience was different from those represented in the story, although he relates upon experiences he has viewed over time.

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Hosseini and his family left the country during the start of the war. Much of his own stories can be seen in The Kite Runner.

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Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965. His father was a diplomat in the Afghan Foreign Ministry and his mother taught Farsi and history at a high school in Kabul. In 1976, the Foreign Ministry relocated the Hosseini family to Paris. They were ready to return to Kabul in 1980, but by then their homeland had witnessed a bloody communist coup and the invasion of the Soviet Army. The Hosseinis sought and were granted political asylum in the United States, and in September 1980 moved to San Jose, California. Hosseini graduated from high school in 1984 and enrolled at Santa Clara University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1988. The following year he entered the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, where he earned a medical degree in 1993. He completed his residency at Cedars-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles and was a practicing internist between 1996 and 2004.

In March 2001, while practicing medicine, Hosseini began writing his first novel, The Kite Runner. Published by Riverhead Books in 2003, that debut went on to become an international bestseller and beloved classic, sold in at least seventy countries and spending more than a hundred weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In May 2007, his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, remaining in that spot for fifteen weeks and nearly an entire year on the bestseller list. Together, the two books have sold more than 10 million copies in the United States and more than 38 million copies worldwide. The Kite Runner was adapted into a graphic novel of the same name in 2011. Hosseini's much-awaited third novel, And the Mountains Echoed, will be published on May 21, 2013.

In 2006, Hosseini was named a Goodwill Envoy to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. Inspired by a trip he made to Afghanistan with the UNHCR, he later established The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. He lives in Northern California.

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Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965. His father was a diplomat in the Afghan Foreign Ministry and his mother taught Farsi and history at a high school in Kabul. In 1976, the Foreign Ministry relocated the Hosseini family to Paris.

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Pashtun's represent the upper class of Afghanistan culture in Kite Runner and account for a large amount of the social actions that occur during the book in relation to actions against Hazara's.

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Introduction / History

The Pashtun, or Pushtun, are a race of warriors who live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They consist of about sixty tribes, each with its own territory. Although their origin is unclear, their legends say that they are the descendants of Afghana, grandson of King Saul. However, most believe they probably arose from ancient Aryans intermingling with subsequent invaders.

The Pashtun are said to be elegant, colorfully attired, hospitable, considerate, fierce in hatred, and kind in friendship. Though very dedicated to their religious beliefs, they are also fond of pleasure. They are known for their marksmanship and their love of honor.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Pashtun live in southern and central Asia. Their homes lie along a chain of barren, rugged mountains.

At the core of Pashtun society is the extended family. Each family group owns its land and lives in a fortified residence called a qala. Every qala is divided into two areas: a general living area and the private living quarters. A high wall in the middle separates the two areas.

Distinctive tribal customs and traditions also form an integral part of Pashtun society. The true essence of their culture can be seen in the "code of ethics" that they live by. This unwritten code is called Pushtunwali ("the way of the Pushtun"), and is close to the heart of every Pashtun.

Pushtunwali is followed religiously, and it includes the following practices: melmastia (hospitality and protection to every guest); nanawati (the right of a fugitive to seek refuge, and acceptance of his bona fide offer of peace); badal (the right of blood feuds or revenge); tureh (bravery); sabat (steadfastness); imandari (righteousness); 'isteqamat (persistence); ghayrat (defense of property and honor); and namoos (defense of one's women).

The Pashtun tribes range from the highly educated who live in cities to tent-dwelling nomads. Although their societies are based on tribal traditions, the Pashtun who live in cities or villages have a different attitude towards social status than do the nomads. This is because the villages are made up of both Pashtun and non-Pashtun peoples. In most cases, the Pashtun are the landowners.

Traditionally, inheritances are divided equally among all the sons. The daughters are usually excluded, in spite of the clear teachings in the Koran concerning such matters. A daftari is a man who possesses a share in the tribal lands and has a voice in tribal councils. Such a person is regarded with high esteem in Pashtun society.

The majority of Pashtun are Sunni Muslims. Islam came to them as a great liberating and unifying force, freeing them from the cult of Brahminism and the harshness of Buddhism. For this reason, their underlying faith and steadfast devotion to Islam are very strong.

Many of the Pashtun are extremely poor and live in unsanitary conditions caused mainly by poor water supply. A large number of the adults are also illiterate. The need for qualified medical teams and school teachers is great.

* Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to mission agencies that are focusing on the Pashtuns.
* Ask God to encourage and protect the small number of Pashtun believers.
* Pray that God will provide greater peace and freedom to live and work among the Pashtun.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.

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Introduction / History The Pashtun, or Pushtun, are a race of warriors who live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They consist of about sixty tribes, each with its own territory. Although their origin is unclear, their legends say that they are the descendants of Afghana, grandson of King Saul.

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The soviets arrival was composed of violent streaks to show power. Citizens were beaten to show dominance, buildings were destroyed to demonstrate power, and prior officials were publicly slaughtered in front of the people.

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On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978.

As midnight approached, the Soviets organized a massive military airlift into Kabul, involving an estimated 280 transport aircraft and three divisions of almost 8,500 men each. Within a few days, the Soviets had secured Kabul, deploying a special assault unit against Tajberg Palace. Elements of the Afghan army loyal to Hafizullah Amin put up a fierce, but brief resistance.

On December 27, Babrak Karmal, exiled leader of the Parcham faction of the Marxist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), was installed as Afghanistan's new head of government. And Soviet ground forces entered Afghanistan from the north.

The Soviets, however, were met with fierce resistance when they ventured out of their strongholds into the countryside. Resistance fighters, called mujahidin, saw the Christian or atheist Soviets controlling Afghanistan as a defilement of Islam as well as of their traditional culture. Proclaiming a "jihad"(holy war), they gained the support of the Islamic world.

The mujahidin employed guerrilla tactics against the Soviets. They would attack or raid quickly, then disappear into the mountains, causing great destruction without pitched battles. The fighters used whatever weapons they could grab from the Soviets or were given by the United States.

The tide of the war turned with the 1987 introduction of U.S. shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. The Stingers allowed the mujahidin to shoot down Soviet planes and helicopters on a regular basis.

New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev decided it was time to get out. Demoralized and with no victory in sight, Soviet forces started withdrawing in 1988. The last Soviet soldier crossed back across the border on February 15, 1989.

It was the first Soviet military expedition beyond the Eastern bloc since World War II and marked the end of a period of improving relations (known as détente) in the Cold War. Subsequently, the SALT II arms treaty was shelved and the U.S. began to re-arm.

Fifteen thousand Soviet soldiers were killed.

The long-term impact of the invasion and subsequent war was profound. First, the Soviets never recovered from the public relations and financial losses, which significantly contributed to the fall of the Soviet empire in 1991. Secondly, the war created a breeding ground for terrorism and the rise of Osama bin Laden.

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Soviet tanks roll into Afghanistan - Dec 24, 1979 - HISTORY.com

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On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. As midnight approached, the Soviets organized a massive military airlift into Kabul, involving an estimated 280 transport aircraft and three divisions of almost 8,500 men each.

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First war incident, Afghan monarchy overthrown

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First war incident, Afghan monarchy overthrown

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The beginning of the Soviet/ Afghan war in 1979 began with a violent governmental over throw that shook the country as a whole.

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Afghanistan President Sardar Mohammed Daoud is overthrown and murdered in a coup led by procommunist rebels. The brutal action marked the beginning of political upheaval in Afghanistan that resulted in intervention by Soviet troops less than two years later.

Daoud had ruled Afghanistan since coming to power in a coup in 1973. His relations with the neighboring Soviet Union had grown progressively worse since that time as he pursued a campaign against Afghan communists. The murder of a leading Afghan Communist Party leader in early April 1978 may have encouraged the communists to launch their successful campaign against the Daoud regime later that month. In the political chaos that followed the death of Daoud, Nur Mohammed Taraki, head of the Afghan Communist Party, took over the presidency. In December 1978, Afghanistan signed a 20-year "friendship treaty" with the Soviet Union, by which increasing amounts of Russian military and economic assistance flowed into the country. None of this, however, could stabilize the Taraki government. His dictatorial style and his decision to turn Afghanistan into a one-party state alienated many people in the heavily Moslem country. In September 1979, Taraki was himself overthrown and murdered. Three months later, Soviet troops crossed into Afghanistan and installed a government acceptable to the Russians, and a war between Afghan rebels and Soviet troops erupted. The conflict lasted until Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev withdrew the Soviet forces in 1988.

In the years following the Soviet intervention, Afghanistan became a Cold War battlefield. The United States responded quickly and harshly to the Soviet action by freezing arms talks, cutting wheat sales to Russia, and boycotting the 1980 Olympic games in Moscow. Tension increased after Ronald Reagan became president in 1981. The United States provided arms and other assistance to what Reagan referred to as the "freedom fighters" in Afghanistan. For the Soviets, the Afghanistan intervention was a disaster, draining both Soviet finances and manpower. In the United States, commentators were quick to label the battle in Afghanistan "Russia's Vietnam."

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Afghan president is overthrown and murdered - Apr 27, 1978 - HISTORY.com

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Afghanistan President Sardar Mohammed Daoud is overthrown and murdered in a coup led by procommunist rebels. The brutal action marked the beginning of political upheaval in Afghanistan that resulted in intervention by Soviet troops less than two years later. Daoud had ruled Afghanistan since coming to power in a coup in 1973.

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The social differences between the Pashtun people and the Hazara are intense and guide a large portion of the conflict during the first part of the book.

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Difference between Hazara and Pashtun | Hazara vs Pashtun

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Hazaras are members of an Afghan ethnic minority group, whereas the Pashtuns are a united group of tribes composing the largest ethnic group of Afghanistan.

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Hazara's, representative of the large scale minority in Afghanistan culture in Kite Runner, play a huge role in the family dynamic of Amir's home.

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Living primarily in the rugged highlands in the country's centre, the Hazaras are one of Afghanistan's largest ethnic minorities, accounting for up to 20 percent of Afghanistan's 30 million inhabitants.

The Hazaras are said to be descendants of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol empire, and the Mongol soldiers who swept through the region in the 13th century.

Their Asiatic features and language - a dialect of Persian - set them apart from other Afghans, including the predominant ethnic Pashtun. While the Hazaras are primarily Shia Muslims, most Afghans follow the Sunni branch of Islam.

A history of persecution

The Hazaras say they are considered outsiders in their own country and have been persecuted throughout history. In the late 1900s, Pashtun King Amir Abdul Rahman Khan ordered the killing of all Shias in central Afghanistan, leaving tens of thousands of Hazaras dead, according to anthropologist Thomas Barfield.

Hazaras were sold as slaves as late as the 19th century.

Those living in rural areas were denied public services. Until recent decades, few attended university or held government positions.

"Hazaras have been systematically discriminated against by Pashtuns and others during the Afghan pre-war periods," says Thomas Ruttig, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The 2004 Afghanistan Constitution ( PDF ) granted Hazaras equal rights, and they were well-represented in the administration of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Yet, despite their growing political clout, many Hazaras continue to feel discriminated against.

"Even open-minded non-Hazaras with a high degree of education have admitted to me that they feel a certain discomfort when they encounter Hazaras in certain positions of authority in Afghanistan," says Melissa Chiovenda, an anthropology doctoral candidate at the University of Connecticut.

"They feel they should still be servants and labourers."
READ MORE: Desperate journeys - persecuted Hazara flee Afghanistan
Hazara activists say the government does not protect the interests of the Hazaras. Parts of central Afghanistan, like Bamiyan, the unofficial Hazara capital, are among the country's poorest, often lacking basic facilities and electricity.

In March, Hazaras held a protest in Kabul against the government's decision to move a proposed power line project out of Bamiyan, arguing that the decision was yet another form of ethnic discrimination.

Hazara Afghans are among the millions of refugees fleeing to Europe in search of a better future.

During the country's civil war and subsequent Taliban rule during the 1990s, the Taliban declared war on the Hazara.

"Hazaras are not Muslims, you can kill them," Taliban commander Maulawi Mohammed Hanif reportedly told a crowd in Northern Afghanistan in the mid-1990s.

While many Hazaras fled to Shia Iran, those who remained risked violence and even death. One of the most brutal events took place in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998, when thousands of Hazaras were systematically executed, according to a Human Rights Watch report .

Hazaras under threat

Although Afghanistan is no longer under Taliban rule, growing insecurity has unsettled many. Abductions, extortions and violent killings by groups operating under the banner of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) continue to take place.

Last November, a group swearing allegiance to ISIL abducted and killed seven civilians, including women and children, in the southern province of Zabul. The tragedy brought thousands on to the streets of Kabul to protest against the increasing violence towards Hazaras.

"What happened in 2015 was, from the Hazara point of view, the first time they could really definitively say it is happening to simple Hazaras, not people working for the government," says Chiovenda.

In recent weeks, Hazaras travelling in civilian vehicles have been abducted and executed by Taliban fighters.

In early June, 25 Hazara men and women travelling in the northern province of Saripul were taken hostage by armed attackers. While five were set free, the fate of the other 20 remains unknown, according to the UN.

The Buddhas of Bamiyan

The Buddhas of Bamiyan were gigantic statues hewn into rock in 6th century AD, when the area was a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. For centuries, the stone sentinels stood watch over the Silk Road.

They were deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site and became an important source of tourism revenue for the region. In 2001, then Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar declared them "un-Islamic" and had them destroyed , reducing the once-largest standing Buddhas and 1,500 years of history to rubble.

Whether the Buddhas should and can be rebuilt remains contested. Last year, a 3D light projection gifted by a Chinese donor re-imagined the statues.

In 2013, German restorers from a UNESCO advisory body built pillars with feet-like bases on the site, reigniting the debate. "There are different schools of thought," says Ruttig.

"I personally think it will be very difficult to rebuild them from the fragments that are left."

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Living primarily in the rugged highlands in the country's centre, the Hazaras are one of Afghanistan's largest ethnic minorities, accounting for up to 20 percent of Afghanistan's 30 million inhabitants. The Hazaras are said to be descendants of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol empire, and the Mongol soldiers who swept through the region in the 13th century.