On the occasion of September 25, the Hazara community of Alberta in Calgary, Canada, held a meaningful ceremony to commemorate the day of remembrance for the Hazara genocide under Abdul Rahman. The event was attended by prominent figures of the Hazara community. This date marks the beginning of organized killings and deportations during Abdul Rahman’s rule and has now become a symbol of international advocacy and justice. The primary goal of the gathering was to draw the attention of the Canadian public and the global community to the historical and ongoing suffering of the Hazaras and to demand formal recognition of these crimes as “genocide.”

The ceremony began with a warm and heartfelt welcome to the guests. Each speaker, with eloquence, explored different aspects of this tragedy, from historical massacres to recent targeted attacks on educational centers and mosques in Afghanistan.

In the first segment, speakers emphasized that the persecution of Hazaras is not merely a historical incident but a continuing threat.
Sahib Nazar Sangin, President of the Hazara Society of Alberta, highlighted the ongoing nature of these atrocities, stating:
“The history of the Hazara massacres has not ended; even today, Hazaras are targeted simply for being Hazara and remain at risk of genocide. It is our duty to bring this ongoing suffering to the attention of the world.”

Professor Ali Karimi, historian and researcher, discussed the systematic oppression during Abdul Rahman’s reign, noting:
“The oppressive measures against Hazaras were so severe that even fleeing the tyranny was denied. Abdul Rahman feared that if a Hazara escaped to Iran or India, they might report their situation and alert others. Therefore, his officials were instructed not to grant travel permits to Hazaras.”

Human rights activist Ismail Zaki focused on legal definitions of genocide, stating:
“According to Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, events such as the Arzgan massacres clearly qualify as genocide. We have the necessary evidence to support this claim.”

In the next segment, Guljan Samar, an advocate for women’s and human rights, highlighted the political implications of the Hazara genocide, saying:
“Genocide against Hazaras existed even before Abdul Rahman’s era. However, during his rule, the physical and cultural elimination of Hazaras occurred in a highly organized and targeted manner, deepening its political impact.”

Hafiz Saeedi discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and the complexities of international legal proceedings, noting:
“Although the International Criminal Court has declared two senior Taliban officials prosecutable, there is no explicit report regarding the Hazara genocide. Crimes committed against Hazaras have primarily been classified as crimes against humanity.”

Ali Shafa Shahidzadeh, critiquing the performance of Hazara elites, called for more serious action:
“It is regrettable that our elites have prioritized their own positions over taking concrete steps to have the Hazara genocide recognized. It is time to set aside personal interests and take our historical responsibility seriously.”

Finally, Abdul Danishyar emphasized the responsibility of victims and survivors, stating:
“It is a collective duty to pursue recognition of the Hazara genocide continuously and tirelessly. Fortunately, abundant historical and legal evidence exists to substantiate this truth.”

The September 25 ceremony in Calgary went beyond a simple remembrance; it demonstrated that, despite geographical distance, the Hazara community in Canada considers itself the voice of victims in Afghanistan. This event not only kept the memory of the victims alive but also reaffirmed the Hazara community’s commitment to justice, serving as a bridge between a painful past and a future in which the Hazara genocide is officially recognized and condemned in the annals of world history.