Memory and National Identity Among Afghan Refugees in Peshawar

Abstract

Drawing on the literature on nationalism and national attachment, as well as memory studies, we analyze the extent to which Afghan refugees in Peshawar continue to identify strongly with their homeland, or with Pakistan. Based on survey research and in-depth interviews, we find that second generation immigrants have a stronger Pakistani and weaker Afghan identification compared to those who grew up in Afghanistan. This relationship is mediated by a number of factors, including religion. Native Pashto speakers generally have a stronger sense of Pakistani identity compared to non-Pashto speakers, and Urdu fluency also has an impact on their national identity. Interestingly, those who gained their education through a religious seminary, or madrasa, identify more strongly with Pakistan compared to those who studied in the public school system. Furthermore, self-reported regularity in daily prayers and Quranic recitation is also associated with a stronger sense of Pakistani identity.

Keywords:

• national attachment
• national identity
• religiosity
• refugee
• Afghan
• Pakistani

Notes

1 “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

2 “The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”

3 Sunnah Al-Tirmidhi 2269: “Black standards will come from Khorasan, nothing shall turn them back until they are planted in Jerusalem.”

4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgb8mVHmpJw, last accessed June 26, 2023.

5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmZyeoYLyoc, last accessed June 26, 2023.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abdullah Burki

Abdullah Burki has an MPhil degree in Political Science from Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore. He is a scholar and socio-political activist working on Afghan refugee and immigrant issues. Currently, he is affiliated with the Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) and is working on the IVLP Impact Award project “Social Inclusion, Self-Sustainability, and Media Representation of the Pak-Afghan Community” (sponsored by the US Mission in Pakistan, and PUAN).

Ryan Brasher

Ryan Brasher holds a PhD in Political Science from Indiana University (Bloomington) and is a Political Scientist at Simpson University (Redding, CA). He previously served as faculty member at Forman Christian College in Pakistan from 2014-2021. His research has focused on state-building, national identity, political religion, federalism, and foreign policy in Central and South Asia.