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1975
Historical Event:The Prime Minister Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power.
Kite Runner Quote: Blocking Hassan’s way out of the alley were 3 boys, the same 3 from that day on that hill, The day after Daoud Khan’s coup, when Hassan had saved us with his slingshot (Hosseini 59). -
1982
Historical Event Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas. Kite Runner Quote: My innards had been rolling since we had left Kabul just after tow in the morning.(Hosseini 110) -
1997
Historical Event Taliban recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of the country.
Kite Runner Quote: What mission is that? I heard myself say. Stoning adulterers? Raping children? Flogging women for wearing high heels? Massacruing Hazaras? All in the name of Islam?(Hosseini 284) -
1995-1999
Historical Event The Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations.
Kite Runner Quote: How shall we answer those who throw stones at the windows of god's house? We throw stones back! (Hosseini 270). -
2000
Historical Event: By now considered an international threat, bin Laden is widely believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, where he is cultivating thousands of followers in training camps. The United States demands that bin Laden be extradited to stand trial for the embassy bombings. The Taliban decline to extradite him. The United Nations punishes Afghanistan with sanctions restricting trade and economic development. Kite Runner:"No god no, and then they shot him in the head" (219 Hosseini)