Through oral histories, photographs, documents, cultural artifacts, and multimedia storytelling, the project situates Hazara narratives within the broader history of immigration and pluralism in the United States. By preserving fragile histories at risk of erasure, Hazara Journeys connects personal stories to universal themes of displacement, belonging, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Hazara Journeys is an initiative of the Hazara Resource Platform (HRP), a U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. HRP is dedicated to preserving, researching, and sharing the history, culture, and lived experiences of the Hazara people. Its programs combine humanities scholarship, technology, and community partnerships to safeguard endangered heritage and make it accessible worldwide. With digital archives, human rights documentation, and collaborative projects, HRP ensures that Hazara voices are represented in academic research, public discourse, and cultural preservation.

Led by HRP, Hazara Journeys combines in-person exhibitions, online collections, and public discussions to engage scholars, communities, and the wider public in understanding Hazara voices and contributions.

Our Story

For over 130 years, the Hazara people of Afghanistan have endured persecution, mass violence, and forced displacement. Yet, through these hardships, they have held firmly to education, civic participation, and cultural resilience.

Hazara Journeys highlights this dual story of survival and success:

• Migration and Resettlement: Families carrying little more than suitcases and memories across borders.

• The American Dream: New opportunities in education, work, and community building.

• Cultural Traditions in Exile: Festivals, music, and storytelling that keep identity alive.

• Global Forces and Local Lives: Civic engagement, advocacy, and contributions to U.S. society.

By telling these stories, we ensure Hazara history is not lost but shared as part of America’s diverse immigrant fabric.

Exhibition Themes

The digital and in-person exhibitions are organized into four modules.

1. Migration and Resettlement

Visitors encounter suitcases, passports, and letters alongside oral histories recounting displacement, refugee camps, and resettlement in the United States. An interactive map traces routes across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and beyond.

2. The American Dream

Hazara contributions to education, business, science, and sports take center stage—entrepreneurs, students, scholars, and world figures such as Rohullah Nikpai (Olympic medalist), Abbas Karimi (Paralympian), and Shakardokht Jafari (physicist).

3. Cultural Traditions and Resilience in Exile

Traditional clothing, jewelry, and music instruments (like the dambora) sit beside videos of cultural picnics, Yalda Night, and folk dances. These celebrations demonstrate how culture thrives in diaspora.

4. Global Forces and Local Lives

Documents, advocacy posters, and oral histories reveal Hazara roles in U.S. military and civic missions in Afghanistan and their continued advocacy for human rights in the diaspora.

Digital Collection

Our bilingual Omeka S platform makes these histories accessible worldwide.
Features include:

• Oral histories and transcripts in English and Farsi.

• Digitized documents, photographs, and cultural artifacts.

• An interactive migration map and thematic modules.

• Accessibility compliance (captions, transcripts, alt text, and screen-reader support).

This permanent collection will grow with new contributions, ensuring Hazara voices are safeguarded for future generations.

Programs

Hazara Journeys goes beyond exhibitions:

• Virtual Humanities Discussions: Eight online dialogues with scholars, authors, and community leaders, archived for continued access.

• In-Person Exhibitions: Featured at Hazara American Association’s Memorial Day and Labor Day gatherings in Washington, D.C., reaching 2,000–3,000 attendees each.

• Educational Resources: Teaching modules for schools and universities to incorporate Hazara stories into migration, ethnic, and cultural studies.

Why It Matters

Hazara Journeys preserves stories at risk of erasure, challenges dominant narratives that overlook minority voices, and contributes to fields such as:

• Migration and Diaspora Studies

• Minority and Ethnic Studies

• Cultural Anthropology

• Human Rights and Democracy Studies

By engaging both scholars and the public, Hazara Journeys demonstrates that Hazara resilience and contributions are essential to understanding cultural pluralism in America and beyond.