A Rally For Karzai In The Kayan Valley

1 of 14 — Thousands of Afghan Ismailis — a minority sect in Shiite Islam — gathered in the Kayan valley over the weekend to celebrate President Hamid Karzai's re-election campaign.

Thousands of Afghan Ismailis — a minority sect in Shiite Islam — gathered in the Kayan valley over the weekend to celebrate President Hamid Karzai's re-election campaign.

All photos by David Gilkey / NPR/NPR

2 of 14 — Attendees traveled from as far as Kabul, a nine-hour drive north over unpaved mountain roads. Some traveled on foot. Many camped out the night before the president's arrival. Here, a cook tends one of 39 pots of food prepared for attendees.

Attendees traveled from as far as Kabul, a nine-hour drive north over unpaved mountain roads. Some traveled on foot. Many camped out the night before the president's arrival. Here, a cook tends one of 39 pots of food prepared for attendees.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

3 of 14 — Sayed Mansoor Naderi, the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, was the force behind the rally. Soon after endorsing Karzai's re-election, he invited his people to his ancestral home in the Kayan valley to celebrate.

Sayed Mansoor Naderi, the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, was the force behind the rally. Soon after endorsing Karzai's re-election, he invited his people to his ancestral home in the Kayan valley to celebrate.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

4 of 14 — Throughout the weekend Naderi urged the Ismailis to follow his lead and vote for Karzai on Election Day.

Throughout the weekend Naderi urged the Ismailis to follow his lead and vote for Karzai on Election Day.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

5 of 14 — The two-day affair was part religious revival, part political rally.

The two-day affair was part religious revival, part political rally.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

6 of 14 — Karzai arrived Saturday via helicopter.

Karzai arrived Saturday via helicopter.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

7 of 14 — The president, elected in 2004, is accompanied by Naderi, the local religious leader who invited him to the rally.

The president, elected in 2004, is accompanied by Naderi, the local religious leader who invited him to the rally.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

8 of 14 — Many came armed with digital cameras to capture the historic event.

Many came armed with digital cameras to capture the historic event.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

9 of 14 — Karzai, who rarely makes appearances in large crowds, was accompanied by a juggernaut of security personnel as he walked through the streets.

Karzai, who rarely makes appearances in large crowds, was accompanied by a juggernaut of security personnel as he walked through the streets.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

10 of 14 — People showed their support for Karzai in a variety of ways.

People showed their support for Karzai in a variety of ways.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

11 of 14 — A group of women congregates under the trees.

A group of women congregates under the trees.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

12 of 14 — Farmers from the Kayan valley slaughtered a sacrificial bull to mark Karzai's arrival.

Farmers from the Kayan valley slaughtered a sacrificial bull to mark Karzai's arrival.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

13 of 14 — The festivities continued from morning to night.

The festivities continued from morning to night.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

14 of 14 — A tiny minority group, the Ismailis have not traditionally drawn such attention from the president.

A tiny minority group, the Ismailis have not traditionally drawn such attention from the president.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR