Hazara Minority To Play Critical Role in Afghan Election

1 of 6 — An ethnic Hazara man sits on the porch of a tea shop on the southwestern edge of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The Hazara minority is poised to play a key role in the Aug. 20 presidential elections and provincial council races.

An ethnic Hazara man sits on the porch of a tea shop on the southwestern edge of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The Hazara minority is poised to play a key role in the Aug. 20 presidential elections and provincial council races.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

2 of 6 — Mohammad Mohaqiq is the leader of the Hazara ethnic minority. As a warlord who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, he now commands wide support in northern and central Afghanistan.

Mohammad Mohaqiq is the leader of the Hazara ethnic minority. As a warlord who fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, he now commands wide support in northern and central Afghanistan.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

3 of 6 — A Hazara breadmaker sits in his Kabul shop as a delivery boy is reflected in the window. Afghanistan's Hazara minority is one of the smallest in the country, and in the political arena has always been dominated by the Pashtuns in the south and the Tajiks in the north.

A Hazara breadmaker sits in his Kabul shop as a delivery boy is reflected in the window. Afghanistan's Hazara minority is one of the smallest in the country, and in the political arena has always been dominated by the Pashtuns in the south and the Tajiks in the north.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

4 of 6 — A boy stands against the wall of a Hazara tea shop on the outskirts of Kabul. Presidential candidates are courting the Hazara vote, which could make a difference for incumbent President Hamid Karzai in the first round of voting.

A boy stands against the wall of a Hazara tea shop on the outskirts of Kabul. Presidential candidates are courting the Hazara vote, which could make a difference for incumbent President Hamid Karzai in the first round of voting.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

5 of 6 — A Hazara boy stands in the doorway of a tea shop on the outskirts of Kabul. The tea shops are a gathering place for the local Hazara residents to mingle and talk.

A Hazara boy stands in the doorway of a tea shop on the outskirts of Kabul. The tea shops are a gathering place for the local Hazara residents to mingle and talk.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR

6 of 6 — Ramzan Bashardost, a Hazara, is a popular member of Afghanistan's Parliment and is longshot candidate for president. He has won over voters by living and working out of a tent near Parliment's main building."The Afghan people ... are tired about discrimination, about this kind of separation and distinction between people," he says.

Ramzan Bashardost, a Hazara, is a popular member of Afghanistan's Parliment and is longshot candidate for president. He has won over voters by living and working out of a tent near Parliment's main building."The Afghan people ... are tired about discrimination, about this kind of separation and distinction between people," he says.

Photos by David Gilkey / NPR