Afghanistan

Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a country in Asia. Afghanistan is an Islamic country. An estimated 80% of the population is Sunni, following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence; the remainder of the population--and primarily the Hazara ethnic group-- predominantly Shi'a. Despite attempts during the years of Marxist rule to secularize Afghan society, Islamic practices intervene into all aspects of life.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are generally the most important elements of the gross domestic product (GDP).

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, US forces were authorized by the United Nation to intervene in Afghanistan. A puppet government, called Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was created under the leadership of Hamid Karzai. On October 9, 2004, Afghanistan held its first national democratic presidential election. More than 8 million Afghans voted, 41% of whom were women. Hamid Karzai was announced as the official winner on November 3 and inaugurated on December 7 for a five-year term as Afghanistan's first democratically elected president. On December 23, 2004, President Karzai announced new cabinet appointments, naming three women as ministers.. As of 2012, Afghanistan remains under NATO occupation, officially called a stabilization mission.

External links

• Official information website of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan