Ahmadzai

Aḥmadzai ("descendants of Aḥmad") is a Pashtun tribe. There are many separate and distinct clans, sub-clans, tribal fractions, large families etc. that trace their ancestry to different Aḥmads.^[1]

Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, there are two distnict clans of Ahmadzai: the Ghilzai (Gharzai) branch of Paktia and Logar and the Durrani (a.k.a. Abdali) branch.^[1] The Ahmadzai of the Ghilzai branch are known for strict adherence to Pashtunwali.^[1]

The Ahmadzais of the Ghilzai branch are largely found in an area formed by a triangle from Kabul to Jalalabad to Gardez. These Ahmadzai are mainly sedentary often engaged in trade and many of them having become wealthy. They have also been well represented in various governments of Afghanistan. The Ghilzai Ahmadzai have a long history of intermarrying with members of the Durrani tribe.

Pakistan

The Waziri Ahmadzai tribe lives in the Federally Administered Tribal Agency of Waziristan in western Pakistan. Large numbers of Ahmadzais from both Pakistan and Afghanistan can also be found in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi and in Lahore, where they are extensively involved in business and commerce.

Notables

• Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, the last President of the Republic of Afghanistan.
• Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, chairman of the Institute for State Effectiveness.
• Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai, Grand Council Chieftain of the Kuchis.
• Raees Ahmadzai, Afghan cricketer.
• Mirwais Ahmadzai, Paris-based record producer and songwriter.
• Faiz Mohamad Ahmadzai, the first president and founder of Ariana Afghan Airlines.
• Major General Gul Nabi Ahmadzai, Director of General training and education department at the Ministry of Home affairs of Afghanistan
• Nazir Ahmad Ahmadzai, an Afghan artist who first drew a painting of former United States President Reagan, and later of current President Obama.
• Zarwali Khan Ahmadzai

References