The Hazara Community are an ethnic minority in Pakistan, who mainly live in Quetta, a city in south west Pakistan. The Hazara community has faced years of conflict, violence, and persecution. The rise in violent religious extremism has particularly affected the community, who experience relentless attacks from extremist groups through bombings and targeted killings.
As minority Shia Muslims, Hazara people are targeted by anti-Shia and Sunni extremists. Two bombings in 2013 killed over 100 Hazara people and injured many more. The decades-long exposure to persecution and violence has led to a dramatic increase in mental health challenges. Many are experiencing symptoms of depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The trauma faced by many is alongside the grief of losing loved ones, becoming internally displaced and suffering severe economic challenges.
The Start of Healing Souls
HIVE, one of our partners in Pakistan, has been working with the Hazara community to support their healing, and support members of the community to process the complex trauma they continue to experience. Led by Sajjad Hussain Aasim, Healing Souls is an initiative focussed on addressing the mental health challenges within the community. From the Hazara community himself, Aasim holds a PHD in International Relations and after visiting Quetta, he noticed a vast shift in the behaviour of young people there. Aasim witnessed an increasingly hostile environment with heightened aggression. Driven by a lack of understanding and a desire for a safe space, mental health challenges are on the rise for the community.
