KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The city of San Diego, California, has officially designated May 19 as Hazara Culture Day. In a formal proclamation, Mayor Todd Gloria announced the recognition on behalf of the city’s residents.
“Recognizing and celebrating Hazara Culture Day provides an opportunity to promote cultural awareness, inclusivity, and unity among all residents of San Diego,” the statement read. “It fosters a sense of belonging and understanding among the City’s diverse communities.”
Mayor Gloria noted that Hazaras around the world commemorate the day through traditional celebrations, cultural dress, and music and dance from their homeland.
Mohammad Jawad Rahimi, a local representative of the U.S. Democratic Party, said in a post on X that he proposed the idea during a meeting with the mayor, a suggestion that was welcomed and adopted.
Since 2017, Hazaras globally have marked May 19 as Hazara Culture Day, thanks to a group of Hazara activists in Islamabad led by Fatima Atif, a human rights and civic activist. The date has also been officially recognized in Pakistan’s national calendar.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans, including many from the Hazara community, have migrated to the United States, with some now settled in San Diego.
