Nurzai

Nurzai also spelled as Noorzai (Pashto: نورزئی) is the name of a Pashtun tribe, part of the Panjpai section of Durrani Tareen Pashtuns.^[1] Their name means "son of light" whereas Nur is an Arabic word that means "light", and "zai" means "son of" in the Pashto language. Tribally speaking, they are disputed by many Zirak Pashtuns to neither be Durrani nor Ghilji.^[2] Historically the Noorzai tribe can be found in Kandahar province, as well as Helmand province, and Farah. Furthermore, the tribe is even spread out as far as Pakistan.^[3] They are specifically centered in Panjwai district, Maywand district, Nawzad, Garmsir and Washir district.[1] These places were infamous for being one of the main battlegrounds during the war in Afghanistan. Throughout the past, Noorzai tribesman have had a rivalry with the Achakzai tribe. Both of the tribes were fighting for control over the drug trade in Spin Boldak.^[4]

Notable individuals

• Hibatullah Akhundzada, Supreme Commander of the Taliban and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
• Bashir Noorzai, Former Afghan drug lord known for being the "Afghan Escobar". He was one of the earliest members of the Afghan militant group Taliban.
• Maulavi Ubaidurrahman Nurzai, Was a Taliban commander who fought against a NATO-led coalition in Helmand province. He took part in the battle of Garmsir.
• Mohammad Arif Noorzai, Former minister of border and tribe affairs for Afghanistan.
• Emir Yunus an-Noorzai, an official of the Mamluk Sultanate was responsible for the construction and founding of the city of Khan Yunis. The city which is located in the southern Gaza Strip is named after him.
• Abdul Jabar Qahraman, Afghan army general who was an influential leader and politician.

References