Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses CAHSS Theses and Dissertations and Dissertations 1-1-2015 Afghan Muslim Male Interpreters and Translators: An Examination of Their deI ntity Changes and Lived Experiences During Pre and Post- Immigration to the United States During the Afghanistan War (2003-2012) Michael Tyrone Solomon Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] This document is a product of extensive research conducted at the Nova Southeastern University College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. For more information on research and degree programs at the NSU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, please click here. Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dcar_etd Part of the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Michael Tyrone Solomon. 2015. Afghan Muslim Male Interpreters and Translators: An Examination of Their Identity Changes and Lived Experiences During Pre and Post-Immigration to the United States During the Afghanistan War (2003-2012). Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Conflict Resolution Studies. (31) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dcar_etd/31. This Dissertation is brought to you by the CAHSS Theses and Dissertations at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AFGHAN MUSLIM MALE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS: AN EXAMINATION OF THEIR IDENTITY CHANGES AND LIVED EXPERIENCES DURING PRE- AND POST- IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES DURING THE AFGHANISTAN WAR (2003– 2012) by Michael T. Solomon A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Nova Southeastern University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nova Southeastern University 2015 Copyright © by Michael T. Solomon March 2015 Dedication This life long journey was not a solitary passage. First and foremost, I give all thanks to God for this achievement and his continued blessings. On earth, I honor through love, commitment, and work to my family of six beautiful J’s for their support, patience and encirclement; Janice, Jamie, Jessica, James, Josslyn and Jalisa. Also, to my mother and father (Willie & Beatrice Solomon) whose parental love, guidance and belief in me never waned. And finally, to the mainstays in my life and who now watch from heaven; Mamie & Willie Solomon Sr., Betty & Jimmy Cooper, and Ozabeth Rogers - I continue to feel your embrace and smile. Acknowledgements I extend my gratitude to my academic force of Dr. Ismael Muvingi, Dr. Robin Cooper, Dr. Elana Bastidas and Dr. Toran Hansen. I acknowledge in this body of work your continual guidance, counsel and incredible academic and scholarly talents – I thank you all. And finally, to my 8th grade teacher - Mr. Gonzales, who saw enough potential in me to get involved, and to demand more. Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations......................................................................................................... vii Abstract ............................................................................................................................ viii Chapter 1 – Introduction ....................................................................................................01 Rationale for Study ......................................................................................................15 Purpose and Goals .......................................................................................................17 Problem Statement ......................................................................................................18 Research Questions .....................................................................................................19 Reflexivity…................................................................................................................20 Chapter 2 – Literature Review ...........................................................................................23 Global and Cultural Ideological Differences ...............................................................25 Afghanistan Individual Pre-Immigration Identity ......................................................29 Afghan Tribal and Group Identities .............................................................................36 Religious Identity .........................................................................................................39 Afghan Individual Post-Immigration Identity…. ........................................................41 Cultural Globalization ..................................................................................................43 Afghan Family Identity during Pre-Immigration ........................................................47 Afghan Family Identity during Post-Immigration ......................................................51 Pan-ethnic Identity .......................................................................................................54 i Chapter 3 – Modern Afghanistan – Politics, Governance and History..............................57 Afghanistan’s Reform and Modernization Movement ................................................62 Period of Turmoil: 1978-1979. ....................................................................................65 Pashtun Ethnic Identity ...............................................................................................73 Hazara Ethnic Identity ................................................................................................73 Tajik Ethnic Identity . ..................................................................................................74 Chapter 4 – Afghanistan Modern Conflict And War ..........................................................78 Current Conflict ..........................................................................................................78 Government Forces .....................................................................................................87 Insurgent Elements .....................................................................................................88 External Groups .........................................................................................................89 Chapter 5 – Theory ............................................................................................................92 Modern Afghanistan History and Timeline .................................................................94 Post-Colonial Theory ...................................................................................................94 Diasporas ...................................................................................................................100 International Relations / Islamic Theory ...................................................................107 Traditionalism . ..........................................................................................................110 Jihad… .......................................................................................................................112 ii Non-Traditionalism . ..................................................................................................113 Reactive Identity Theory............................................................................................117 Chapter 6 – Methodology. ...............................................................................................122 Methodological Objective ................................................................................................127 Restated Problem Statement . ....................................................................................132 Restated Research Questions ....................................................................................132 Data Sampling…………………………………………………………………………..133 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………………139 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………………...144 Data Coding Methods…………………………………………………………………..150 Developing Thematic Text……………………………………………………………..152 Ethical Considerations………………………………………………………………….155 Research Quality………………………………………………………………………..158 Trustworthiness……………………………………………………………………..158 Triangulation………………………………………………………………………..160 Transferability………………………………………………………………………161 Credibility…………………………………………………………………………..162 Confirmability………………………………………………………………………164 Chapter 7 – Participant Narrative Themes……………………………………………...166 Participant Narrative (Explanation)…………………………………………….166 Part One – Themes, Code and Analysis………………………………………...168 iii Participant One………………………………………………………………….168 Participant One: Summary analysis…………………………………………….170 Participant Two…………………………………………………………………173 Participant Two: Summary analysis……………………………………………173 Participant Three………………………………………………………………..176 Participant Three: Summary analysis……………………………………….….176 Participant Four…………………………………………………………………179 Participant Four: Summary analysis……………………………………………180 Participant Five…………………………………………………………………182 Participant Five: Summary analysis……………………………………………183