Summary
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 literally means "son of light" where Nur is an arabic word which means "light", and "zai" meaning "son of" in the Pashto language. Tribally speaking, they are disputed by many Zirak Pashtuns to neither be Durrani or 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. Through out the past, Noorzai tribesman have had a rivarly with the Achakzai tribe. Both of the tribes were fighting for control over the drug trade in Spin Boldak.[4]
Notable individuals edit
- 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 an Taliban commander who fought against 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 who was responsible for construction and founding of the city Khan Yunis. The city which is located in the southern Gaza strip is named after him.