{{Short description|Pashtun tribe in Afghanistan}} {{more citations needed|date=December 2017}} '''Noorzai''' ({{langx|ps|نورزی}}) is the name of a Pashtun tribe, part of the Panjpai section of Durrani Pashtuns.<ref>[https://www.nps.edu/documents/105988371/107571254/Nurzai_Durrani.pdf/8d55b901-2a8d-4a69-a63d-2c98f240164b Nurzai Clan]</ref> 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, . Historically the Noorzai tribe can be found in Kandahar province, as well as Helmand province, Herat and Farah. Furthermore, the tribe is even spread out as far as Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=Joshua |title=Pashtun Nurzai in Pakistan |url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/22243/PK |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=joshuaproject.net |language=en}}</ref> They are specifically centered in Panjwai district, Maywand district, Nawzad, Garmsir and Washir district.[https://www.lse.ac.uk/international-development/Assets/Documents/PDFs/csrc-working-papers-phase-two/wp7.2-tribes-and-warlords-in-southern-afghanistan.pdf] These places were infamous for being one of the main battlegrounds during the war in Afghanistan.
==Notable individuals== *Hibatullah Akhundzada, Supreme Commander of the Taliban and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan{{sfn|Burnett|2020|p=57}} *Bashir Noorzai, Former Afghan drug lord known for being the "Pablo Escobar of the Middle East". He was one of the earliest members of the Afghan militant group Taliban.{{cn|date=September 2024}} *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.{{cn|date=September 2024}} *Mohammad Arif Noorzai, Former minister of border and tribe affairs for Afghanistan.{{cn|date=September 2024}} *Wali Muhammad Noorzai, prominent MPA and Noorzai tribal leader in Balochistan. He represents Quetta District and advocates for his constituents' rights and development. As a respected tribal leader, he resolves disputes and promotes peace, bridging the gap between government and tribal communities.{{cn|date=September 2024}} *Abdul Jabar Qahraman, Afghan army general who was an influential leader and politician.{{cn|date=September 2024}} *Zalmay Khalilzad, American diplomat and foreign policy expert. He was the highest muslim-american in government during his time in office. Furthermore, he was the former ambassador to Afghanistan during the bush administration. He took part in the Doha-agreement which caused the American armed forces to withdraw from Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saikal |first=Amin |date=May 29, 2020 |title=Resolving the Afghan Presidential Dispute |url=https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/resolving-the-afghan-presidential-dispute/ |access-date=September 25, 2020 |work=Australian Institute of International Affairs}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Pashtun tribes}}
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Category:Durrani Pashtun tribes Category:Tribes of Afghanistan Category:Ethnic groups in Kandahar Province