# Hamid Karzai

> President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014

**Wikidata**: [Q43944](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43944)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Karzai)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hamid-karzai

## Summary
Hamid Karzai is an Afghan politician who served as the President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. He is a notable figure in the nation's history, leading the country during the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan. His leadership spanned a critical period of transition, following the fall of previous regimes and preceding the administration of Ashraf Ghani.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 24, 1957
- **Nationality:** Afghanistan (and historical iterations including the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, Republic of Afghanistan, and Kingdom of Afghanistan)
- **Education:** Attended Habibia High School and Middle East Technical University
- **Known for:** Serving as the President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014
- **Employer(s):** Government of Afghanistan
- **Field(s):** Politics, Government

## Contributions
Hamid Karzai's primary contribution was his role as the head of state of Afghanistan for over a decade. He served as President during the inception of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan in 2002 and continued to lead through the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 2004. His tenure covered the period from 2001 until 2014, overseeing the administration of a sovereign state that was a member of the United Nations and engaged in international relations with countries such as the United States and Germany.

## FAQs
- **When was Hamid Karzai born?**
  Hamid Karzai was born on December 24, 1957.
- **What offices did Hamid Karzai hold?**
  He served as the President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014.
- **Where did Hamid Karzai receive his education?**
  He attended Habibia High School in Afghanistan and Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
- **What awards has Hamid Karzai received?**
  He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, the Freedom Award, the Steiger Award, the Golden Plate Award, and the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
- **What is Hamid Karzai's connection to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan?**
  He served as the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from its establishment in 2004 until 2014, leading the government during the first decade of the republic's existence.

## Why They Matter
Hamid Karzai matters because he led Afghanistan through a pivotal transitional era following decades of conflict and regime changes. As the first President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, he was instrumental in establishing the government structure that replaced the Transitional Islamic State and preceded the 2021 political shift. His administration maintained Afghanistan's status as a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations, navigating complex geopolitical relationships and internal security challenges during the post-2001 reconstruction period.

## Notable For
- **Presidency:** Served as President of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014.
- **Leadership:** Listed as a notable leader of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021).
- **Citizenship:** Recognized as a notable figure and citizen of the Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978).
- **Awards:** Recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, Philadelphia Liberty Medal, Freedom Award, Steiger Award, Golden Plate Award, and Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
- **Education:** Alumnus of Habibia High School and Middle East Technical University.
- **Aliases:** Also known as Karzai and Hamid Abd al-Ahad Karzai.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Hamid Karzai was born on December 24, 1957. He is also known by the aliases Karzai and Hamid Abd al-Ahad Karzai. His education took place at institutions within Afghanistan and Turkey; he attended Habibia High School, a school in Afghanistan established in 1903, and Middle East Technical University, a state university located in Ankara, Turkey, which was founded in 1956.

### Political Career and Presidency
Hamid Karzai is defined by his extensive political career, primarily serving as the President of Afghanistan. His tenure lasted from 2001 to 2014, a period that encompassed the existence of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004) and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021). As President, he was the head of state during the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on January 26, 2004, succeeding the Transitional Islamic State.

Karzai's leadership occurred during a time when Afghanistan was a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations. The government he led maintained Kabul as its capital and utilized the afghani (AFN) as its official currency. His administration was responsible for the country's 34 provinces, including major regions like Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. He is listed among the notable figures of the Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978), indicating his long-standing presence in the country's political landscape.

### Nationality and Context
As an Afghan citizen, Karzai's life and career intersected with multiple historical periods of the Afghan state. These include the Kingdom of Afghanistan (1926–1973), the Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978), the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992), the Islamic State of Afghanistan (1992–2002), the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004), and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021). His presidency marked the transition from the interim governance established in 2002 to the full constitutional republic established in 2004.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Hamid Karzai has received numerous international awards recognizing his service and impact. These honors include:
*   **Indira Gandhi Peace Prize**: An award established in 1986 associated with India.
*   **Philadelphia Liberty Medal**: An American human rights award established in 1988.
*   **Freedom Award**: An award established in 1957 associated with the United States.
*   **Steiger Award**: A German media award established in 2005.
*   **Golden Plate Award**: An award conferred by the American Academy of Achievement.
*   **Order of Saint Michael and Saint George**: An order of chivalry from the United Kingdom established in 1818.

### Media and Public Image
Karzai's public image and official activities have been documented in various media. A notable image depicting his time in office is titled "Hamid Karzai listens to Barack Obama in Kabul 2012 (cropped).jpg," which captures a moment of diplomatic engagement during his presidency.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
4. Proleksis Encyclopedia
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
9. IdRef
10. BBC Things
11. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line