Hazara people's long suffering

First they fled fighting against occupation forces from the old Soviet Union. Then they came here to escape a vicious civil war.

The coming of the Taliban 12 years ago saw religious persecution intensify. And now they are running away from hunger, winter and American bombs.

The Hazara people of Afghanistan are its most culturally distinct, and most persecuted. Their gentle Mongolian features set them apart from other Afghans; so does their adherence to the Shia sect of Islam.

So long as they bomb, only the Taliban get food

Khadija

Traditionally they live in the central Afghan province of Bamiayan, and in southwest Kabul. And Jaghori District Now most are in exile, many in Quetta's Hazaratown district.

Dr Kasim Waheedi is typical of his people. He is slight in stature, generous and well-educated. He has lived in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and now Pakistan. And he is trying in his own small way to help his people cope with exile - he runs a primary school.

"Under the Taliban, life was unbearable for us," he said, reeling off a grim list of places where Hazaras have been massacred by fanatical Taleban commanders ready to use any excuse to kill Shia Muslims.

Dr Kasim Waheedi says.

"I came here earlier and watched as the Taleban were founded, so I realized that many, many more Hazara people would come to Quetta . That's why I run this school."

Prayer

The distinctly Shia call to prayer sounds as Mafila is speaking, summoning the faithful to a nearby mosque, or Imam bargha, as the places of worship are known in this branch of Islam.

The sound is more plaintive, and occasional Persian words are heard amongst the Arabic of the Holy Koran.

I have seen no food, I have seen only hungry children

Khadija

After prayers, five women file into the open courtyard of the building and resume spinning wool into yarn - a job that earns a dollar a day. Khadija is 45, named after the first wife of the Holy Prophet Mohammed. That Khadija was a successful businesswoman whose camel caravans traded up and down the Arab world of 1300 years ago.

Her modern namesake is destitute, an escapee from Kabul with an 80-year-old husband and four children to feed on a pittance.

When I tell her that some British political leaders have suggested that enough food is getting into Afghanistan - despite the bombardment - she gets angry and shouts at me.

She says

"I have seen no food, I have seen only hungry children," she said. "Someone died of hunger in this mosque that time. Where is this food? Where is this relief?

"So long as they bomb, only the Taleban get food. We Hazara people always suffer. Always. When will that ever change?"