Akhundzada, an Islamic scholar, not often seems in public or leaves the Taliban heartland in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province. He surrounds himself with different non secular students and allies who oppose training and work for ladies.
In latest months, Akhundzada seems to have taken a stronger hand in directing home coverage, banning women’ training after the sixth grade and barring Afghan girls from public life and work, particularly for non-governmental organizations and the United Nations.
The message was distributed in 5 languages: Arabic, Dari, English, Pashto and Urdu. The Taliban, Akhundzada says, have taken “important reform measures” in tradition, training, the financial system, media and different fields.
“The dangerous mental and ethical results of the 20-year occupation are about to complete,” he mentioned and extolled “dwelling within the gentle” of Sharia, or Islamic legislation.
This, he instructed Afghans, would result in the “well-being of our world and the hereafter, in addition to everlasting happiness, success and salvation of our society.”
Regardless of preliminary guarantees of a extra average rule than throughout their earlier stint in energy within the Nineties, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures since seizing Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces had been pulling out.
The Taliban have additionally barred girls from public areas, like parks and gymnasiums, and cracked down on media freedoms. The measures have triggered a fierce worldwide uproar, rising the nation’s isolation at a time when its financial system has collapsed — and worsening a humanitarian disaster.
Akhundzada reiterated his name for different nations to cease interfering in Afghanistan’s inside affairs, and mentioned Afghans shouldn’t depend on others for rebuilding and reconstruction efforts. He confused that the principle aim of the Taliban wrestle was implementing Islamic legislation in Afghanistan.
Michael Kugelman, the deputy director of the Asia program and senior affiliate for South Asia on the Wilson Middle, mentioned Akhundzada’s message was seemingly an try to unite Afghans, together with factions feuding inside the Taliban, by invoking their non secular ideology.
“It additionally telegraphs defiance directed on the worldwide neighborhood. In impact, we don’t welcome your criticism and we don’t want your largesse,” mentioned Kugelman.
In highlighting Taliban efforts to fight poppy manufacturing and an anti-corruption marketing campaign, the message may additionally have been an try to shore up Taliban legitimacy within the eyes of the Afghans, mentioned Kugelman.
Tuesday’s message got here simply days after the Taliban shared a uncommon, months-old audio message from Akhundzada during which he purportedly says that Afghanistan could be “ruined” with out justice handed out by the nation’s new rulers.
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