8am: The inauguration of a major hospital in Kabul could have been a positive development in itself, especially under a regime whose name is synonymous with violence, bloodshed, and a detachment from public service. Yet, by omitting Persian from the hospital’s signage, the Taliban turned what should have been a celebrated moment into a source of controversy. Observers noted that the hospital’s plaques and signs feature only Pashto and English, effectively sidelining Persian, a language that Taliban officials and spokespeople have repeatedly claimed is official and national. This exclusion is neither accidental nor administrative negligence; it is a deliberate, politically motivated decision aimed at reinforcing a policy of anti-Persian sentiment. Click here to read more (external link).