Taliban’s Opposition to Islamic Sects; Nadeem: “All Afghans Are Followers of the Hanafi Denomination”
Nadeem
8am: Afghanistan is recognized for its diverse social, linguistic, and religious structure. The country encompasses multiple Islamic sects, various ethnic groups, and diverse languages, each with its believers and advocates. The religious freedoms of the Afghan people were officially acknowledged in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Still, since the Taliban’s return to power, they have disregarded the country’s diverse values, emphasizing forced homogenization and the negation of others. Recently, the acting Minister of Higher Education for the Taliban has denied the existence of other religions in Afghanistan, stating, “All Afghans follow the Hanafi school of thought.” He claims that there are no other religions in Afghanistan. Political activists and religious affairs experts argue that the Taliban do not believe in diversity and plurality in the country, persisting in their mono-ethnic, mono-religious, and mono-linguistic behaviors. Previously, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported that the Taliban had restricted religious freedoms. Additionally, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has expressed concern over the prohibition of religious freedom for Shiites by the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Increasing mental health issues among women due to restrictions in Afghanistan
Khaama: Women and girls in Afghanistan describe their lives under the rule of the Taliban administration as ‘a gradual death.’ According to human rights defenders, the current situation in Afghanistan is not desirable for any human being, and they ask the Taliban to modify its policies towards women. Still, after more than two years, no change has occurred in the Taliban’s approach to women’s freedoms. The group has openly refused to accept women’s freedoms and has increased its restrictions against them. The growing restrictions have led to an increase in suicides among women and girls, nearly doubled their mental and psychological problems, and severely limited their access to open environments and medical centres. Click here to read more (external link).
While Ukrainians Welcomed, Poland’s Afghans Say They Face Hardship And Exclusion
As many as 1,500 Afghans were airlifted to Poland after the Taliban retook Kabul in August 2021, and many say they face economic hardship in the country and are no longer receiving help from the state. They say Poland has prioritized support for the 1.6 million Ukrainians taken in since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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Rising Poverty and Taliban Oppression: One in Three Children Faces Hunger Crisis
Taliban militants (file photo)
8am: With the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan, the United Nations and other relief agencies have described the economic situation in the country as dire. Meanwhile, residents of the country are concerned about the continued unemployment, the spread of poverty, and the Taliban’s indifference to providing services. They say that with the arrival of the winter season, their problems have multiplied, and many children are forced to engage in difficult work alongside the streets. Click here to read more (external link).
Life under Taliban Rule
Tolo News in Dari – December 17, 2023
Pakistani official: Supporting terrorists will sink Afghanistan
Ariana: Minister for Information of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Jan Achakzai, on Saturday warned Afghanistan that supporting and harbouring terrorists will sink the country. He added that Pakistan’s foreign ministry has shared evidence with Kabul that shows terrorists have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and they are provided with weapons, but Kabul still plays a double game, which is unacceptable. Click here to read more (external link).
UN Chief: Taliban’s exiled opposition becomes more active
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Khaama: According to the report, while the political opposition in exile has become more active, the armed forces opposing the Taliban have not posed “any challenge” to the Taliban’s control of the territory in the past three months. The report also mentions that the Afghanistan Freedom Front was the most active military group opposing the Taliban during the reporting period, while the National Resistance Front was much less active than in 2022. According to the report, the National Resistance Front has not attacked Panjshir in the last three months. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Ministry of Defense Detains 9 Tajik-Origin Fighters in Takhar Province
8am: It is noteworthy that ethnic tensions, stemming from the predominantly Pashtun composition of the Taliban in Afghanistan, may be contributing to the detainment of Tajik individuals associated with the group in certain provinces. Click here to read more (external link).
Oppressed by the Taliban, she swallowed acid. Now her siblings are trying to save her life
CNN: Experts say reliable statistics on suicide and suicide attempts aren’t compiled in Afghanistan, but rights groups and doctors say they’ve seen an increase under Taliban rule. Click here to read more (external link).