Taliban militants dancing (file photo)

8am: Firoz Jawed, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, also believes that the Taliban only oppose the celebration of festivals that are more prevalent among non-Pashtun ethnic groups. He adds, “The Taliban oppose Nowruz because they do not consider it a festival of their ethnic group. The Gul-e Narinj (Orange Blossom) Festival in Nangarhar was celebrated with much fanfare, and Taliban officials gave speeches there. The Gul-e Arghawan (Eastern Redbud Flower) Festival in Parwan was also celebrated, and Taliban members recited poetry. The Taliban did not show any opposition to these events.” He further states that the Taliban’s actions over the past three years indicate that the group only opposes festivals celebrated by non-Pashtun ethnic groups in Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).