While American troops have barely exited the war-torn regions of Afghanistan, an adventurous Taliban continues to annex new territories, having already seized control of over 85 per cent of the Afghan landmass. Along with the annexation, the Taliban has turned the clock back and ushered Afghanistan into its blood-infested, deadly and inhumane era of 1996-2001 where Taliban laws were the standard. Fatwas have begun to be issued with the latest one requiring members of Islamic clergy to compile a list of girls above 15 and widows under 45 so that they can be married to Taliban terrorists. Essentially, the Taliban wants sex slaves.
“All imams and mullahs in captured areas should provide the Taliban with a list of girls above 15 and widows under 45 to be married to Taliban fighters,” said the letter, issued in the name of the Taliban’s cultural commission.
New haphazard and incongruent orders are being forced upon Afghanistanis, with smoking and beard-shaving banned in areas – and women stopped from going out alone. The Taliban warned that anyone caught defying rules will be “seriously dealt with”.
Read More: Every single Afghan who helped the US in their country is now being hounded by the Taliban
Eerie similarities to 1996-2001
Like the Taliban of the yore where Women were mandated to don a burqa at all times, as showing the face would corrupt the noble, Islamic men – the Taliban of the present is continuing its regressive policy.
“They want to impose the restrictions that were imposed on women under their rule,” said Nahida, a 34-year-old resident of Balkh district, adding that the restrictions targeting women include ‘not leaving our houses’ without a male companion and wearing hijab.
Under its rule, girls could not go to school and women could not participate in public life, including holding political office or working outside the home. Although the outfit officially state that they no longer oppose girls’ education, very few Taliban officials actually permit girls to attend school past puberty. The caveat in the policy-making of the Taliban is that it would follow Islamic laws.
When the Afghan constitution came to being in 2004, the no. of women and girls in schools skyrocketed but since 2014, owing to the increasing influence of the Taliban, the number has come down drastically and if the terror outfits manage to get hold of all of the country, then it would mean the end of the road for Women education.
Taliban officials have already prohibited watching television and impose restrictions on smartphones by banning them outright in some cases, thereby limiting residents’ access to information and their ability to communicate, study, or work using the internet.
The Islamic system is the best — Taliban
The Afghan Taliban leaders attempting to masquerade as bureaucrats and leaders having the best interests of Afghans in mind cannot help but hide their love for the Sharia law and the freedom it provides to rule the people with impunity and violence.
Perhaps, it is the reason why Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban’s political office accepted last week that the best way to govern Afghanistan is by using the Islamic system i.e stoning citizens, raping women, pillaging towns and cities.
“We understand that the world and Afghans have queries and questions about the form of the system to be established following withdrawal of foreign troops. A genuine Islamic system is the best means for the solution of all issues of the Afghans,” said Mullah in a statement.
It is imperative to note that minorities like Hindus and Sikhs which have seen their population decline over 99 per cent in the last three decades might just vanish from the face of Afghanistan in the second innings of the Taliban.
Hindu Temples are not registered as Temples in Taliban ruled Afghanistan. They are merely registered in the name of certain people and deemed as private property. And according to Sharia law, these structures can be demolished at any time.
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One can see the commoners shuddering with the thought of a bleak future as the Taliban starts to control every aspect of life. Haji Rozi Baig, an Afghan, whilst talking to Financial Times remarked what exactly it feels to live in constant dread and dear.
“Under government control, we were happy and at least enjoyed some freedom. Since the Taliban took over, we feel depressed. At home, we can’t speak loudly, can’t listen to music and can’t send women to the Friday market.” said Haji Rozi Baig.
Taliban was never going to allow the elected government to function. Those hoping for otherwise were either downright naïve or hopelessly optimistic. Nonetheless, the Afghans are praying for a miracle that gets them out of their misery — one which appears very unlikely to happen.