© Reuters
– Zabihullah Mujahid
Women will be able to enjoy the rights to work and education “under Sharia” and, as Muslim women, will be happy about it. Afghanistan will not be a center for the production of any drugs. Besides, “the difference between us now and 20 years ago is huge.”
These were the highlights of the Taliban’s first press conference in Kabul after taking control of the Afghan capital on Sunday, beginning with a recitation of the Koran by their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid today.
This comes at a time when the winners of the military conflict over the withdrawal of the United States (and the collapse of the Afghan army) Islamists do not yet have a government and are negotiating to “integrate” part of the current elite in the name of their legitimacy.
For many Afghans, the uncertainty at the moment about whether there will be a return to the gloomy period of 1996-2001, when they were last in power, is a formidable horror, despite assurances that the movement, which has adopted a radical interpretation of Islamic law, has changed.
The current situation looks very “military”, but “everything will be clearer” when a government is formed, the Mujahideen said. However, he left the possibility for changes in the listed “rules”, because “once a government is formed, it will decide what laws” to issue.
“Women will be happy”
According to the Mujahideen women they will enjoy all possible rights “within the Sharia” and the Qur’an, they will be able to be active in society. This came after the movement called for women to be active in the next government – but also after numerous reports that many advertising images of women in Kabul were already blurred.
“Our women are Muslim, they will be happy to live within Sharia,” Mujahid continued. His remarks are likely to haunt secular residents of major cities such as Kabul or the former stronghold of Taliban resistance, northern Mazar-e-Sharif. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (as the Taliban call themselves and their vision of the state) is committed to women’s rights under Sharia law.” The alternative to covering the face is “modest” clothing.
At the end of the last century, the Taliban did not allow women to work or go out unaccompanied or without a burqa covering their entire face (and an eye net), and girls could not study after the age of 10. Twenty years later The West in practice binds (at least on words) working with the Taliban with respect for women’s rights.
The interpretation in some major world publications, however, is that the movement promises a softer approach than between 1996 and 2001. UN spokesman Stefan Dujarric – like some human rights activists – is skeptical; in his words, it must first be seen “what will actually happen” and whether “action on the ground” will keep its promises.
Peace in Afghanistan and abroad
“We do not want any internal or external enemies, and we will maintain peaceful relations with other countries,” said Mujahid, who, according to US news agencies, remained in the shadows. He said the Taliban would not seek revenge on the previous government.
Moreover, they will facilitate the evacuation of foreigners, although they believe that everyone with the necessary talents can safely stay in Afghanistan. Today the Taliban announced an amnesty as well as for all government officials, but also for people hired by the almost withdrawn international forces, including those who worked for them as translators.
“No one will harm you, no one will knock on your doors,” Mujahid said, referring to civilian families fleeing to the airport. His belief that there is a “huge difference” between the Taliban now and those of 20 years ago is somewhat at odds with the claims of another of their representatives, Suhail Shahin, who in his media appearances failed to clearly distinguish himself from the previous government.
For now, this “soft” face includes assurances that the media will be able to work peacefully in the country, even (as Shahin admitted) to be critical. At the same time, the Mujahideen hinted that there was a certain cultural framework that the private media would probably have to follow.
“Alternative cultures”
“No kind of drugs” will be grown in Afghanistan, and there will be no smuggling “from now on.” However, “drug-free” Afghanistan will need help. The international community must help “so that we have alternative crops” because that would stop the cultivation of drugs.
At a time when the Taliban do not have access to the full reserves of their central bank (and most are in the United States), this promise seems like a test of the movement. Over the years, the Taliban have amassed much of their money from criminal activity, estimated at between several hundred million and $ 1.5 billion. These include opium production and drug trafficking.
– The Taliban have promised before that they will try to break away from the drug business.
The challenge also seems huge due to the fact that Afghanistan is the largest source of heroin in the world. The United States has spent billions trying to eradicate this business, from eradicating poppies to air strikes on alleged laboratories. The Taliban now want help from the international community for the same task to create alternative livelihoods.
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