Taliban Leader Rejects Western Laws, Declares Democracy Dead in Afghanistan
The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan has firmly rejected the need for Western-style laws, declaring that democracy has come to an end as sharia laws take precedence. The Taliban’s reclusive leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, made these remarks during a sermon marking the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr in the southern city of Kandahar.
Akhundzada, who has taken a stronger hand in directing Taliban policy since the group’s seizure of power in 2021, emphasized the importance of Islamic laws and criticized the West, accusing non-believers of uniting against Muslims. He cited the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza as an example of this perceived hostility.
The Taliban’s interpretation of sharia has led to a series of restrictive measures that have isolated the group on the international stage. Afghan women and girls have been banned from education, employment, and access to public spaces, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and the global community.
Despite some initial promises of a more moderate rule, the Taliban’s leadership under Akhundzada has doubled down on its hardline stance, rejecting any notion of Western-style democracy. The group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has published Akhundzada’s 50-minute audio message on the social media platform X, further solidifying the Taliban’s position.
This latest development comes as the interim Afghan administration has rejected the United States’ offer to release frozen Afghan currency assets in exchange for the return of US military hardware left behind during the withdrawal. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, has stated that the arms are now considered state assets of Afghanistan and that the country is open to business with all nations, including the US, for investment in the mineral sector.
