Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, has called on religious scholars from the districts and urban areas of Kandahar Province to work toward strengthening a spirit of “obedience” among themselves and the public. The meeting was held today, Wednesday, 22th July, in Kandahar.
Addressing the religious scholars, the Taliban leader said: “Strive to strengthen the spirit of obedience both among yourselves and among the people, so that unity can be further reinforced and the grounds for discord can be eliminated.”
Hibatullah Akhundzada also stated that, in his view, a “Sharia-based system” has been established in Afghanistan and that allegiance to the “legitimate Islamic leader” was achieved through the consensus of Muslims and through jihad. He added that religious scholars should strengthen their relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and affection in order, as he claimed, to prevent opponents from creating divisions.
He urged religious scholars in Kandahar to fully cooperate with the Taliban, discourage people from what he described as “meaningless activities,” work to shape public opinion, and convey Taliban laws to the public while informing them about those regulations.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada has repeatedly emphasized “obedience” to his decrees and directives, as well as “allegiance” to the group’s leader.
These remarks come as, nearly five years after the Taliban’s return to power, the group’s government continues to lack broad domestic political legitimacy and international recognition. So far, with the exception of Russia, no other country has formally recognized the Taliban government.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
