(HorizonPost.com) – The supreme leader of the Taliban warned the Afghan people against seeking worldly honor or money in a sermon last Monday to mark the festival of Eid al-Adha.
Speaking at a mosque in Kandahar, Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reminded the people about their duties as Muslims and repeated his previous calls for unity.
In his 23-minute sermon, Akhundzada said he was saddened by the differences between Taliban leaders and the people of Afghanistan and said that he sought brotherhood among all Muslims.
While dissent over Taliban rule is rare, the protests that do occur are dealt with swiftly and at times violently.
The reclusive Akhundzada said that he would abide by any decision to replace him as the Taliban’s supreme leader provided there was agreement on his removal.
He instructed the Afghans that as Muslims they were “created to worship Allah” and not to seek wealth or “worldly honor.”
He said the Taliban had promised Allah that they would “bring justice and Islamic law” to Afghanistan, but added that this could not happen unless Afghans were united. He said any lack of unity would be used by “the enemy” who would take advantage of it.
Under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, women have been barred from public spaces, forced to abide by dress codes, and prevented from getting an education or even many jobs.
Akhundzada also called on Taliban officials to heed the advice of religious scholars. He urged them not to be boastful or arrogant and to accept the truth about Islamic law.
The supreme leader’s warnings come just weeks before a delegation of Taliban officials travel to Qatar for another round of UN-hosted talks on Afghanistan, the first such meeting since the Taliban regained power in August 2021.
The Taliban was not included in the first round of talks and declined to attend the second after their demands to be treated as official representatives of Afghanistan were rebuffed.
No government officially recognizes the Taliban as the rulers of Afghanistan.
Copyright 2024, HorizonPost.com
