Taliban Leader Extends Eid Greetings Only to Men

Hibatullah Akhundzada, the elusive leader of the Taliban, has extended Eid al-Fitr greetings exclusively to the men of Afghanistan, urging them to maintain ongoing cooperation with the Taliban’s "morality police."

In his message, Akhundzada emphasized that religious scholars should support the Taliban’s enforcement of "Islamic values" by educating people on correcting the beliefs of the youth and preventing "undesirable traditions." Additionally, he called on Taliban-controlled institutions to align educational curricula with Sharia law.

The Taliban leader also dismissed reports of widespread poverty and economic hardship in Afghanistan, claiming that such reports are "propaganda by malicious circles and intelligence agencies aimed at demoralizing the public."

This statement contradicts reports from reputable international organizations, which indicate that the human rights situation and economic conditions in Afghanistan under Taliban rule are deeply concerning. Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population faces extreme poverty and unemployment. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 23 million Afghans require humanitarian assistance.

Akhundzada's message also stressed the enforcement of "Sharia limits" on Afghan citizens by Taliban authorities, stating that their courts operate according to Hanafi jurisprudence. He further claimed that Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, now enjoys security and prosperity, saying, "There was a time when Afghan bodies were being carried out in coffins, and we were being bombed in these very days."

However, security concerns persist. The presence of ISIS in Afghanistan remains a major threat. In a report released in February 2024, the United Nations Security Council revealed that senior Al-Qaeda leaders are based in several rural provinces, including Sar-e Pol, Kunar, Ghazni, Logar, and Wardak, while lower-ranking members live in Kabul under the protection of Taliban intelligence. The report also noted that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) is no longer just a threat to Afghanistan but is expanding its influence into neighboring countries, including Central Asia, Iran, and Russia.

Akhundzada urged other nations to refrain from interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and not to "obstruct its stability, security, and progress."

Notably, his Eid message, which coincides with the start of the new academic year in Afghanistan, made no mention of the status of women or the continued ban on girls’ education beyond grade six.