Taliban Group Upholds Strict Islamic Law

The Taliban made it clear it would be grounded in their strict interpretation of Islamic or Sharia law. This underscores the intentions of the line to continue the regulations implemented since replacing Afghanistan, more than a year ago.

Throughout its first few years in power in the late 1990s, the Taliban were met with executions, rapes and stoning, on those who could be proven guilty and sentenced to crimes in Taliban courts.

After they stormed Afghanistan in August 2021, when American and NATO forces were in the final few weeks of their withdrawal from the country after 20 years of war, the Taliban had previously promised to moderate and pass women's and minority rights.

But on the contrary, they are already dealing more harshly with rights and freedoms. Women are prohibited in parks, night markets, health centers, and even for the majority of duties.

Quoted in the Washington Post, Friday (11/18/2022), women in the country are ordered to cover themselves from head to toe. On the other hand, girls are forbidden to go to school after the sixth grade. The Taliban are limiting music and media.

According to Taliban jubir Zabihullah Mujahid, Hibatullah Akhunzada as the top leader of the line met with a Taliban judge a few days ago. They were instructed to apply Sharia law in their decisions.

Mujahid explained that this order moves understanding if Islamic law is already left in the Islamic Emirate, as the Taliban call their government. But that's not the case, he continued.

"It does not mean that the Islamic Emirate has not applied some of the rules of Allah Almighty since coming to power. On the contrary, the Islamic emirate has been committed to applying all Sharia law since its inception," he said.

Photos and videos of Taliban fighters punishing people for various abuses have been on social media in the past 15 months, although some officials have never verified the incident.

In Bamiyan province, a young woman and man were secured and publicly harassed 39 times each. A witness who lives in the region said the sentence was applied because they were counted as having an intercourse outside of marriage.

The public, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, explained he to the Shaheed Mazari stadium where the punishment took place. Several hundred residents on the spot saw but were forbidden to take photos and record. The Taliban could not be contacted to comment on the incident.

These rebel ranks are already trying to transition from resistance and war to government, amid economic downturn and international citizens' apprehension of legitimate statements.

The Federation of Nations (UN) explains that the growing anxiety about limiting the teaching of girls, and some other measures limiting basic freedoms, will deepen the critical Afghan economy and result in greater insecurity, poverty and isolation.