The leader of the Taliban emphasized on Sunday that there is no requirement for Western laws in Afghanistan and pronounced democracy defunct while sharia laws are in effect. These assertions were made by Hibatullah Akhundzada during a sermon commemorating the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, which took place at the Eidgah Mosque in the southern city of Kandahar. The 50-minute audio account of his message was uploaded on X by Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson for the Taliban government.
In his address, Akhundzada declared, “There is no need for laws that originate from the West. We will create our own laws,” while speaking in Pashto and stressing the significance of Islamic laws. The Taliban’s strict interpretation of sharia has resulted in prohibitions against Afghan women and girls, excluding them from education, numerous job opportunities, and most public arenas. These actions have led the Taliban to become isolated internationally, although they have managed to build diplomatic connections with nations such as China and the United Arab Emirates.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Akhundzada has asserted more influence over policy direction, despite some officials initially assuring a more moderate approach to governance. On Sunday, Akhundzada criticized Western countries, asserting that non-believers have banded together against Muslims. He highlighted the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza as an example of the U.S. and others being united in their opposition to Islam.
Akhundzada proclaimed that democracy has ceased in Afghanistan, with sharia law now prevailing, while accusing democracy supporters of attempting to detach the populace from the Taliban government. Despite lacking any credible opposition both within and outside the country, certain senior members within the administration have expressed discontent with the leadership’s decision-making process and the concentration of authority around Akhundzada.
Some within the Taliban are advocating for increased engagement with the global community and the elimination of more severe policies to garner greater external support. In recent months, there has been a rise in interactions between the Taliban and the U.S., particularly under President Donald Trump, primarily involving prisoner exchanges and releases.