Category: Afghanistan

New speech from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Dhabīḥ Allah Mujāhid: “At the Inauguration Ceremony of the Doha Meeting”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful

Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the United Nations, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, respected representatives of countries and institutions, and especially the representative of the host country, Qatar, good evening!

I am pleased to represent the government and people of Afghanistan at such an opportune moment, initiated by the United Nations for Afghanistan, and to meet with representatives from numerous countries and international organizations.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of the government of Qatar for their valuable assistance in organizing and facilitating this meeting.

Our participation in this Doha meeting demonstrates that, despite the considerations we have, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to positive engagement.

We perceive the current Doha meeting as a crucial opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue regarding the unilateral and multilateral sanctions imposed on some officials and our financial and banking sectors, as well as the broader challenges confronting our national economy. This forum represents a positive step towards addressing these issues and providing reassurance to the Afghan people that the imposed restrictions on our nation will be alleviated in due course.

Dear Participants!

Afghans are questioning why the easing of sanctions on financial and trade sectors remains slow-paced? Why the government and the private sector consistently confronting various challenges? Afghans, who have been suffering from war and insecurity as a result of foreign invasions and interference for almost half a century, ultimately, gained independence, ended the war and built a system aimed at fostering positive engagement with the world, however, in return they faced sanctions and restrictions?

Is it fair and appropriate?

I do not deny that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate. I think that policy differences amid states are natural, and it is the duty of experienced diplomats to find ways of interaction and understanding rather than confrontation.

The policy differences should not escalate to the extent that powerful countries use their leverage to impose security, political, and economic pressures on our people, affecting the lives of our nation in a significant way.

In addition, despite unilateral and multilateral sanctions and pressures, we banned the cultivation, processing and smuggling of poppy which affected the world.

Poppy cultivation, which remained as a significant challenge in Afghanistan, we reduced it to almost zero; however, in contrast, instead of recognizing and commending these initiatives, lifting banking restrictions to stimulate the country’s economy and unfreezing national reserves, some countries have continued with their policy of non-cooperation.

Dear Participants!

As our nation has fought throughout history for political independence and made historical sacrifices, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is now endeavoring to achieve economic independence by laying the foundations of a self-sustaining and secure national economy. We are committed to advancing real economic development in Afghanistan, taking initial steps towards creating jobs, establishing factories, lifting people out of poverty, and creating business opportunities for women.

We appreciate the countries that provide humanitarian aid, however, the main solution to the economic obstacles of Afghans is to remove unilateral and multilateral sanctions, provide development aid and allow the government and people of Afghanistan to utilize their capacities without restrictions for the revival of the national economy.

An essential element of our foreign policy is economic orientation. With our economically oriented foreign policy, we have been able to provide connectivity to the region through Afghanistan. With the construction of the transportation railway from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan in the north, Central Asia will be connected with South Asia. Our respective entities are working closely with our Uzbek and Pakistani counterparts.

In collaboration with Turkmenistan, we have made significant progress regarding the implementation of the ambitious gas pipeline project (TAPI) over the past two years. This milestone ensures positive participation in energy exchange and connectivity between Central and South Asia through Afghanistan.

Furthermore, we have declared our commitment to the North-South corridor and look forward to collaborating with partner countries along this corridor.

In addition, with the end of the occupation and war in Afghanistan, not only that the opportunity to use its national capacities for the revival of the national economy of Afghanistan has been provided, rather, the entire region benefits from the security and stability in Afghanistan.

The relationships with regional countries demonstrate that the Islamic Emirate has the commitment and capacity to establish and maintain relations. Consequently, other nations, particularly Western countries, can remove the obstacles hindering the development of relations with the Afghan government. Like the regional countries, they can take genuine and practical steps toward positive engagement.

Dear Participants!

As mentioned, differences of opinion in certain areas are natural. However, the important thing is that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has the will and commitment for positive interaction, enhancing relationships.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is keen on engaging constructively with Western nations as well. Like any sovereign state, we uphold certain religious and cultural values and public aspirations that must be acknowledged to facilitate progressive bilateral relations rather than encountering disputes and stagnation.

Our aspiration is for the national sovereignty, independence, values, and preferences of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to be duly respected, as affirmed by the United Nations Charter.

By delineating Afghanistan’s internal matters from foreign relations, we could potentially achieve significant advancements in both bilateral and multilateral engagements. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan now represents a government that is the culmination of the Afghan people’s decades-long struggles. The political understanding between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and other nations is steadily improving. For instance, Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its list of prohibited groups last month, and it is anticipated that the Russian Federation will undertake a similar measure in the near future. Concurrently, the People’s Republic of China has officially recognized the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Furthermore, numerous countries have accepted diplomats from the Afghan government, and we have active political representations.

Just as the regional countries have positively interacted with the current government of Afghanistan as a responsible system, we hope that Western countries will also prioritize mutual bilateral interests in a similar manner.

I would like to draw your attention to another critical humanitarian crisis:

Since last October, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Palestine, has become the first genocide in history to be broadcasted live. This tragedy has severely undermined the credibility of countries and organizations that profess to uphold human rights.

It is important to note that certain entities directly involved in this humanitarian atrocity lack the moral standing to lecture us on human rights.

Over the past three years, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has firmly established itself as a centralized, strong, and authoritative regime domestically. It has made substantial progress in developing national institutions, implementing infrastructure projects, and revitalizing the national economy. Moreover, it has achieved significant strides in enhancing bilateral relations with numerous countries, as evidenced by improved relations with neighboring and regional states.

Dear Participants!

To ensure the Doha meeting is productive and meaningful, we must focus on the following objectives to establish trust and demonstrate our collective commitment to Afghanistan’s security, stability, and prosperity:

First, the removal of all restrictions and sanctions, as well as the annulment of previous resolutions that have created significant barriers for Afghanistan’s private sector.

Second, the unfreezing of all foreign reserves of Da Afghanistan Bank, which are the legitimate property of the Afghan people, and restoring them to the bank’s control to:

• Enhance the implementation of monetary policy,

• Strengthen the commercial banks, and

• Enable Da Afghanistan Bank to fulfill its foreign currency obligations to commercial banks.

The continued freezing of these reserves has severely impaired the ability of commercial banks to meet the currency needs of their clients, both domestically and internationally. Consequently, customers are often forced to resort to illegal methods to sustain their trade operations.

For the growth of the private sector, it is crucial that interactions between our banks and foreign banks resume, this will enable our traders to engage in commercial activities globally through legal (banking) channels.

Third, while Afghanistan has made significant strides in combating the cultivation, production, processing, and trafficking of narcotics, and continues to do so, it is essential to provide alternative livelihoods for Afghan farmers. This is a shared responsibility that must be addressed collectively, and Afghanistan should not be left to manage this challenge alone.

I propose the formation of working groups to address these issues and look forward to having effective and productive discussions with respected representatives on these matters.

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New issue of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan magazine: “al-Ṣumūd Magazine #222″

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

For prior issues in this magazine see: #221, #220, #219, #218, #217, #216, #215, #214, #213, #212, #211, #209/210, #208, #207, #206, #205, #204, #203, #202-201, #200, #199, #198, #197, #196, #195, #194, #193, #192, #191, #190, #189, #188, #187, #186, #185, #184, #183, #182, #181, #180, #179, #178,  #177, #176, #175, #174, #173, #172, #171, #170, #169, #168, #167, #166, #165, #164, #163, #162, #161, #160, #159, #158, #157, #156, #155, #154, #153, #152, #151, #150, #149, #148, #147, #146, #145, #144, #143, #142, #141, #140, #139, #138, #137, #136, #135, #134, #133, #132, #131, #130, #129, #128, #127, #126, #125, #124, #123, #122, #121,#120, #119,#118,#117,#116,#115,#114, #113, #112, #111, #110, #109, #108, #107, #106, #105, #104, #103,#102,#101,#100,#99, #98, #97, #96,#95, #94, #93, #92,#91, #90, #89, #88, #87, #86, #85, #84, #83, #82, #81, #80, #79, #78, #77, #76, #75, #74, #73, #72, #71, #70, #69, #68, #67, #66, #65, #64, #63, #62, #61, #60, #59, #58, #57, #56, #53, and #51.

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Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — al-Ṣumūd Magazine #222

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To inquire about a translation for this magazine issue for a fee email: [email protected]

New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Mawlāwī Hībat Allah Akhūnd Zādah: “Congratulatory Message On the Occasion of a Blessed ‘Īd al ‘Aḍḥā”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

الله أکبر الله أکبر، لا إله إلا الله والله أکبر، الله أکبر ولله الحمد

الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا من يهده الله فلا مضل له ومن يضلل فلا هادي له وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله. صلوات الله تعالی و سلامه علیه و علی آله و أصحابه أجمعین.

اما بعد: فقد قال الله عز وجل:

ــــ  قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٦٢﴾ الانعام   

Translation: Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are dedicated solely to Allah Almighty, the Lord of all worlds (Aziz al-Tafasir, Volume 4, p. 403).

ـــ  وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ … وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوٓا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

[سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة : ۱۹۶]

Translation: And perform the Hajj and Umrah with utmost sincerity, solely for the sake of pleasing Allah Almighty… and fear from Allah, and be aware that indeed, Allah Almighty is severe in punishment (Tafsir Kabuli, Volume 1, p. 163-166).

ــ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضی الله تعالی عنه  قَالَ : ضَحَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- بِكَبْشَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ ذَبَحَهُمَا بِيَدِهِ وسَمّى وَكَبّرُ قال: رَأَيْتُهُ وَاضِعًا قَدَمَهُ عَلَى صِفَاحِهِمَا وَيَقُولُ بسم الله والله اکبر، متفق عليه.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sacrificed two rams with horns (whose horns were long or not broken) and a speckled (black and white) sheep. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) slaughtered them with his hand Mubarak, saying “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.” Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) placing his foot Mubarak on their sides or necks while saying “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (Bukhari and Muslim).

In short, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sacrificed two speckled rams with horns, personally slaughtered them, recited “Bismillah,” proclaimed the Takbir, and placed his foot Mubarak on their sides.

ــ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ « مَا عَمِلَ آدَمِىٌّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ إِهْرَاقِ الدَّمِ إِنَّهَا لَتَأْتِى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَأَظْلاَفِهَا وَإِنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ مِنَ الأَرْضِ فَطِيبُوا بِهَا نَفْسًا» مشکوة جلد ۱ ، ص ۱۲۸

ترجمه: بي بي عائشه  رضي الله تعالی عنها فرمایي: چې رسول الله صلي الله علیه وسلم وفرمایل:

Bibi Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no act performed by the offspring of Adam on the Day of Sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood (through sacrifice). Indeed, the sacrificed animal will come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves. The blood of the sacrifice reaches the acceptance of Allah before it falls into the ground (i.e., at the moment of intention). Therefore, find contentment in your act of sacrifice.

To the Faithful and Mujahid Nation of Afghanistan and all Muslims Around the World!

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

First of all, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the occasion of the auspicious Eid-ul Adha. May Allah Almighty accept your sacrifices, charitable acts, pilgrimages, and all virtuous deeds.

As these days of worship and sacrifice come upon us while we are blessed with a Sharia-based system and comprehensive peace, therefore, we must all express our gratitude to Allah Almighty, so that we may be deemed worthy of further divine blessings.

Praise be to Allah Almighty, with the advent of the Islamic Emirate, Sharia system has been established across Afghanistan. The sacred Islamic Sharia is being enforced, and significant measures have been taken to elevate religious practices and to expand and strengthen religious centers. These achievements represent the goals and values for which our devout people have long struggled and made immense sacrifices.

In our homeland, Islamic brotherhood and unity have been reinforced. Public assets, such as mines, land, forests, and other properties, are safeguarded as part of the public treasury.

Under the governance of the Islamic Emirate, the Sharia rights of all citizens are ensured and protected. No individual can commit injustice or aggression against others; oppression is prevented, and the rights of the oppressed are upheld.

Through the functioning of Sharia courts, the sacred Sharia is being implemented, and the great duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil is being practically fulfilled. In this regard, actions are taken in accordance with Sharia principles to achieve societal reform.

With the help and grace of Allah Almighty, significant steps have been taken, and continue to be taken, in various sectors such as reconstruction, agriculture, irrigation, road construction, and mineral extraction, and these are all as a result of the Islamic Emirate’s wisdom, clear policies, sincerity, and transparency, ultimately fostering significant progress and a promising future for all.

The Islamic Emirate calls upon all investors and traders to invest in various sectors for further economic development and to alleviate the economic difficulties faced by our people.

The Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring the security and upholding the rights of investors and is dedicated to creating the necessary facilities for them to promote Afghanistan’s prosperity and economic development. All Emirate institutions are mandated to create environment conducive and to address and fulfill the needs of investors in this regard.

The Islamic Emirate is firmly dedicated to securing the rights and providing assistance to orphans, widows, the disabled, and the impoverished. We also call upon affluent Afghans to remember the underprivileged and orphans and to give full attention to their care and support.

Significant measures have been taken to address begging, with thousands of identified needy individuals receiving assistance from the Islamic Emirate.

The Islamic Emirate seeks to establish political and economic relations within the framework of Sharia, particularly with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its obligations in this regard.

I advise the officials of the Islamic Emirate to diligently fulfill their responsibilities in serving the people, ensuring security, and enhancing their well-being. They should keep the doors open to the public, execute their duties efficiently and promptly, and never treat the people in a manner that makes them feel alienated from the authorities.

I instruct the security officials to pay special attention to the well-being, service, and safety of the people, especially during the days of Eid. All necessary measures should be taken to ensure their happiness and peace. They should also visit the families of martyrs, the disabled, and orphans, providing assistance to the best of their ability.

Esteemed Citizens!

It is our shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and serve our Sharia-based system. This system has been established through the sacrifices of our martyrs and the immense efforts of our Mujahideen and Muslim nation. Let us stand united and committed to its preservation, working together in solidarity to thwart the schemes and conspiracies of our enemies, and valuing the security, prosperity, development, and Sharia governance we enjoy. It is incumbent upon us to foster an environment conducive to progress and prosperity, thereby ensuring the well-being of all constituents.

Praise be to Allah Almighty, this year, up to thirty thousand pilgrims from Afghanistan have traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the great duty of Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs of Afghanistan, along with other relevant institutions, are providing them with comprehensive care and necessary facilities. I urge pilgrims from around the world gathered at the Holy Mosques (Mecca and Medina) to pray for the entire Islamic Ummah, especially the oppressed Muslims of Palestine and our suffering people, so that Allah Almighty grants them success and honor in this world and the hereafter.

In recent weeks, Afghanistan has faced severe challenges due to floods, rains, and other disasters, resulting in significant losses and hardships for our people. We extend our deepest condolences to all Afghans affected by these tragedies and pray for the martyrs to be granted the highest ranks in Paradise, the wounded to recover swiftly, and for patience and rewards to be bestowed upon the families of the victims.

We commend all the institutions, ministries, and Mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate for their unwavering efforts in rescuing and serving our people to the best of their abilities during these difficult times. We also implore upon the business community, the affluent, and the general public to contribute towards alleviating the suffering and pain of their fellow Afghans with their resources, and to not withhold any form of financial and moral support.

The relevant government institutions, and Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate have been assisting forcibly repatriated refugees from neighboring countries in areas such as identification, transportation, health, and more, as well as plan to distribute land to them is underway. I call upon traders, the wealthy, and all Afghans to support these refugees within their means and not to withhold any assistance from them.

During the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul Adha, please visit the homeless families and include them in the joy of Eid.

We strongly condemn the Israeli Zionist attacks and oppression on women, children, and innocent Muslims in Gaza and other regions of Palestine. We call on other countries to fulfill their obligations effectively to prevent these heinous crimes and brutal atrocities.

In conclusion, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations on the arrival of Eid-ul Adha. May Allah Almighty grant us the joy of celebrating future Eids in complete independence, peace, and under the shadow of an Islamic system, and may our Islamic principles flourish in an environment of stability and contentment.

Sheikh-ul Quran and Hadith, Mawlavi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate

14/6/2024

۷/۱۲/۱۴۴۵ هـ ق

۲۵/۳/۱۴۰۳هـ ش

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