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CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Taliban leader warns God will severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule
A man poses for the camera next to his bicycle while selling Taliban flags ahead of celebrations marking the fourth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the beginning of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ISLAMABAD — The Taliban leader warned God would severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule in the country, according to a statement released Friday marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. The Taliban seized Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces at the end of a two-decade war. Since then, they have imposed their interpretation of Islamic law on daily life, including sweeping restrictions on women and girls, based on edicts from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada, who is seldom seen in public, said in a statement that Afghans had endured hardships and made sacrifices for almost 50 years so that Islamic law, or Sharia, could be established. Sharia had saved people from 'corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery, and plunder.' His statement was shared on the social platform X by the Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid. 'These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget and, during the commemoration of Victory Day (Aug. 15), express great gratitude to Allah Almighty so that the blessings will increase,' said Akhundzada. 'If, against God's will, we fail to express gratitude for blessings and are ungrateful for them, we will be subjected to the severe punishment of Allah Almighty.' He also instructed the Cabinet and ministers to drop the word 'acting' from their job titles, signifying the permanence of a Taliban administration in Afghanistan and the lack of challengers to their rule. On Wednesday, at a Cabinet meeting in Kandahar, Akhundzada said the stability of the Taliban government lay in the acquisition of religious knowledge. He urged the promotion of religious awareness, the discouragement of immoral conduct, the protection of citizens from harmful ideologies, and the instruction of Afghans in matters of faith and creed, according to a statement from another government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat. Akhundzada ordered the Kabul Municipality to build more mosques, and there was a general focus on identifying means to 'further consolidate and fortify' the Islamic government, said Fitrat. Flower showers outside, women protest inside The country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis made worse by climate change, millions of Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan, and a sharp drop in donor funding. This year's anniversary celebrations are more muted than last year's, when the Taliban staged a military parade at a U.S. airbase. Officials have planned aerial floral showers and a sports display in the capital, Kabul. Cabinet members gave speeches earlier Friday listing the administration's achievements and highlighting diplomatic progress. Rights groups, foreign governments, and the UN have condemned the Taliban for their treatment of women and girls, who remain barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs, and most public spaces. Some venues for the official anniversary celebrations are off-limits to females because they are forbidden from entering parks and other recreational areas. Members of the United Afghan Women's Movement for Freedom staged an indoor protest on Friday in northeast Takhar province against Taliban rule. 'This day marked the beginning of a black domination that excluded women from work, education, and social life,' Parisa Mobariz said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. 'We, the protesting women, remember this day not as a memory, but as an open wound of history, a wound that has not yet healed. The fall of Afghanistan was not the fall of our will. We stand, even in the darkness.' There was also an indoor protest in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Afghan women held up signs that said 'Forgiving the Taliban is an act of enmity against humanity' and 'August 15th is a dark day.' The women were fully veiled, except for their eyes, in the photographs. The Associated Press
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Taliban leader warns God will severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule
The Taliban leader warned God would severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule in the country, according to a statement released Friday marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. The Taliban seized Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces at the end of a two-decade war. Since then, they have imposed their interpretation of Islamic law on daily life, including sweeping restrictions on women and girls, based on edicts from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada, who is seldom seen in public, said in a statement that Afghans had endured hardships and made sacrifices for almost 50 years so that Islamic law, or Sharia, could be established. Sharia had saved people from 'corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery, and plunder.' His statement was shared on the social platform X by the Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid. 'These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget and, during the commemoration of Victory Day (Aug. 15), express great gratitude to Allah Almighty so that the blessings will increase,' said Akhundzada. 'If, against God's will, we fail to express gratitude for blessings and are ungrateful for them, we will be subjected to the severe punishment of Allah Almighty.' He also instructed the Cabinet and ministers to drop the word 'acting' from their job titles, signifying the permanence of a Taliban administration in Afghanistan and the lack of challengers to their rule. On Wednesday, at a Cabinet meeting in Kandahar, Akhundzada said the stability of the Taliban government lay in the acquisition of religious knowledge. He urged the promotion of religious awareness, the discouragement of immoral conduct, the protection of citizens from harmful ideologies, and the instruction of Afghans in matters of faith and creed, according to a statement from another government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat. Akhundzada ordered the Kabul Municipality to build more mosques, and there was a general focus on identifying means to 'further consolidate and fortify' the Islamic government, said Fitrat. Flower showers outside, women protest inside The country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis made worse by climate change, millions of Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan, and a sharp drop in donor funding. This year's anniversary celebrations are more muted than last year's, when the Taliban staged a military parade at a U.S. airbase. Officials have planned aerial floral showers and a sports display in the capital, Kabul. Cabinet members gave speeches earlier Friday listing the administration's achievements and highlighting diplomatic progress. Rights groups, foreign governments, and the U.N. have condemned the Taliban for their treatment of women and girls, who remain barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs, and most public spaces. Some venues for the official anniversary celebrations are off-limits to females because they are forbidden from entering parks and other recreational areas. Members of the United Afghan Women's Movement for Freedom staged an indoor protest on Friday in northeast Takhar province against Taliban rule. 'This day marked the beginning of a black domination that excluded women from work, education, and social life,' Parisa Mobariz said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. 'We, the protesting women, remember this day not as a memory, but as an open wound of history, a wound that has not yet healed. The fall of Afghanistan was not the fall of our will. We stand, even in the darkness.' There was also an indoor protest in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Afghan women held up signs that said 'Forgiving the Taliban is an act of enmity against humanity' and 'August 15th is a dark day.' The women were fully veiled, except for their eyes, in the photographs.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Taliban leader warns God will severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule
ISLAMABAD — The Taliban leader warned God would severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule in the country, according to a statement released Friday marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. The Taliban seized Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces at the end of a two-decade war. Since then, they have imposed their interpretation of Islamic law on daily life, including sweeping restrictions on women and girls, based on edicts from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada , who is seldom seen in public, said in a statement that Afghans had endured hardships and made sacrifices for almost 50 years so that Islamic law, or Sharia, could be established. Sharia had saved people from 'corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery, and plunder.' His statement was shared on the social platform X by the Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid. 'These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget and, during the commemoration of Victory Day (Aug. 15), express great gratitude to Allah Almighty so that the blessings will increase,' said Akhundzada. 'If, against God's will, we fail to express gratitude for blessings and are ungrateful for them, we will be subjected to the severe punishment of Allah Almighty.' He also instructed the Cabinet and ministers to drop the word 'acting' from their job titles, signifying the permanence of a Taliban administration in Afghanistan and the lack of challengers to their rule. On Wednesday, at a Cabinet meeting in Kandahar, Akhundzada said the stability of the Taliban government lay in the acquisition of religious knowledge. He urged the promotion of religious awareness, the discouragement of immoral conduct, the protection of citizens from harmful ideologies, and the instruction of Afghans in matters of faith and creed, according to a statement from another government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat. Akhundzada ordered the Kabul Municipality to build more mosques, and there was a general focus on identifying means to 'further consolidate and fortify' the Islamic government, said Fitrat. The country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis made worse by climate change , millions of Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan, and a sharp drop in donor funding. This year's anniversary celebrations are more muted than last year's, when the Taliban staged a military parade at a U.S. airbase . Officials have planned aerial floral showers and a sports display in the capital, Kabul. Cabinet members gave speeches earlier Friday listing the administration's achievements and highlighting diplomatic progress. Rights groups, foreign governments, and the U.N. have condemned the Taliban for their treatment of women and girls, who remain barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs, and most public spaces. Some venues for the official anniversary celebrations are off-limits to females because they are forbidden from entering parks and other recreational areas. Members of the United Afghan Women's Movement for Freedom staged an indoor protest on Friday in northeast Takhar province against Taliban rule. 'This day marked the beginning of a black domination that excluded women from work, education, and social life,' Parisa Mobariz said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. 'We, the protesting women, remember this day not as a memory, but as an open wound of history, a wound that has not yet healed. The fall of Afghanistan was not the fall of our will. We stand, even in the darkness.' There was also an indoor protest in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Afghan women held up signs that said 'Forgiving the Taliban is an act of enmity against humanity' and 'August 15th is a dark day.' The women were fully veiled, except for their eyes, in the photographs.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Taliban leader warns God will severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban leader warned God would severely punish Afghans who are ungrateful for Islamic rule in the country, according to a statement released Friday marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. The Taliban seized Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces at the end of a two-decade war. Since then, they have imposed their interpretation of Islamic law on daily life, including sweeping restrictions on women and girls, based on edicts from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada, who is seldom seen in public, said in a statement that Afghans had endured hardships and made sacrifices for almost 50 years so that Islamic law, or Sharia, could be established. Sharia had saved people from 'corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery, and plunder.' His statement was shared on the social platform X by the Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid. 'These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget and, during the commemoration of Victory Day (Aug. 15), express great gratitude to Allah Almighty so that the blessings will increase,' said Akhundzada. 'If, against God's will, we fail to express gratitude for blessings and are ungrateful for them, we will be subjected to the severe punishment of Allah Almighty.' He also instructed the Cabinet and ministers to drop the word 'acting' from their job titles, signifying the permanence of a Taliban administration in Afghanistan and the lack of challengers to their rule. On Wednesday, at a Cabinet meeting in Kandahar, Akhundzada said the stability of the Taliban government lay in the acquisition of religious knowledge. He urged the promotion of religious awareness, the discouragement of immoral conduct, the protection of citizens from harmful ideologies, and the instruction of Afghans in matters of faith and creed, according to a statement from another government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat. Akhundzada ordered the Kabul Municipality to build more mosques, and there was a general focus on identifying means to 'further consolidate and fortify' the Islamic government, said Fitrat. Flower showers outside, women protest inside The country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis made worse by climate change, millions of Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan, and a sharp drop in donor funding. This year's anniversary celebrations are more muted than last year's, when the Taliban staged a military parade at a U.S. airbase. Officials have planned aerial floral showers and a sports display in the capital, Kabul. Cabinet members gave speeches earlier Friday listing the administration's achievements and highlighting diplomatic progress. Rights groups, foreign governments, and the U.N. have condemned the Taliban for their treatment of women and girls, who remain barred from education beyond sixth grade, many jobs, and most public spaces. Some venues for the official anniversary celebrations are off-limits to females because they are forbidden from entering parks and other recreational areas. Members of the United Afghan Women's Movement for Freedom staged an indoor protest on Friday in northeast Takhar province against Taliban rule. 'This day marked the beginning of a black domination that excluded women from work, education, and social life,' Parisa Mobariz said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. 'We, the protesting women, remember this day not as a memory, but as an open wound of history, a wound that has not yet healed. The fall of Afghanistan was not the fall of our will. We stand, even in the darkness.' There was also an indoor protest in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Afghan women held up signs that said 'Forgiving the Taliban is an act of enmity against humanity' and 'August 15th is a dark day.' The women were fully veiled, except for their eyes, in the photographs.
Bloomberg
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Trump Downplays Expectations for Summit Deal With Putin
00:00 Normally in diplomacy, you would hold that back a trip to the United States. We all remember when Trump raised the prospect in his first term of the Taliban coming to Camp David, and there were a lot of us sitting around. Maybe the reason they didn't come was that's just so strategically stupid. Yeah. And now we're inviting the leader of a country that's invaded an ally not to sign an agreement, not because he's made major, major concessions just to feel each other out, according to the president earlier today. That's not the sort of thing that you do in sequential order. You start with the substance and then you get to the superficial stuff. Right. They should, I guess, in the traditional sense, be showing up with an agreement already in hand. Right. We're coming here to codify this agreement. Will there be other people in the room? Will this go on for hours? What do you expect? Well, we know from past meetings, even past telephone calls, Trump likes to go mano a mano with Putin, maybe a Russian translator in there, which means there are no American eyes or ears on that conversation. Concerning, Yes. Who will be in the room? Probably. Marco Rubio, not least of which because he holds like 11 different cabinet positions at the moment. Yes. But also on top of that, look, the question of Vladimir Zelinsky, we are talking about Ukraine, and yet Ukraine still has a question mark. You know, and it's interesting, J.D. Vance yesterday saying, well, we'll kind of see and work that out. No, that's something you work out before you extend the invitation to Putin. And the price of Putin getting to come to the U.S. is sitting at a table with Vladimir Zelenskiy. And the notion that they haven't worked these things out ahead of time is just really perplexing. He just said this morning that the next meeting would likely between be between Putin and Zelensky, as he saw it, or all three of them, because he'd be glad to show up and help to mediate this. He's approaching this as the man who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. Does that bring its own liability? Well, let me disabuse those around this town who are floating the idea that the Nobel Committee, a committee of Swedes, Norwegians who believe firmly in things like anti-colonialism, are going to give a guy who's threatening to colonize not one, not two, but multiple countries the peace prize. Because when we talk about peace, we're not just talking about, you know, this kind of superficial social post that Trump puts out there and claims that it's a peace deal. We're talking about real substantive peace deals. And, Joe, you and I have had conversations about this. But, you know, when we're involved in peace deals, there are chapters, there are whole volumes that are involved of, you know, borders as well as how exchanges of troops and and the whole confidence building measure. None of that is here with any of these deals. Well, in the meantime, Vladimir Zelensky is sitting in his office reading stories about freezing lines in place that we're going to hand over the Donbass and Crimea. And the president referred to these so-called land swaps. He was asked about this earlier today, Brett. Let's listen to what he said. The next meeting will be with Zelensky and Putin or Zelensky and Putin. To me, I'll be there if they need. But I want to have a meeting set up between the two leaders. I was a little bothered by the fact that Zelensky was saying, Well, I have to get constitutional approval. He's got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap because there'll be some land swapping going on. And I know that through Russia and through conversations with everybody to the good for the good of Ukraine. Good stuff, Not bad stuff. Also some bad stuff for both. Some bad stuff. Land swapping. Are we talking about Donbas and Crimea in exchange for a sharp erasure of something very lopsided? What does he mean by swapping? Just to be clear, it is 2025. It is not 1825. Yeah. The president of the United States does not get to swap territories of other countries. That is why we had the Peace of Westphalia of 1638. It is critically important that Trump understand what he can and what he cannot negotiate away. And at the end of the day, not only Ukraine, but our European allies are not going to accept that Trump is rewarding somebody who invaded another country, that he is deciding what the borders of Ukraine will be. Ultimately, yes, it is up to the Ukrainian constitution. More importantly, it's up to the Ukrainian people to make that determination. Well, so far from the idea of rewarding Russia for its behavior, and that does seem to be the essence of the agreement that we have been talking about, at least in the past couple of days. By the way, there is an alternate European plan that we can get into as well that I'm not sure the president has a lot of interest in. But look, I'm going to ask you this and you might not want to answer it. A lot of the analysis recently has referred to Munich that the president is walking into the next Munich. Is that where your head is? I think it's worse in some it's worse. Yes, because in the sense that we face back in the run up to World War Two with Adolf Hitler, with the threat that he posed a clear and present danger. But what Putin does is actually, in many ways more nefarious, because he is yes, in some cases like in Ukraine, directly attacking a sovereign country, but in others he's undermining from inside. And that includes in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe and here in the United States. That, again, is why it is so strange that you would invite Vladimir Putin to American territory while he is still actively working to undermine our institutions, our ideals, the borders of the United States. I mean, he I think it was somewhat of a Freudian slip today when Trump suggested he was going to Russia. I certainly hope that Alaskan territory American territory is not in the cards with these land swaps. But, you know, there was a time, I do have to say, at least in the Munich Agreement, there was a European and American consensus about the rights of certain countries, about international law. There is not currently. And that's what makes this moment, Joe, so dangerous. European plan rejecting this Russian proposal here to keep the eastern Donbas. There was a big meeting over the weekend calling for a diplomatic end here and protect Ukraine's interests. Does Donald Trump care what our European allies think? He suggested he'd give them a call and let him know what happened after this meeting. So here's the funny thing. TRUMP Now, you know, a good 200 days into his term is starting to realize, yes, you can bluster, you can bulldoze over our allies, but then it comes back to bite you in the rear end because they are not going to cooperate in other ways. And yes, he can certainly with Ursula von der Leyen and the European Union, try to impose his 15% tariffs, one way tariffs on the EU. But they, in this notion of reciprocity in international relations, are able to find ways to be less cooperative on fronts that we need them.
