Afghanistan's Medieval Morality Laws: A Stark Contrast to Centuries Past

Strategic Insights -

Amir Amanullah's reform efforts in the early 20th century aimed to modernize Afghanistan, focusing on education, land reform, lifting the veil, and shaving off beards. This endeavor starkly contrasts with the Taliban's codification of a "moral code" last week, which denies education to girls, restricts women's voices, and specifies the size of beards men are required to wear. The Taliban's actions reflect a medieval inclination that is unlike any other Muslim nation, with the partial exception of Iran.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Taliban's "moral code" denies education to girls, reinforcing the invisibility of women and specifying the size of beards men must wear.
  • Afghanistan's literacy rate was about two percent in 1919, with Amir Amanullah's reforms aiming to increase education, particularly for girls.
  • The Taliban's actions contradict the efforts of Amir Amanullah and Queen Soraya, who focused on land reform, lifting the veil, and shaving off beards.
  • Pakistan is attracting blame for the Afghan predicament, with many Afghan exiles blaming Pakistan for the resurgence of the Taliban.
  • The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, advised fellow Muslim nations to "take inspiration" from their "Sharia-based systems."
  • The Taliban's original incarnation was spawned in Pakistan's northwestern region by Saudi-funded and US-approved madressahs 30 years ago.
  • The Taliban's conquest of Afghanistan was aided by "the agencies" and guided by former ISI chief Hamid Gul.
  • Afghan exiles and even supporters of the Taliban's present dispensation are ill-disposed towards Pakistan.
  • The Taliban's morality laws give vast leeway to the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in terms of implementation.

Statistics:

  • Literacy rate in Afghanistan was about two percent in 1919.
  • The Saur "revolution" in 1978 failed to shift the dial in Afghanistan.
  • The Taliban's conquest of Afghanistan was aided by "the agencies" and guided by former ISI chief Hamid Gul for about 30 years.
  • The Taliban's ruler, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has proclaimed that publicly stoning or flogging women for adultery is not a violation of women's rights.
  • An aid worker anonymously contributed an article to The Guardian this month, arguing that aid must keep flowing to women in need.
  • Afghan women bear the brunt of the Taliban's retrogressive revival, while men unaligned with the Taliban are not spared.

Sources:

  • The original text does not specify a publication date.
  • The Rawalpindi peace treaty was signed in August 1919.
  • The Durand Line was established in 1919.
  • A New York Times report about the celebrations marking the third anniversary of the 2021 takeover.
  • An aid worker's anonymous article in The Guardian this month.
  • Zabihullah Mujahid's statement advising fellow Muslim nations to "take inspiration" from the Taliban's "Sharia-based systems."
  • Hibatullah Akhundzada's statement on publicly stoning or flogging women for adultery.
  • The Guardian article mentioning aid worker's opinion.