I’ve previously covered the history of our 20 year war in Afghanistan, but today I’ll cover specifically who and what the Taliban is and what their takever of Afghanistan is likely to mean. https://drjonsicu.com/our-20-year-war-in-afghanistan-in-5-minutes/ It’s not likely to be pretty picture for women particularly!
The word Taliban actually means “students” in a language called Pashto and they emerged in the early 1990’s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The “students” were primarily in religious seminaries mostly supported by Saudi Arabia, that practice what is known as Sunni Islam. Sunni Muslims regard their denomination as the mainstream and traditionalist branch of Islam—as distinguished from the minority denomination, the Shiʿah. The Taliban’s goal was to restore peace and security and enforce their own conservative version of Sharia or Islamic law, once they were in power. From south-western Afghanistan, the Taliban quickly extended their influence. In September 1995 they captured the province of Herat, bordering Iran, and one year later they captured the Afghan capital, Kabul, overthrowing the regime of President Rabbani – one of the founding fathers of the Afghan mujahideen that resisted the Soviet occupation. By 1998, the Taliban were in control of almost 90% of Afghanistan. Afghani’s generally welcomed the Taliban when they first appeared but Sharia Law was instituted and things like public executions and amputations began to take place. Additionally women were required to wear the total body covering known as a burka and men were required to grow beards. The Taliban also banned television, music and cinema, and disapproved of girls aged 10 and over going to school.
Then came September 11, 2001. Ironic that this is the 20 year anniversary of that terrible day when the World Trade Centers were toppled, The Pentagon attacked and a third hijacked plane flown into the ground in Pennsylvania. The Taliban were accused of providing a sanctuary for the prime suspects – Osama Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda movement. On October 7, 2001, a US-led military coalition launched attacks in Afghanistan, and by the first week of December the Taliban regime had collapsed. The fighting continued for the next 20 years costing 1 TRILLION dollars and 2445 American lives. What a waste of lives, money and now the shame in the way in which Biden has surrendered Afghanistan back to the Taliban.
Let’s talk a little about Sharia law.
Sharia is Islam’s “legal system”. It is derived from the Quran, Islam’s holy book, as well as the Sunnah and Hadith – the deeds and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Sharia acts as a code for living that all Muslims should adhere to, including prayers, fasting and donations to the poor. Where an answer cannot be derived directly from these, religious scholars may give rulings as guidance on a particular topic or question. Very similar to those that adhere to the teachings in the Bible or Torah. Islamic jurists issue guidance and rulings. Guidance that is considered a formal legal ruling is called a fatwa. The problem is that Sharia Law is imposed on EVERYONE whether they believe in it or not! Aside from the rules about prayers, fasting and conduct, it deals with crimes. For example, theft might result in having your hand cut off! The rules surrounding women’s behavior may be the most extreme change that will be seen in Afghanistan. Prior to American intervention in 2001 women seen in public without a male relative could be abducted and forced into marriage, and women who were sexually assaulted could be executed! Under the Taliban’s extremist interpretation of sharia law, women receive “virtually no rights.” It will remain to be seen how much the Taliban reverse some of the progress women have made.
So what else is likely to happen in Afghanistan? It remains to be seen. They intend to rename the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Thousands from all the countries that have been involved in the 20 year war remain stranded. There are reports already of executions of those that were loyal to the Afghan government. The Taliban are actually a rather loose knit group of various tribes and it’s likely the country will return to many of the policies seen prior to 2001. The Taliban has said that it will “respect women’s rights within Islamic law”……well that’s reassuring! The Taliban say they intend to be moderate and be part of the international community. We’ll soon see……..or likely WON’T……. once they’ve locked the doors to Afghanistan.
