Afghans Support Palestine Through Action Not Words, Taliban’s Haqqani Tells Turk Scholars
At Kabul University's graduation party, the Taliban's interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, mentioned a recent meeting with Turkish scholars.
He noted that the Turkish delegation did not view the Taliban's stance against Israel's attacks on Gaza as “strong”.
Haqqani told them, "Afghans are revolutionary people, they are people of action rather than words."
He stated, "The Turks came to see me and asked me why the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] did not react earlier on the Palestinian issue. I told them that the people of Afghanistan are very revolutionary, they are not people of words, they are people of action.”
The Taliban's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza at least twice. However, unlike the Turkish president and several Iranian and Arab politicians, Taliban officials have refrained from taking harsh positions and expressing controversial statements about Israel.
In contrast to Iran, Afghanistan, under the Taliban's rule, has witnessed minimal demonstrations condemning Israel's attacks on Palestinians.
On November 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that if Israel's ongoing massacre in Palestine persists, it would demonstrate to the entire world that the country has transformed into a "terrorist state”.
Taliban officials have rarely spoken out or reacted strongly to Israel's attacks on Gaza.
The Taliban's interior minister said, "If our leadership addresses the issue of Palestine today, who can control the Afghans?”
Sirajuddin Haqqani regarded the Taliban government as "more sympathetic" than any other government toward Muslim countries.
In his address to the students, he stated, "The hope of Muslims worldwide, lies in this Islamic system [Taliban]. No other system in the world is as compassionate and empathetic towards Muslims; only this system possesses such qualities.”
On Thursday, a ceremony took place in Kabul University's auditorium, featuring senior Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, Minister of Defence, and Neda Mohammad Nadim, Minister of Higher Education.
The Taliban's interior minister noted that in the past, madrassas and universities viewed each other with suspicion and were "very hostile”. He highlighted that now they are united, emphasising that Afghanistan can advance when "internal unity" becomes strong.
He claimed that the Taliban leader has given more privileges to "higher education and schools than religious schools”.
Addressing the students, Haqqani said that those with "opposing" views should know that the Taliban regime is an Islamic and Ulema system. He cautioned against spreading ideas contrary to the regime, emphasising on the importance of avoiding corruption.
This senior Taliban figure also addressed the Security Council in his speech. Haqqani stated that the council members have referred to both the advancements and setbacks of the Taliban. However, he emphasised in his address that the Taliban will not submit to pressure.
Haqqani said that a clear message has been conveyed to the world, and it's a matter of satisfaction that the Islamic Emirate does not bow its head under the pressure of anyone.
During Wednesday's meeting of the UN Security Council, all member countries, including Russia and China, who are considering recognition of the Taliban, highlighted the threat posed by terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Even Pakistan, a supporter of the Taliban, acknowledged the presence of terrorist groups under the protection of the Taliban in Afghanistan, launching attacks on Pakistani soldiers from the region.
However, Haqqani once again emphasised that Afghanistan is not a threat to any country and adheres to the Doha Agreement.
