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In a June 25, 2023 statement, Mullah Hibbatullah Akhundzada, the emir of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), greeted the people of Afghanistan and Muslims on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, the three-day feast of sacrifice that in 2023 will begin on June 29.
Akhundzada also used the annual occasion to criticize Israel for its actions against Palestinians and urged the government and people of Sudan to set aside their differences and "work together for unity and brotherhood."
His annual message stresses that an Islamic system has been established by the Afghan Taliban and shari'a is being enforced across Afghanistan. Though he does not mention the Taliban government's ban on the education of girls after sixth grade, he says that the international community must not interfere in the "internal affairs" of Afghanistan, meaning foreign nations should not ask the Taliban rulers to lift the ban on girls and women, or include members of religious minorities and women in their government.
Following is the text of the message:
"Under The Rule Of The Islamic Emirate, The Islamic System Has Been Established, The Islamic Shari'a Law Has Been Implemented, And Concrete Steps Have Been Taken To Strengthen The Religious Centers"
"To the Mujahid Nation of Afghanistan and to the Muslims Around the World
"I wish you all a very happy Eid. May Allah accept your charity, pilgrimages, services, and all good deeds in the path of Islam. I hope you celebrate these days with happiness and perform Eid prayers, pilgrimage, and all worship properly.
"On this auspicious day, millions of Muslims from all over the world perform pilgrimage and it is a day of worship and brotherhood that invites Muslims to unite, sympathize, and give charity in the path of Allah.
"Our countrymen are celebrating Eid while the Islamic system exists, and peace is ensured throughout the country. Therefore, we should thank Allah Almighty to gain further rewards. Under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, the Islamic system has been established, the Islamic shari'a law has been implemented, and concrete steps have been taken to strengthen the religious centers. Reforms are underway in law-making, governance, judiciary, economy, culture, and other related fields. These are the goals and values for which we have fought and made great sacrifices.
"At the national level, the independence of Afghanistan has been restored once again, brotherhood and national unity have been strengthened, all kinds of prejudices such as race, language, and region have been eliminated, the territorial integrity of the country has been preserved and all borders are strictly defended and protected. Afghanistan's national assets, such as customs and revenues, mines, state land, forests, and other common assets have been taken from powerful individuals and are now being protected as state assets."
"With The Functioning Of The Shari'a Courts, The Holy Shari'a Has Once Again Been Put Into Practice"
"Under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, concrete measures have been taken to save women from many traditional forms of oppression, including forced marriages, and their shari'a rights have been protected. Moreover, necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of the society in order to provide them with a comfortable and prosperous life according to the Islamic shari'a. The negative aspects of the past 20-year occupation related to [non-enforcement of] women's headscarf and misguidance will end soon. By issuing the six-article decree on women's rights, the status of women as free and dignified human beings has been restored and all institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance, and other rights.
"With the functioning of the shari'a courts, the holy shari'a has once again been put into practice. Religious and shari'a orders that were not possible to be implemented are now being enforced. In addition, the great duty of vice and virtue is being carried out. Necessary measures have been taken according to the Islamic principles, due to which the society is improving day by day and the evildoers are about to disappear.
"In the economic sector, the prediction of the country's economic collapse and crisis has been proven wrong. Economic collapse was prevented as a result of Islamic Emirate's wise measures, sincerity, and transparency. For the first time in recent history, Afghanistan has become economically self-sufficient; furthermore, concrete steps have been taken and are underway in rehabilitation, reconstruction, agriculture, mining, and other related sectors.
"The Islamic Emirate calls on national investors and businessmen to play a constructive role in the development of the country by investing in various fields in order to further develop the country's economic sector and eliminate existing problems. IEA is committed to ensure their security and all government institutions are responsible for providing necessary facilities to investors in order to pave the ground for the country's growth and economic development."
"I Call Upon Those Who Threaten Peace To Start A Comfortable Life In Their Country With Their Fellow [Afghan] Citizens And Help To Further Strengthen And Stabilize Peace"
"The war that lasted for decades in the country left hundreds of thousands of orphans, widows, and needy people; and the Islamic Emirate is committed to helping them secure their rights. Also, I call upon rich people and especially the relatives of the needy to extend their support and pay full attention to their education and livelihood.
"After decades of war, now yjr Islamic system is enforced, and peace has been ensured in the whole country. Therefore, I call upon those who threaten peace to start a comfortable life in their country with their fellow [Afghan] citizens and help to further strengthen and stabilize peace.
No other photo of Akhundzada has been released by the Taliban
"Significant steps have been taken to divert beggars from begging and thousands of beggars who are in need are being given assistance by the Islamic Emirate. However, in order to prevent professional beggars, it is necessary for scholars, clerics, and community elders to take an active role in educating people and encouraging them to work.
"As a result of the continued efforts of the Islamic Emirate, the cultivation of poppy has been eradicated in the country, farmers are looking for alternatives and legal cultivation is expanding. Meanwhile, a ban has been imposed on production, trafficking, and use of all kinds of drugs; and now, many citizens, especially, the youth, are saved from this harm. Currently, many institutions of the Islamic Emirate are working to treat those who became addicted in the past 20 years and efforts are underway to bring them back to a normal life."
"The Islamic Emirate Wants Good Political And Economic Relations With The World, Especially With Islamic Countries, And Has Fulfilled Its Responsibility In This Regard"
"During the occupation period, many people were deprived of their rights and national assets were seized by powerful individuals. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has appointed a special commission for the restitution of state land that has been seized. So far, hundreds of thousands of acres of state land have been identified and freed from those who have seized it. Since preventing oppression is a public duty, I call upon all the citizens to extend their cooperation with this commission.
"The Islamic Emirate wants good political and economic relations with the world, especially with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its responsibility in this regard. Just as we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, in the same way we do not allow others to interfere in our internal affairs.
"My advice to the officials of the Islamic Emirate is to carry out the given responsibilities seriously; providing services and wellbeing to the people should remain at the top. Keep your doors open toward the people, do things efficiently, and never treat people in a way that makes them feel that they are less than you.
"This is the same nation that sacrificed their lives and property during the past 20 years. I instruct the security officials to pay full attention to the well-being, service, and safety of the citizens, especially during Eid. Consider all measures for the welfare and safety of the countrymen and extend your help and support to the families of martyrs, the disabled, and orphans."
"I Strongly Condemn Israel's Brutal Act On Palestinian Women, Children, And Defenseless Muslims And Ask Other Countries To Do Their Duty To Prevent This Great Human Crime And Cruel Atrocities"
"Dear Countrymen! It is our shared responsibility to protect and serve our Islamic system, the current system is the result of sacrifices of thousands of mujahideen. Let us stand by each other, eliminate conspiracies, value security and prosperity, and work together for its further enhancement.
"It is with immense pleasure, that this year thousands of our countrymen went to attend and perform their pilgrimage. All necessary facilities are provided, and they are being served properly by the officials of the Islamic Emirate. I request all the pilgrims from around the world to pray for the prosperity of the entire Islamic Ummah and especially for the people of Afghanistan, so that Allah may grant them happiness in this world and the hereafter.
"I strongly condemn Israel's brutal act on Palestinian women, children, and defenseless Muslims and ask other countries to do their duty to prevent this great human crime and cruel atrocities.
"I request the people and government of Sudan to set aside their differences and work together for unity and brotherhood; rather, the solution to the problems of the Islamic Ummah relies on their unity, considering the fact, every Muslim has an obligation to be fulfilled with sincerity; doing so will eliminate conspiracies and Muslims will enjoy the blessings of unity and Islamic brotherhood. At the end, I once again wish you a happy Eid Al-Adha. May Allah grant us the opportunity to celebrate Eid under the shadow of the Islamic system."
Source: June 25, 2023. The original English of the statement has been lightly edited for clarity and standardization.
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