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The Afghan Taliban's Interior Ministry, which is headed by Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is on the FBI's Most Wanted List, recently released a series of three videos in which jihadi fighters, who are now part of the Taliban government security forces, speak about the significance of qital ("fighting to kill") and the need for "ideological warfare."[1]
Sirajuddin Haqqani is the chief of Haqqani Network, a unit within the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) known for attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan and other NATO targets.
The videos were prepared by the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU), a police department within the Taliban government's Interior Ministry, and posted on its official YouTube channel.[2]
The narration of the three videos titled "Mujahid's Message" is given below.
Mujahid's Message 1: "Let's Live The Life Of This World In Such A Way That We Can Gain The Eternal Life Of Paradise In The Hereafter"
Following is the text of the video's narration:[3]
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
"[Quranic verse] Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, we will surely bless them with a good life. And we will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.
"Mawlawi Abduljaleel: O' My Muslim Brother!
"Beware that the beauty of life does not distract you from your lofty purposes. Because you are born for the greatest aim. And this purpose is the implementation of Allah's law, shari'a, on the land of Allah, fighting the Taghut [tyrant, i.e., man-made] laws and its followers because you are born to invite people to the paradise, whereas the follower of Taghut call toward hell.
"Beware! The life of this perishable world does not return and the life of the hereafter is both made and destroyed by the very life of this world. Therefore, let us live the life of this world in such a way that we can gain the eternal life of paradise in the hereafter.
"This holy goal can be easily achieved when, after reforming ourselves, we strive to reform our family and society in the light of the Sunnah [traditions] of the Messenger of Allah [Muhammad]! If Allah wills!"
Mujahid's Message 2: "The Responsibilities Of The Muslim Soldier Are Clear In The Holy Religion Of Islam And Shari'a Of Muhammad"
Following is the text of the video narration:[4]
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
"I am your brother. Afghanistan is our mutual home. My duty is to defend the soil, honour, dignity, wealth, and Islamic sanctities. Our formation is made up from all the dignified and honourable tribes of this land. Therefore, we are not alien from one another.
"Our love is divine and our relation is human; fighting against the oppressors and defending the rights of the oppressed is important and valuable for us. The responsibilities of the Muslim soldier are clear in the holy religion of Islam and shari'a of Muhammad. We act according to the Islamic traditions."
Mujahid's Message 3: "A Mujahid's Struggle Is Comprehensive (Tends To Eliminate Every Evil). Fighting For The Sake Of Allah On The Front, Dawah (Inviting) From The Pulpit, Leading From The Altar"
Following is the text of the video narration:[5]
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
"A mujahid's struggle is comprehensive (tends to eliminate every evil). In the battle, qital fisabilillah [killing for the sake of Allah, In pulpit, dawah [preaching, invitation], in alter, leading [prayers], management in the office and ultimately carries the full responsibility for the strengthening of the Islamic system. But this comprehensive responsibility will not be entrusted to him in an unregulated fashion, but it is entrusted to him with the guidance of the Emir (leader).
"Ideological warfare is also considered one of the important and essential responsibilities of a mujahid; but the fields of struggle for ideological warfare are vast and limitless.
"Therefore, Dear Mujahid!
"Ideological warfare should also be carried out in patrolling, guarding, [in] office, and in personal social life, so that on the one hand, with the help of Allah, you will be victorious on this effective front. And on the other hand, it will be practically proven to the enemies that a mujahid is not only the winner of the military warfare, but also has the ability (talent) [to wage] ideological warfare. Allah willing, and that is not difficult for Allah."
[1] MEMRI JTTM Report, First Photographs Emerge Of Sirajuddin Haqqani, The Afghan Taliban Interior Minister And Haqqani Network Leader Who Is On FBI Most Wanted List, March 7, 2022.
[2] YouTube, accessed February 28, 2023. The English text of the videos' narration is originally subtitled by the Taliban government and is reproduced here with light editing for clarity and standardization.
[3] YouTube, accessed February 7, 2023.
[4] YouTube, accessed February 7, 2023.
[5] YouTube, accessed February 7, 2023.
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