RASC News Agency: In his recent address, Alireza Rajaee, the assistant minister of foreign affairs of Iran, delved into the future of Afghanistan and its populace. Rajaee delivered these insights during the “Herat Night” program on Tuesday, January 16th. The event, orchestrated by the Institute of Strategic Studies of Afghanistan, drew the participation of numerous Iranian officials in Tehran. The program aimed to underscore the cultural, artistic, and historical importance of Herat city, as conveyed in a message shared by the Institute on social media.
While Rajaee refrained from elaborating further on his statement regarding Afghanistan returning to the hands of its citizens, he did articulate his views on the Persian language in the country. He remarked that certain individuals in Afghanistan are actively attempting to diminish the significance of Persian. However, Rajaee underscored the potency and importance of Persian, cautioning against underestimating its influence. Although he did not explicitly reference any specific group, it is noteworthy that the Taliban, over the past two years, has been eradicating Persian administrative and commercial terms from government institutions and scientific centers, substituting them with Pashto terms.
It is crucial to underscore that the Taliban group opposes cultural ceremonies and activities associated with Persian speakers in Afghanistan. They have even banned the observance of Nowruz, Shab-e-Yalda, and other analogous cultural events. Despite these constraints, Persian speakers persist in commemorating these occasions. Rajaee’s statement illuminates the ongoing tensions concerning language and cultural practices in Afghanistan, underscoring the importance of preserving and cherishing linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in the country.
