RASC News Agency: Sources in Balkh report that the Taliban is undertaking the construction of a new mosque in the province at a cost of five million Kabuli rupees. The Taliban have confirmed this initiative, stating that the mosque will be erected at a crossroads in the Hiratan area of Balkh Province. In a statement issued on Sunday, the press office of the Taliban governor in Balkh announced that the mosque will encompass a foundation area of 324 square meters and will accommodate 350 worshippers.
The mosque is being constructed by the Capital Steel Foundry under the directive of the Taliban governor in Balkh. Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has significantly ramped up the construction of mosques and religious schools throughout the country. In a decree issued last March, the Taliban cabinet instructed the Ministry of Public Works to build a mosque every 100 kilometers along major highways. Moreover, Uzbekistan recently announced plans to construct a mosque in Balkh, stating that this initiative is being undertaken at the request of the Taliban.
This mosque construction initiative comes amid rising poverty and unemployment in the country, forcing many citizens to seek refuge abroad, while others struggle to survive in dire circumstances. The Taliban’s focus has shifted heavily toward building jihadist schools and mosques since taking control of the country, with efforts aimed at increasing the number of mosques nationwide.
However, many citizens criticize the Taliban’s priorities, arguing that, given the severe poverty and unemployment affecting countless lives, constructing additional mosques is not a prudent course of action. They point out that most villages already have one or two mosques, indicating that the need for further mosques is minimal. These citizens urge the Taliban to focus on alleviating unemployment and to stand in solidarity with the Afghanistani people.
