RASC News Agency: Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs for the Taliban, recently articulated the imperative for religious schools and pulpits in Afghanistan to function independently and unencumbered. This declaration transpired on January 1st during a graduation ceremony for Jihadi school students in Logar province. Haqqani underscored that to convey the truth to the people effectively, it is paramount to safeguard the freedom and autonomy of religious institutions.
Haqqani accentuated the significance of shielding religious schools and pulpits from external influences. He contended that in prior regimes, a few Mullahs succumbed to the misguided policies of the government. To forestall such occurrences, Haqqani underscored the necessity of preserving the independence of religious institutions, enabling scholars to articulate the truth without external pressures.
Moreover, Haqqani advocated for heightened focus on religious schools in rural and remote areas, urging community support for the promotion of these institutions. According to Haqqani, religious schools should impart both spiritual and physical training to students, empowering them to become champions and advocates of righteousness.
Notwithstanding these statements, it is noteworthy that during a meeting in Paktia province, Haqqani had previously remarked that religious schools should not exclusively concentrate on religious subjects. He proposed the inclusion of jihadist and military thoughts into the curriculum. This emphasis on religious schools by the Taliban has raised concerns among former officials who perceive it as a threat to Afghanistan’s future.