RASC News Agency: Atiqullah Azizi, the Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban, declared on Tuesday, January 16th, that the group is actively impeding the publication and sale of books believed to propagate harmful ideas among the people. Azizi defended the Taliban’s actions in gathering and confiscating books from public and private libraries and bookstores in Afghanistan, asserting that their intention is not to censor or ban books but to prevent the dissemination of materials containing linguistic, cultural, and religious content that could adversely impact the people.
During the inaugural session of the “Assembly for the Protection of Books,” Azizi underscored that books promoting intellectual deviation and corrupting minds have been removed from bookstores. In a bid to enforce this, the Taliban has directed booksellers not to offer books that undermine the unity of the people, deviate from religious beliefs, or erode mentalities.
Recent reports from Kabul province suggest an escalation in the Taliban’s pressure on publishers. Members of the group have visited bookstores armed with a list of forbidden books and seized works by Afghanistani writers. Despite this, many citizens in the country perceive the Taliban’s actions as detrimental to the pursuit of knowledge and condemn their approach. It is noteworthy that the Taliban have exhibited hostility towards science and knowledge since ascending to power.
