RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture announced that its “Book Evaluation Commission” has reviewed 20 books and banned several of them from publication. In a press release on Monday, April 22, the ministry stated that the Book Evaluation Commission reviewed 20 book titles, some of which were banned from publication due to content deemed incompatible with Islamic and cultural values as interpreted by the Taliban.
The Taliban have implemented strict censorship measures on book printing based on their interpretation of Islamic and Afghan/Pashtun values. The Ministry of Information and Culture identified Ziaulhaq Haqmal as the “reviewer” of the books. Haqmal holds a position in the ministry’s publications directorate. Previously, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture subjected the importation of books into Afghanistan to content review.
It is worth noting that the group previously provided bookstores in Kabul and other provinces with a list of banned books to prevent their sale and distribution. The group has also removed certain books from Afghanistan bookstores. Some writers have responded to this scientific censorship in society, stating that the Taliban censor anything that conflicts with their personal interests and Afghan/Pashtun culture under the pretext of religious discord, raising concerns about the country’s scientific development.
Writers emphasize that the Taliban’s approach to suppressing education originates from their extremist interpretations of Islam and their conservative Afghan/Pashtun culture. The ministry’s press release did not specify how many book titles were banned or name the authors involved.
