RASC News Agency: A growing number of Afghanistani religious scholars believe that standing against the Taliban’s escalating oppression is not only essential but a religious duty. Denouncing the group’s widespread atrocities and systemic repression, they emphasize that resisting the Taliban is a divine obligation. Many argue that the Taliban’s brutality has surpassed that of Nur Muhammad Taraki and Hafizullah Amin, two of Afghanistan’s most infamous authoritarian leaders. With a surge in violence, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings, religious scholars many of whom once remained neutral are now openly condemning the Taliban’s actions.
One prominent cleric, speaking under the pseudonym Mawlawi Abdullah, stated:
“The Taliban regime, which rose to power under the guise of religious piety, has proven to be an institution of oppression and corruption. This system does not adhere to Islamic principles but instead operates in a manner unprecedented in Afghanistan’s history.”
He further stressed:
“At this moment, resisting a tyrannical ruler is an obligation upon every Muslim. God neither forgives the oppressor nor abandons the oppressed. Today, standing against the Taliban a force exposed for its illegitimacy is more necessary than ever.”
According to this scholar, the Taliban have weaponized Islam to justify their authoritarian rule. Drawing a stark comparison to past regimes, he remarked:
“The Taliban’s intelligence apparatus is far more brutal and criminal than the secret police under Taraki and Hafizullah Amin.” He urged Afghanistanis not to remain passive in the face of oppression, declaring:
“The people must not be silent spectators to this tyranny, enduring suffering without action. They must rise, resist, and fight for justice.”
In his view, every Muslim has a religious and moral duty to combat oppression and restore justice. He considers resistance against the Taliban not merely a right but a sacred obligation. In recent months, the Taliban have intensified their crackdown, arbitrarily detaining and torturing dozens. Religious scholars warn that this escalation is yet another attempt to instill fear and tighten the group’s grip on power under the pretense of religious authority.
