Sharia rule a 'lifelong responsibility': Akhundzada on three years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan
Taliban 3 years
On the three-year anniversary of the Taliban's return to power, the group's supreme leader said in a speech that implementing Islamic law in the country was a "lifelong responsibility" for the Afghanistan rulers.
Three years of Taliban
On August 15, the Taliban marked the third anniversary of their return to power. On this day, in 2021, the Taliban government took over the nation.
The Taliban government celebrated the anniversary of the takeover from the US a day early on August 14. The celebration was marked with an elaborate military show featuring military tanks from the Soviet era, artillery pieces through the former US air base in Bagram, and homemade bombs.
Sharia rule, a lifelong responsibility:Hibatullah Akhundzada
Speaking to the security personnel at the air base in Southern Kandahar on Wednesday (Aug 14), Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said: "Brothers! Our responsibility of service to religion, ruling according to sharia (Islamic law), is our lifelong responsibility".
In the speech shared on social media platform X by chief government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, Akhundzada also said that they will "implement Allah's religion and sharia rule for ourselves and others as long as we live".
The reclusive Taliban leader, in his rare remarks, also stated that "Sharia and the Islamic system are getting stronger day by day."
Despite three years in power, the Taliban government remains unrecognized by any other government. During this time, the orthodox government has implemented a number of restrictions on women, in what the United Nations has labelled "gender apartheid".
As Madina, a 20-year-old former university student in Kabul, puts it, "Three years have passed since the dreams of girls have been buried."
Talking to AFP, she said, "It's a bitter feeling that every year, the celebration of this day reminds us of the efforts, memories, and goals we had for our future."
(With inputs from agencies)
