Netflix has upset the Islamic world. It is facing flak from gulf nations for 'promoting homosexuality'. At least 6 gulf nations have slammed the platform for violating Islamic values. Which nations are these? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: 6 Arab nations warn Netflix for 'promoting homosexuality'

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home.

While details of the deal have not been announced, it is widely expected the Pentagon will slash its troop presence in Afghanistan in return for various Taliban commitments.

AFP spoke to several Taliban fighters and supporters in and around Kandahar&nbsp;the southern Afghan province that is the birthplace of the Islamist movement and a key stronghold.

'Islamic values'

Mohammad Manzoor Hussaini, who previously fought for the Taliban, was until two years ago hiding out in Pakistan but returned to Kandahar as the group's influence strengthened.

All Afghans want is a peace founded on "Islamic values", he said, using the same stock phrase the Taliban has used in talks with the United States.

The term is seen as contentious because it is open to broad interpretation, and the Taliban are known for pushing some of the most extreme views of the Islamic faith, including an almost total denial of all freedoms for women.

"Afghans wish for peace, moreover they want a dignified peace based on Islamic values, and peace among all Afghans," Hussaini said.

"Afghans should trust each other, and should be honest with each other, and should not pay attention to any foreigners".

But if things are handled poorly, the war could go on for another 20 years and spread to other countries too, Hussaini warned.

Leaving with 'shame'

Hafiz Mohammad Wali, a gardener from the Shahjoy District of Zabul province, which neighbours Kandahar, was delighted at the news that a deal is likely to see the US military draw down its forces.

"For nearly 20 years, we have been hoping for this news, to see the Americans leave Afghanistan with shame," he said.

"People now are praying for peace in the country. We have fought a lot, and the fighting still continues today."

Like most of the Taliban supporters AFP spoke to, Wali worried about whether the group would be able to make a separate agreement with the Afghan government.

"Our main concern is how the Taliban and the Afghan government make peace," he said.

"Afghans have been fighting with each other for years in the villages and districts. Will they sit together? This is not just my concern, but other villagers are also worried about it."

Until now, the Taliban have refused to talk to the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge.

The upcoming withdrawal deal with the Taliban is expected to require "intra-Afghan" talks between the insurgents and Kabul.

'Defeated' America

Mullah Gul Agha, a Taliban commander from the Marja district of Helmand province, another insurgent stronghold, said Afghans would never accept foreigners as their "masters".

"The Afghans have been fighting invaders for decades, once it was the Russians, today it is the Americans and the British," Agha said.

"With the Help of Almighty Allah, we have defeated them again."

The toll the war has taken on the US military more than 2,400 US troops killed in combat and thousands more with horrendous wounds&nbsp;would make America think twice before invading other countries, he said.

"Afghans accept a poor, humble life, but never anybody as their masters," he said.

Both sides 'tired'

Mullah Rauf, who was once a Taliban commander in the central province of Ghazni, was optimistic peace might finally come to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict.

"Both sides in this war are tired," he said.

"I am very happy America is leaving, because they didn't give Afghans anything but war and destruction, and thousands of Afghans were killed if Afghans join hands, they can prevent more destruction and bloodshed."

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home.

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home. While details of the deal have not been announced, it is widely expected the Pentagon will slash its troop presence in Afghanistan in return for various Taliban commitments. AFP spoke to several Taliban fighters and supporters in and around Kandahar the southern Afghan province that is the birthplace of the Islamist movement and a key stronghold. 'Islamic values' Mohammad Manzoor Hussaini, who previously fought for the Taliban, was until two years ago hiding out in Pakistan but returned to Kandahar as the group's influence strengthened. All Afghans want is a peace founded on "Islamic values", he said, using the same stock phrase the Taliban has used in talks with the United States. The term is seen as contentious because it is open to broad interpretation, and the Taliban are known for pushing some of the most extreme views of the Islamic faith, including an almost total denial of all freedoms for women. "Afghans wish for peace, moreover they want a dignified peace based on Islamic values, and peace among all Afghans," Hussaini said. "Afghans should trust each other, and should be honest with each other, and should not pay attention to any foreigners". But if things are handled poorly, the war could go on for another 20 years and spread to other countries too, Hussaini warned. Leaving with 'shame' Hafiz Mohammad Wali, a gardener from the Shahjoy District of Zabul province, which neighbours Kandahar, was delighted at the news that a deal is likely to see the US military draw down its forces. "For nearly 20 years, we have been hoping for this news, to see the Americans leave Afghanistan with shame," he said. "People now are praying for peace in the country. We have fought a lot, and the fighting still continues today." Like most of the Taliban supporters AFP spoke to, Wali worried about whether the group would be able to make a separate agreement with the Afghan government. "Our main concern is how the Taliban and the Afghan government make peace," he said. "Afghans have been fighting with each other for years in the villages and districts. Will they sit together? This is not just my concern, but other villagers are also worried about it." Until now, the Taliban have refused to talk to the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge. The upcoming withdrawal deal with the Taliban is expected to require "intra-Afghan" talks between the insurgents and Kabul. 'Defeated' America Mullah Gul Agha, a Taliban commander from the Marja district of Helmand province, another insurgent stronghold, said Afghans would never accept foreigners as their "masters". "The Afghans have been fighting invaders for decades, once it was the Russians, today it is the Americans and the British," Agha said. "With the Help of Almighty Allah, we have defeated them again." The toll the war has taken on the US military more than 2,400 US troops killed in combat and thousands more with horrendous wounds would make America think twice before invading other countries, he said. "Afghans accept a poor, humble life, but never anybody as their masters," he said. Both sides 'tired' Mullah Rauf, who was once a Taliban commander in the central province of Ghazni, was optimistic peace might finally come to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict. "Both sides in this war are tired," he said. "I am very happy America is leaving, because they didn't give Afghans anything but war and destruction, and thousands of Afghans were killed if Afghans join hands, they can prevent more destruction and bloodshed."

Afghanistan: Taliban supporters cheer US withdrawal plans

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording.

A historic meeting between Afghan representatives and the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-rivals-conclude-talks-with-taliban-on-roadmap-for-peace-234134&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiErNmi-afjAhVZ7HMBHS_2Bt4QFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw05NxYR43W-5iKLz3qab0Gm">Taliban</a> concluded late Monday with the longtime foes issuing a joint statement, including a reference to women's rights.

Participants at the Doha summit agreed that "assuring women rights in political, social, economic, educational, cultural affairs as per (and) within the Islamic framework of Islamic values", is vital for a durable peace.

The wording appears significant, as the Taliban are notorious for their longstanding subjugation of women that has included stonings, honor killings and a ban on education.

Observers have cautioned the pledge is open to broad interpretation, depending on who is defining the values of Islam.

"Our rights were completely respected in 'frames of Islamic values' under the (Taliban)," prominent women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh wrote sarcastically on Twitter.&nbsp;

"What an achievement of the Doha meeting. Going back!"

Manizha Qurban, an Afghan Facebook user, said "a few ignorant people" should not be left to interpret Islamic values.&nbsp;

Otherwise "they will become nightmares, especially for women. We should invite scholars from other Islamic countries to interpret the values for us," she wrote.

Further fuelling concern and confusion, only the English and Dari versions of the joint resolution include the reference to women's rights. One version being circulated in Pashto, spoken mainly by the Taliban, did not mention women's rights.

The joint statement came at the end of two days of talks between Afghan delegates, including a small group of women, and senior Taliban officials who are separately negotiating with the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghanistan-war-18-years-later-no-end-in-sight-us-taliban-talks-amid-more-attacks-234049&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiErNmi-afjAhVZ7HMBHS_2Bt4QFjAIegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hC3sh0HKa-gxfVXoEvEUz">US</a> for a peace deal.

Such a deal would end America's 18-year involvement in Afghanistan in return for various guarantees, but the US insists the Taliban first hold comprehensive talks with Afghan stakeholders.

Lip service&nbsp;

The Taliban have paid increasing lip service to women's rights, but always include the caveat of defining these through Islam.

For instance, in areas of the country now under the Taliban -- the insurgents essentially control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- residents report modest changes in the militants' hardline stance.

In some areas, the Taliban do now allow girls to attend primary school, but they are still segregated by gender and the Taliban control the curriculum.

Nonetheless, reports of floggings and the stoning of women, as well as so-called honour killings -- where a girl is accused of bringing a home into disrepute -- remain common.

"Please please don't let the Taliban interpret Islamic principles for women again. Islamic principles for them mean beating and imprisoning women," Facebook user Samira Samim wrote.

Heather Barr, the acting co-director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, said it appeared positive that the words "women's rights" appeared in the statement.&nbsp;

"But this language about women's rights within the Islamic framework is classic Taliban rhetoric," she told AFP.

The Taliban "remain fundamentally opposed to gender equality. So the Afghan women at the negotiating table know that they're in for the fight of their life as they try to preserve the Afghan constitution's promise of gender equality," Barr said.

In May, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said "we do not have any problem with" women's rights based on Islamic values.

"We have a different culture and different values. Our values, Afghan values, are different from that of Western values," he told AFP.

The joint statement also included a pledge to decrease violence in some cases and to bring civilian casualties to "zero".

However, the two-page document made no promise of a ceasefire and Afghanistan's war rages on.

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording.

An agreement by the Taliban to respect women's rights may seem like a breakthrough, but activists have questioned how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for stomping on freedoms -- will interpret the careful wording. A historic meeting between Afghan representatives and the Taliban concluded late Monday with the longtime foes issuing a joint statement, including a reference to women's rights. Participants at the Doha summit agreed that "assuring women rights in political, social, economic, educational, cultural affairs as per (and) within the Islamic framework of Islamic values", is vital for a durable peace. The wording appears significant, as the Taliban are notorious for their longstanding subjugation of women that has included stonings, honor killings and a ban on education. Observers have cautioned the pledge is open to broad interpretation, depending on who is defining the values of Islam. "Our rights were completely respected in 'frames of Islamic values' under the (Taliban)," prominent women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh wrote sarcastically on Twitter. "What an achievement of the Doha meeting. Going back!" Manizha Qurban, an Afghan Facebook user, said "a few ignorant people" should not be left to interpret Islamic values. Otherwise "they will become nightmares, especially for women. We should invite scholars from other Islamic countries to interpret the values for us," she wrote. Further fuelling concern and confusion, only the English and Dari versions of the joint resolution include the reference to women's rights. One version being circulated in Pashto, spoken mainly by the Taliban, did not mention women's rights. The joint statement came at the end of two days of talks between Afghan delegates, including a small group of women, and senior Taliban officials who are separately negotiating with the US for a peace deal. Such a deal would end America's 18-year involvement in Afghanistan in return for various guarantees, but the US insists the Taliban first hold comprehensive talks with Afghan stakeholders. Lip service The Taliban have paid increasing lip service to women's rights, but always include the caveat of defining these through Islam. For instance, in areas of the country now under the Taliban -- the insurgents essentially control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- residents report modest changes in the militants' hardline stance. In some areas, the Taliban do now allow girls to attend primary school, but they are still segregated by gender and the Taliban control the curriculum. Nonetheless, reports of floggings and the stoning of women, as well as so-called honour killings -- where a girl is accused of bringing a home into disrepute -- remain common. "Please please don't let the Taliban interpret Islamic principles for women again. Islamic principles for them mean beating and imprisoning women," Facebook user Samira Samim wrote. Heather Barr, the acting co-director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, said it appeared positive that the words "women's rights" appeared in the statement. "But this language about women's rights within the Islamic framework is classic Taliban rhetoric," she told AFP. The Taliban "remain fundamentally opposed to gender equality. So the Afghan women at the negotiating table know that they're in for the fight of their life as they try to preserve the Afghan constitution's promise of gender equality," Barr said. In May, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said "we do not have any problem with" women's rights based on Islamic values. "We have a different culture and different values. Our values, Afghan values, are different from that of Western values," he told AFP. The joint statement also included a pledge to decrease violence in some cases and to bring civilian casualties to "zero". However, the two-page document made no promise of a ceasefire and Afghanistan's war rages on.

Taliban assurance of 'women's rights' has big caveat

islamic-values

Islamic Values, News on Islamic Values, stories on Islamic Values, articles on Islamic Values, Islamic Values stories at Wion, Islamic Values news, Islamic Values latest news

islamic values

Gravitas: 6 Arab nations warn Netflix for 'promoting homosexuality'

Afghanistan: Taliban supporters cheer US withdrawal plans

Taliban assurance of 'women's rights' has big caveat