Hibatullah Akhundzada, the elusive and unknown leader of the Taliban, once again beat the drum of his rigid ideology in a message released on Thursday, March 28, 2024, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. He called on the Afghan people to unite against the “conspiracies of enemies.” This message, filled with propaganda clichés, emphasized the implementation of an “Islamic system and Sharia governance” while blatantly ignoring the harsh realities of Afghan society.
Meaningful Silence on Women and Social Restrictions
The Taliban leader’s Eid message made no mention of women, once again revealing that this group has completely sidelined half of society from the power equation. While Afghan women remain deprived of basic rights such as education and employment, Akhundzada did not even symbolically acknowledge their struggles. This neglect underscores the Taliban’s rigid and outdated view of women’s role in society.
Denial of Poverty and Distortion of Economic Realities
Akhundzada, in part of his message, dismissed international reports on Afghanistan’s poverty crisis as “malicious propaganda” and urged people to ignore them. This comes despite credible global organizations, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warning that millions of Afghans face hunger and unemployment. Denying these harsh realities is nothing but sheer irresponsibility and an attempt to deceive public opinion.
Strengthening Power Instead of Addressing Societal Issues
In his message, the Taliban leader supported the efforts of the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” forces and emphasized the necessity of stricter enforcement of Sharia laws. However, instead of improving social conditions, the group’s extremist policies have only increased pressure on the people and intensified the atmosphere of repression.
A Message Empty of Hope, Full of Propaganda
Hibatullah Akhundzada’s Eid message once again demonstrated that the Taliban is not concerned with the livelihood and well-being of the people. Instead, by denying the fundamental problems of society, they seek to legitimize their rule. This message contained neither a vision for a better future nor any hope for change; rather, it served solely as a tool for consolidating power and advancing the group’s regressive ideology. While the Afghan people struggle with multiple crises, the Taliban continues to live in its fantasy world, denying real problems and justifying its oppressive policies.