AFTER an Afghan envoy to Pakistan sparked controversy by remaining seated while the host nation’s national anthem was played at a ceremony in Peshawar, social and mainstream media erupted with outrage.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office was quick to condemn the incident, terming it “reprehensible disrespect” and contrary to “diplomatic norms”. The Afghan Consulate in Peshawar, on the other hand, downplayed it and clarified that Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, the diplomat in question, chose not to stand due to the presence of “music in the anthem”.

Just days later, a similar incident was also reported from Iran, where a visiting Afghan official “disrespected the country’s national anthem by not standing”.

In response, the Iranian foreign ministry lodged a “strong protest” with Kabul.

Standing for a national anthem is widely considered a gesture of respect in many countries, often seen as a way of honouring the nation and its values.

For the Taliban, though, the gesture does not seem to align with their interpretation of Sharia, as highlighted by the recent incidents and the Afghan government’s response.

This seems to line up with their broader policy to gradually shift towards the implementation of Sharia law. A stark contrast with their previous stint in power from 1996 to 2001, when they enforced Islamic laws soon after seizing power, the move smacks of diplomatic cunning.

The last time around, the immediate imposition of their version of strict Islamic law ignited widespread international outrage and isolated the Taliban in the comity of nations.

This time, however, senior Taliban officials – particularly those responsible for overseeing the implementation of Sharia laws – have repeatedly hinted at an ongoing “cleansing process” aimed at erasing Western-influenced policies of the past two decades.

This “cleansing process” targets topics such as education, women’s empowerment, media and modernity — an indication that systematic efforts are underway to undo progressive reforms and align Afghanistan with the Taliban’s stern interpretation of Sharia law.

The Taliban’s entire interpretation of Islamic laws and vision of the Islamic Emirate is shaped by their adherence to the Sunni Hanafi Deobandi school. Deobandism profoundly influences their political ideology, guiding supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada’s decisions on Sharia law, education, women’s rights, and governance.

Whims of Kandahar

The Taliban leadership is currently divided into two key power strongholds: Kabul and Kandahar.

Kabul serves as the political and diplomatic capital of the Islamic Emirate, with a focus on international engagement, development projects, economic management and security.

In contrast, Kandahar operates as the spiritual capital, overseeing religious matters, including enforcing strict Sharia laws. Sitting in the south, at a distance of 500 kilometres from the capital, it keeps a close eye on both the public and the Kabul-based government for violations of Sharia law and takes decisions on punishments, terminations or reassignments.

It is therefore no surprise that Kandahar is home to key personalities who have in recent days shaped the Taliban’s decisions.

In September 2021 — a month after they took control of the country — the Taliban announced a ban on secondary and higher education for girls, followed by another ban the following year on women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Both measures were strongly condemned by the West and the United Nations, but the Taliban seem to have resisted the international pressure thus far.

Moral policing

Last month, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice introduced a sweeping new morality law, sanctioned by supreme leader Akhundzada.

The 114-page decree imposes restrictions on various aspects of life, including women’s appearance and behaviour, celebrations, transportation, shaving and music. The law enforces regulations on women, mandating full-body and face coverings and prohibiting loud speech, poetry recitation and public singing. Men are also subject to rules regulating beard length and attire.

The new decree shows a shift in the behaviour of the Taliban morality police, marking a departure from the tactics employed during their first rule — a moderate approach focusing on preaching and persuasion has now replaced controversial public beatings and humiliation.

Recently, an interesting post appeared on Taliban-linked social media accounts claiming that the authorities have banned promotional signboards in foreign languages across Afghanistan. According to these accounts, the ban is already being enforced in Jalalabad where shopkeepers are now covering or painting English signage in their stores.

A detailed version of this article can be accessed on Dawn.com

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2024