Taliban Distributes Eid Message Amid Widespread Poverty in Afghanistan
As poverty and hunger intensify across various regions of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has printed thousands of copies of the Eid al-Fitr message from Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, and begun distributing them in several provinces.
The Taliban’s Information and Culture Directorate in Herat province announced that it has distributed at least one thousand copies of this message in Herat city and its surrounding districts. According to local sources, a similar distribution process is underway in other parts of the country, following patterns seen in previous years.
The greeting card issued in the name of the Taliban leader typically features just a photo attributed to him—a figure whose official image and public appearances remain limited. These messages are distributed annually during Eid al-Fitr. In this year’s message, Mullah Hibatullah emphasized that following his orders and commands is obligatory for Muslims.
This initiative comes as field reports from various cities indicate that many residents face severe economic hardships, with some families struggling even to secure basic necessities such as daily bread. Nevertheless, the Taliban administration spends significant amounts each year on printing and distributing official and propaganda messages.
Critics argue that while poverty reduction, job creation, and addressing the livelihood crisis should be top priorities, focusing on distributing symbolic and promotional messages only widens the gap between the people and the ruling authorities. The Taliban’s administration has yet to disclose clear figures regarding the budget allocated for such programs.
In part of his message, the Taliban leader urged people to be grateful for the ‘Islamic Emirate’ and to pray for him and the officials of the administration. This request comes amid the Taliban’s continued lack of national and international legitimacy and widespread criticism over its governance style and the restrictions imposed on citizens.
