Taliban Official’s Claim That Providing Food Leads to Paradise Sparks Outrage in Afghanistan
A video clip of a Taliban-affiliated preacher has been circulating on social media in which he claims that if a household provides “duty” or food to a Taliban member, three members of that family will be rewarded with paradise. This statement has been met with widespread criticism and backlash from Afghan users.
In the video, the Taliban official describes supplying food to the group’s fighters as a “religious virtue.” However, many residents of the country consider these remarks an insult to public intelligence and an exploitation of religious beliefs. They argue that the Taliban have relied on public donations and aid for years and are now trying to justify their dependence on public resources through such promises.
Some users have posed critical questions, asking how those who have been raised on others’ charity and food can speak of dignity and honor. These perspectives reveal that a portion of society views the Taliban administration’s propaganda with skepticism.
Meanwhile, several social media activists have questioned the religious credibility of these claims, emphasizing that even if such ideas exist in external sources, they are unacceptable to the Afghan people. They regard this type of propaganda as an attempt to deceive public opinion and politically exploit religion.
Critics have warned that the instrumental use of religious concepts not only undermines the public’s faith but also tarnishes the true image of Islam—an issue that has repeatedly been raised in recent years in connection with the actions and statements of Taliban officials.
