Taliban Emphasize Islamic Unity at Memorial for Ayatollah Fayyaz
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, in a message to the memorial ceremony honoring Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq Fayyaz, recalled the religious leader’s constant emphasis on Islamic unity and extended condolences to scholars, students, his family, and the wider Muslim community on his passing.
The message from Haqqani was read by Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, during the ceremony. In the message, Ayatollah Fayyaz was described as “one of the great scientific and intellectual authorities in the Shia world,” with praise given to his prominent scholarly and religious status.
The message highlighted that throughout different historical periods, Afghanistan has introduced distinguished figures and scholars to the Islamic world, with Ayatollah Fayyaz among those who provided valuable services in scientific, religious, and social fields.
The Taliban Interior Minister also pointed to Ayatollah Fayyaz’s insistence on the solidarity of the Islamic Ummah, stating that he consistently urged his followers to strengthen unity and avoid division. According to the ministry spokesperson, the message stressed that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his companions, the rightly guided caliphs, and religious leaders have all emphasized the importance of Islamic unity, warning that discord among Muslims allows enemies to exploit vulnerabilities.
During the ceremony, a Taliban delegation expressed condolences to scholars, professors, Ayatollah Fayyaz’s family, and attendees. Present at the event were Abdul Haq Makhdoom, Deputy of Policy and Strategy at the Interior Ministry, Abdul Hakim Hemmat Akhundzada, Director General of Public Relations at the ministry, and Abdul Mateen Qani, the ministry’s spokesperson.
