Taliban Leader Stresses Role of Religious Schools in Strengthening Rule

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has stressed the role of religious scholars and madrasa officials in preserving what he called a “system based on Sharia” at a one-day seminar in Kandahar.

According to the Taliban administration, the meeting was held with the participation of religious scholars and madrasa officials from various districts of Kandahar, and Akhundzada delivered a speech there. He called on scholars to educate people based on Islamic principles, reform their morals, combat corruption and prevent what he described as prohibited acts.

The Taliban leader also said the new generation should be encouraged to pursue education and that serious efforts should be made to raise them properly. He did not provide further details on how this education and upbringing would be carried out.

Kandahar is considered one of the main centres of decision-making for the Taliban administration, and many of the administration’s most important positions and directives are issued from the province.