Taliban Defense Minister Urges Traders to Support Poor and Migrants During Ramadan
Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, Acting Defense Minister of the Taliban administration, has called on the country’s traders to dedicate their zakat and charitable contributions to the poor and migrants with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasized that traders should “not forget their own people” and extend a helping hand to those in need amid difficult economic conditions.
Mujahid made these remarks during the 26th of Dey ceremony, which coincides with the 37th anniversary of the withdrawal of the former Soviet Union’s Red Army from Afghanistan. At the event, he stressed the necessity of putting aside differences and avoiding revenge, stating that the endurance of any regime relies on refraining from a spirit of retaliation and monopoly on power.
According to him, if individuals and factions pursue “personal dominance,” the system will not remain stable. He added that those who once sought supremacy now have “not even a mark on their graves left today.”
The acting defense minister also said that the standard of superiority in society should not be based on language, ethnicity, or position, but rather on “piety and faithfulness.” This comes as the Taliban administration has faced widespread domestic and international criticism over the past four years regarding power monopolization, exclusion of dissenting figures, and restrictions on the rights and participation of ethnic groups and women.
As Ramadan approaches, while traders are being urged to assist those in need, many residents of the country continue to struggle with severe livelihood challenges due to unemployment and economic recession. It is expected that the Taliban administration will undertake not only ethical appeals but also practical and transparent programs to address the economic situation.
