The announcement by the Taliban’s Ministry of Enforcement and Prohibition of Evil has provoked strong reactions from some Afghans who have called the celebration of Nowruz un-Islamic and opposed its celebration.
Maulvi Mohammad Sadiq Akif Mohajer, a spokesman for the ministry, said that Islam had only small and big Eid and that celebrating Nowruz was against Islamic values. He called the celebration an act of infidelity and said it would not be allowed to take place. Last week, Akif Mohajer, a spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Command and Prohibition, said that celebrating Nowruz was forbidden and against Sharia law, but told Azadi Radio, that The decision has not been made.
“There is still a long way to go before a decision will be made on raising the flag and celebrating the New Year, we will issue a statement and there will be public awareness,” he said.
Former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta has strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision.
Spanta called Nowruz the birthplace of Afghanistan’s civilizational sphere and asked the Taliban: “Kill and imprison male and female protesters, with music, art, freedom and contemporary legal systems and every other good legacy, and with Nowruz, you are at war.” What kind of nightmares are you that have nothing to do with blood and destruction? ”
A number of cultural figures have also opposed the Taliban’s decision, publishing Nowruz examples of classical literature in various Afghan languages, asking the Taliban if these previous generations were infidels and if they would re-create any Islam that And want to destroy cultural values?
The Taliban have not responded to objections from cultural circles.
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