Islamic Emirate Ambassador Presents Credentials to Uzbekistan’s FM

The two parties also discussed economic progress during the meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has announced that Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador to Uzbekistan, has presented his credentials to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his meeting with Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister emphasized the strengthening of relations between Kabul and Tashkent. Bahr also urged Uzbekistan to invest in Afghanistan.

The two parties also discussed economic progress during the meeting.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, speaking about the presentation of the ambassador’s credentials to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, stated: “He mentioned that Uzbekistan and Afghanistan share common interests, and significant economic progress has been made between the two countries over the past three years. Appointing an ambassador will further improve communication.”

The Islamic Emirate’s ambassador in Tashkent described stability in Afghanistan as a good opportunity for investment, stressing the importance of seizing this opportunity.

“The more representatives of the Islamic Emirate meet with foreign ministers and officials of other countries, the more the voice of the Afghan people and the Islamic Emirate will be heard,” Saleem Paigir, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

“Afghanistan will only rise when it builds strong trade relations with neighboring countries,” said Ismail Zadran, another political analyst.

The officials of the Islamic Emirate have repeatedly stated that 38 embassies and consulates of the caretaker government are active in various countries. However, no country has yet recognized the Islamic Emirate.

Islamic Emirate Ambassador Presents Credentials to Uzbekistan’s FM
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Religious education surges under Taliban as secular schooling languishes

Voice of America

The number of madrassas, or religious schools, has increased fourfold under the Taliban in Afghanistan as experts worry that the rise could fuel extremism in the country and limit opportunities for younger Afghans, particularly girls.

“In the past year, at least 1 million children have been enrolled in madrassas for religious education,” said Karamatullah Akhundzada, the deputy minister of education, in a September news conference.

The year’s new enrollments brought the total to 3.6 million students at more than about 21,000 madrassas registered in the country,

This shift marks a change in the educational landscape in Afghanistan, where madrassas now outnumber the more than 18,000 public and private schools.

Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, founding director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh, told VOA that the increase in the number of madrassas is part of the Taliban’s effort to establish control.

“It’s important to look at madrassas together with local governance. Under the republic [former Afghan government], there was no formal village governance, but the Taliban have replaced that with religious leaders who now hold local power,” Murtazashvili said.

Before the Taliban seized power in 2021, there were about 5,000 madrassas registered across Afghanistan.

After returning to power, the Taliban aimed to transform the education system.

Officials at the Taliban Ministry of Education said they have taken steps to “revise and reform” textbooks and curricula in the schools in the past three years.

Before the Taliban, more than 9 million students were enrolled in all types of schools, with 39% of them girls.

Following the Taliban’s return to power, the group imposed a ban on girls’ secondary education, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to restrict girls from attending secondary school.

The Taliban ban on secondary education deprived about 1.5 million girls of going to school.

Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule

Murtazashvili sees the ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade as a clear sign of extremism.

“By robbing girls of education, they are robbing the country of its future,” Murtazashvili said, adding that “you’re not going to have a future of women nurses and doctors. You’re going to see mortality increase.”

One young woman who spoke to VOA but did not want her name used was in 11th grade when the Taliban took power in 2021 and banned secondary education for girls.

She said she enrolled in a madrassa in Herat City, hoping to continue her education, but was “disappointed.”

“At first, I thought I could learn and reconnect with friends, but it felt more like brainwashing,” she said, adding that “they kept telling us education wasn’t for us. We should become good housewives and give birth to future Islamic leaders.”

After three months, “disheartened with the restrictive environment,” she quit the madrassa.

Mohammad Moheq, former Afghan ambassador to Egypt and author of many books on Islam and Afghanistan, told VOA the Taliban push their strict interpretation of Islam through these madrassas.

“Their goal is to stop people from thinking for themselves and push their strict version of Islam that fits their political agenda,” Moheq said.

Madrassas played an important role in the Taliban’s rise to power in the late 1990s as many of the Taliban were graduates of madrassas in neighboring Pakistan.

In April 2022, the Taliban announced their plan to open three to 10 new madrassas in every district in Afghanistan.

“Religious sciences should be further taught throughout Afghan society,” said Noorullah Mounir, the then-minister of education, as he urged Afghan teachers to instill an “Islamic belief” in their students.

Saba Hanif, a professor at the University of Education in Lahore, Pakistan, told VOA that there is a need for the international community to talk to the Taliban to find “a middle ground” and blend religious and “worldly” education.

“They should agree on certain terms and show the Taliban how purely religious education could harm the country’s future, particularly in terms of job opportunities and economic growth,” Hanif said.

She added that if children are exposed to “only one way of thinking and one way of living life,” it will perpetuate extremism.

“This will be quite obvious. And it could be very dangerous for the region because, you know, of their past practices. They try to force it on others, and they also don’t hesitate in using power to control others,” Hanif said.

Religious education surges under Taliban as secular schooling languishes
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Pentagon: US takes Al-Qaeda threats from Afghanistan seriously

Khaama Press

Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Press Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense or Pentagon, stated that the United States takes the threat of al-Qaeda in the region and Afghanistan seriously.

In a recent press briefing, she responded to a question about the resurgence of al-Qaeda activity in Afghanistan, saying, “The United States has over-the-horizon capabilities to counter these threats.”

Previously, General Patrick Ryder, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, also addressed comments made by Michael McCaul, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, about the U.S. losing its ability to monitor ISIS-K and al-Qaeda.

He stated that the U.S. has strong intelligence capabilities to combat terrorism in Afghanistan.

This comes as some international media outlets previously reported, based on sources, that Hamza bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden and current leader of al-Qaeda, along with his brother, is located in Nangarhar province and is allegedly planning a 9/11-style attack on the West.

Meanwhile, several U.S. Republican senators have warned that after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, ISIS-K has gained the capability to attack U.S. interests.

The U.S. remains vigilant about terrorist threats from Afghanistan, relying on its over-the-horizon and intelligence capabilities to monitor and counter potential dangers despite the absence of ground forces.

The evolving security landscape in Afghanistan continues to raise concerns about the resurgence of terrorist groups, and how the U.S. navigates its counterterrorism strategy in this region will be critical for future stability.

Pentagon: US takes Al-Qaeda threats from Afghanistan seriously
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OCHA urgently seeks over $600 million for Afghanistan’s winter preparedness

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on Wednesday, October 9, the urgent need for approximately $603.5 million to support critical winter preparedness activities in Afghanistan. These funds will address essential needs such as shelter upgrades, warm clothing, and supply pre-positioning to assist vulnerable communities ahead of the harsh winter season.

The funds will be used to upgrade shelters, provide warm clothing, and pre-position essential supplies before the onset of harsh winter conditions. The focus is on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable communities to prevent severe hardship during the cold season.

The report indicated that to implement the plan, $603.5 million is urgently needed to support key winter preparedness activities, such as upgrading shelters and providing warm clothing. Before the harsh winter weather cuts off access, an additional $104 million is required to pre-position supplies, particularly for food and livelihood assistance.

A significant portion of the budget—75% of the $603.5 million—will go toward food and livelihood assistance during the lean season. Given the high food security needs and logistical challenges, timely procurement and distribution are critical.

The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has allocated $15 million to support these efforts, with 80% of this funding directed toward NGOs, including national and international organizations. This funding will kick-start project implementation at the end of the month.

The plan released on September 9 targets underserved Afghanistan’s areas facing seasonal risks, prioritizing vulnerable regions. With La Niña forecasted for October 2024, the plan emphasizes early preparedness and multi-sectoral support.

Meanwhile, the report stated that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with the needs exacerbated by ongoing political instability and limited international development support. Current assistance focuses primarily on basic human needs, but the level of support remains far below pre-2021 levels.

Meanwhile, the report stated that the introduction of a new morality law in Afghanistan on August 21 has further complicated the humanitarian landscape, especially for women and minority groups.

The law imposes severe restrictions, including dress codes and limitations on women’s participation in public life, raising concerns about its impact on humanitarian work. Several UN entities are monitoring the new law’s effects, which have warned about its negative impact on women’s participation in the workforce and its potential to disrupt essential services in the health and education sectors.

The urgent funding required for winter preparedness highlights the growing need for international donors to step up their support, especially as Afghanistan faces a colder, harsher winter this year. Failing to meet these financial needs will likely lead to severe humanitarian consequences.

The intersection of rising humanitarian needs, new legal restrictions, and a challenging geopolitical climate makes it essential for international actors to collaborate effectively to ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, receive the necessary assistance ahead of the impending winter.

OCHA urgently seeks over $600 million for Afghanistan’s winter preparedness
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Islamic Emirate: ‘No Threats to Other Countries From Afghanistan’

Fitrat said that Daesh (ISIS) has been suppressed in the country, and the Islamic Emirate will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, in response to recent statements from the US Departments of Defense and State, said that no terrorist group is present in Afghanistan.

Fitrat said that Daesh (ISIS) has been suppressed in the country, and the Islamic Emirate will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries.

The deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate told TOLOnews: “We consider all concerns in this regard baseless, and we reject such claims that there is a threat to other countries from Afghanistan. No foreign group is active in Afghanistan, and the Islamic Emirate will not allow anyone to create threats to other countries using Afghan soil.”

Earlier, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US Department of State, expressed concerns about threats originating from Afghanistan, saying that the normalization of Washington’s relations with Kabul is conditional on changes in the interim government’s approach to human rights.

Miller said: “So our most critical interest when it comes to Afghanistan has been and will continue to be that the country can never again be a launching pad for terrorist attacks against the United States, and we continue to remain incredibly vigilant against any terrorist threats directed at the United States and its allies. We – so I would say for the – that when I say human rights are at the forefront of our engagement with the Taliban, that especially includes the rights of women and girls who continue to be oppressed by the Taliban. We make sure that any significant steps toward normalization of relations are contingent upon profound improvements in their treatment of women and girls, including but not limited to allowing women and girls back in school and lifting the restrictions on women’s employment.”

At the same time, the deputy spokesperson for the US Department of Defense also expressed concerns about al-Qaeda’s threats in the region and Afghanistan.

Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon spokeswoman, said: “We certainly take it seriously. We retain incredible capability in the region, which as you mentioned include over-the-horizon capabilities.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Korybko, an expert at the Russian Institute For Strategic Studies told the Media Line website that Russia, by removing the Afghan interim government from its blacklist, is seeking to expand military and intelligence cooperation with the interim government and jointly combat Daesh.

Islamic Emirate: ‘No Threats to Other Countries From Afghanistan’
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Survivors grapple with aid cuts and the Taliban a year after massive Afghan earthquake

BY  RIAZAT BUTT AND OMID HAQJOO
Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — People had just seconds to flee their homes when the terrifying sound of earth cracking open reverberated across western Afghanistan’s Herat province.

Nobody knows for sure how many people died in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023, or in the strong aftershocks that followed. The Taliban government estimated that at least 4,000 perished. The U.N. gave a far lower figure of about 1,500. Survivors stopped counting, exhausted after digging through dirt to save their loved ones or bury them.

It was the deadliest natural disaster to strike Afghanistan in recent memory.

It was also another major challenge for the Taliban since they seized power in 2021, a test of their readiness to lead a country beset by economic hardshipisolation, devastation from decades of war, and vulnerability to shocks like earthquakes and climate change.

“At that time, the government really cooperated in transporting patients and the dead,” said Ismatullah Rahmani, from the quake’s epicenter in Zinda Jan district, where every home, usually built of mud and timber, was levelled. His brother and nephew were killed, and he spent hours trying to free his wife from under 1 1/2-meter (60 inches) of soil. She survived.

“They opened hospitals and provided water and food to people for free,” he told The Associated Press from his new home in Zinda Jan. He said the Taliban went to camps and helped survivors over several months, a blessing ahead of the harsh Herat winter.

“After that, our aid stopped,” said Rahmani.

Quake survivors rely on charities

Charities had stepped in to build housing for survivors. But the accommodation they built lacks walls so there is no privacy, while the poor design leaves them vulnerable to storms or heavy rainfall. Houses either have no bathrooms or the bathrooms don’t have a roof.

Rahmani’s village, Naib Rafi, still doesn’t have a health clinic or a school. Instead, children are learning in tents.

The government didn’t provide financial assistance, he said. Senior officials and Islamic scholars visited communities a few times, listened to people’s problems and left.

Ahmadullah Muttaqi, spokesman and member of the Herat Earthquake Commission, said authorities worked with charities and nongovernmental groups to provide shelter and medical assistance.

“People’s problems haven’t been solved, of course, but the first necessity is building houses until they stand on their own feet. They have been given food and hospitals are still working,” he told AP. He said they were still working to rebuild mosques, schools, madrassas and parks.

He did not answer questions about authorities’ preparedness for future disasters.

Foreign aid money is drying up

Afghans were already struggling with displacement, food insecurity and poverty before the quake struck, and the tragedy put further pressure on public services. Aid agencies, which have been propping up Afghan health care and education for the past three years under the Taliban, became even more thinly stretched.

The International Rescue Committee set up feeding corners after the earthquake so mothers could safely breastfeed children and get nutrition counselling. The relief agency said it also fixed water systems, provided emergency cash, hygiene kits, medical and mental health support to tens of thousands of people.

But, with other global crises raging, such support is finite.

International funding for Afghanistan has received less than a third of its target. Changing political priorities, economic troubles and wars are hitting donors’ pockets, especially those in the West.

Widespread opposition to the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls is also having an effect.

“There is donor fatigue, for sure, but perhaps the bigger problem is a nervousness from many donors about supporting anything but the most urgent life-saving aid,” said Mark Calder from World Vision International.

The U.N. says international recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan is nearly impossible while restrictions remain on female education and employment.

The Taliban reject this position, demanding Afghanistan’s seat at the U.N. and saying that sanctions and the country’s continued isolation are hurting people.

Investment in quality development assistance would benefit Afghan women and girls disproportionately and it’s sometimes in their name that a reduction in aid to Afghanistan is promoted, said Calder.

“It’s difficult to imagine that Afghan communities are much better prepared for natural disasters than they were a year ago,” he added.

Fears of another disaster

Herat authorities have been unable to fully meet humanitarian needs, while damaged infrastructure has hampered recovery efforts. A near-total reliance on aid organisations for basics like health care and shelter has left people exposed.

Four of Gul Ahmad Osmani’s children died in the disaster. He heard boys screaming under the soil in his village. It was impossible to pull them out, he said.

He and his surviving family members spent the winter in a tent. “The government took care of us, keeping my wife and children in a camp, but we didn’t see anything from the government that was specifically from them, like flour, cooking oil or rice,” Osmani said. “Our own people, the people of Afghanistan, brought food for several days.”

The helping hands came from other cities, districts and provinces to clear away rubble, bury the dead, and distribute everyday items like clothing.

But it’s been almost six months since NGOs or well-wishers came to help the residents of Zinda Jan. A kind doctor from northern Baghlan province donated money recently.

“There are still earthquakes and these new houses are heavy,” said Osmani. “Children are afraid. The help for the earthquake did not help us.”—-

Haqjoo reported from Zinda Jan, Afghanistan.

 

Survivors grapple with aid cuts and the Taliban a year after massive Afghan earthquake
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WFP faces funding shortfall, can only aid 1 million of 12 million hungry in Afghanistan

The World Food Program (WFP) has announced that, due to a lack of funding, it can only provide emergency food aid to 1 million of Afghanistan’s 12 million hungry people.

The organization stated that it needs $617 million to maintain all its food programs through the end of 2024.

On Tuesday, October 8, WFP said in a statement that due to the financial crisis, 1.4 million mothers and children in Afghanistan will be deprived of access to nutritious food aid.

The organization also mentioned that the financial crisis has jeopardized its food aid programs, which began after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

WFP highlighted that climate change and environmental crises in many areas of Afghanistan have destroyed the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable people. The organization noted that recent heavy rains and floods in some villages have caused significant damage to the local people’s ability to sustain themselves.

Additionally, thousands of Afghan families have been forcibly deported from Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan without any resources. These families lack adequate means to provide for their children or secure their livelihoods in the country.

Last week, WFP announced that at least 12 million people in Afghanistan are uncertain about where their next meal will come from.

According to the report, there are currently 4 million infants and pregnant mothers in Afghanistan suffering from malnutrition.

The funding shortage and worsening humanitarian conditions have left millions of people in Afghanistan on the brink of starvation, with a particularly devastating impact on women and children.

The international community’s response to this crisis will be crucial in preventing further deterioration and alleviating widespread hunger.

WFP faces funding shortfall, can only aid 1 million of 12 million hungry in Afghanistan
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SIGAR: Cash Transfers Stabilize Afghanistan’s Economy

The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate has responded to the report, calling SIGAR’s assessment unrealistic.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), in its latest report, has described the transfer of cash to Afghanistan as a lifeline for the country’s economy.

In the report, SIGAR highlights the problems caused by disruptions in international banking transfers and the liquidity crisis that followed the return of the Islamic Emirate. It said that the United Nations has been forced to physically transfer cash to Afghanistan.

The report also said that this aid has benefited the Islamic Emirate. However, officials of the Islamic Emirate have consistently denied any involvement in these funds.

The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate has responded to the report, calling SIGAR’s assessment unrealistic.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “The Ministry of Economy considers SIGAR’s report, which negatively assesses Afghanistan’s economic situation, far from the actual reality.”

“The best option is to credit the funds into the United Nations’ or any relevant organization’s bank accounts, and through those accounts, allocate the aid to the people of Afghanistan,” said Siar Quraishi, an economic expert.

Other economic experts have also provided diverse opinions on SIGAR’s latest report.

“The cash packages transferred to Afghanistan by the United Nations have had a significant impact on price stability, exchange rates, and resolving the liquidity problem in the country,” said Mir Shakeb Mir, an economic expert.

“You see, SIGAR always publishes reports in a way that contains a small amount of truth, but also hides part of the truth when releasing its report,” said Abdul Ghaffar Nizami, another economic expert.

According to SIGAR statistics, in 2022 and 2023, the United Nations transferred a total of $3.6 billion in cash to Afghanistan, which amounts to about $1.8 billion per year. These funds have been kept in designated UN accounts in private banks.

SIGAR: Cash Transfers Stabilize Afghanistan’s Economy
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Moscow Format meeting raises global concerns over terrorists presence in Afghanistan

Khaama Press

Participants in the sixth Moscow Format meeting issued a joint statement on Friday, October 4th, expressing concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, calling it a threat to global security.

The participating delegations assessed the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan as a regional and global threat. They called on the Taliban to prevent the use of Afghanistan’s territory against neighboring countries, the region, and beyond.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted the sixth Moscow Format meeting, attended by representatives from Iran, Pakistan, China, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Islamic Emirate.

The joint declaration emphasized the need for unified efforts in the region to prevent the spread of terrorism while also stressing the importance of political dialogue and economic cooperation to stabilize Afghanistan.

The international community continues to press the Taliban administration to fulfill its commitments to combat terrorism and maintain security within and beyond Afghanistan’s borders.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban, claimed that ISIS has recruitment centres outside Afghanistan’s borders and uses these centres to carry out destructive activities within Afghanistan.

Regional powers, including Russia and China, have emphasized that Afghanistan’s stability is crucial for the security of neighboring countries and broader global interests.

The sixth Moscow Format meeting highlights growing concerns over Afghanistan’s security situation and the international community’s call for decisive action against terrorist groups.

As Afghanistan’s leadership faces increasing pressure from global and regional powers, the need for effective counterterrorism strategies and international cooperation to ensure regional and global stability becomes more urgent.

Moscow Format meeting raises global concerns over terrorists presence in Afghanistan
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Afghanistan ranked sixth most vulnerable to global climate crisis: WFP Report

The World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted that Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to climate crises and emphasized its investment in flood prediction and food preparation for high-risk areas.

On Saturday, October 5th, the WFP said that its early warning system can predict where floods are likely to occur and identify which areas are most at risk.

The report mentioned that with the implementation of this system, WFP can provide emergency assistance to high-risk regions of the country up to three months in advance.

Gabriela Luz, a member of WFP’s Early Warning and Famine Prevention team, warned that this winter in the Northern Hemisphere will likely result in decreased rainfall and snowfall in Afghanistan.

The WFP report also stated that 12.4 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing hunger.

Previously, the WFP noted that floods in northern Afghanistan had affected over 80,000 people and that $14 million is needed to address the country’s climate and food crises.

The WFP’s efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change aim to reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as floods, which have devastated Afghan communities.

The WFP has called for international support to help fund its operations in Afghanistan, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary aid in time.

Afghanistan’s ongoing climate challenges and the country’s economic difficulties have exacerbated the food insecurity crisis, leaving millions of people in dire need of assistance.

As winter approaches, the WFP is scaling up its efforts to deliver food and other essential supplies to regions expected to be hardest hit by harsh weather and possible floods.

The WFP’s proactive approach to predicting and preparing for natural disasters in Afghanistan is crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change. However, substantial financial and international support remains critical to addressing the ongoing crises.

With millions of Afghans facing hunger and the country highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, global cooperation is essential in providing the necessary resources to combat both the immediate and long-term effects of these challenges.

Afghanistan ranked sixth most vulnerable to global climate crisis: WFP Report
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