Taliban’s Ideological Shift

Are the Taliban gradually shifting from their religious ideology towards a more nationalistic agenda?

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The Taliban refer to their leader as Amirul Mominin, meaning “commander of the faithful,” which signifies that he is regarded as a leader for all faithful Muslims, including Palestinians. Traditionally, this role would imply involvement in issues affecting Muslims worldwide, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, recent observations suggest a notable silence on these matters, potentially indicating a stronger emphasis on nationalism over religious solidarity. This speculation has grown in light of the recent Israel-Palestinian conflict, especially since the violent clashes that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, prompting a significant military response from Israel.

While publicly the Taliban remain steadfast in their adherence to Islamic law and religious governance, there appears to be an underlying shift towards ethno-nationalism. One clear indication of this shift is the imposition of the Pashto language on non-Pashto speakers within Afghanistan. Historically, since establishing Afghanistan as an Islamic emirate under Sharia law in the 1990s, the Taliban have interwoven their policies with a strong sense of Islamic unity, evident in their previous hosting of groups like…