The Taliban of Afghanistan
Anti-Taliban articles argued from an Islamic perspective

Taliban have "hurt Islam and distorted the reputation of Muslims throughout the world".  
Full text of the Saudi Arabian Government's statement on the breaking off of diplomatic relations with the Taleban
IslamForToday.com Tuesday, 25 September, 2001

An Afghan-American speaks
"The Afghan people would exult if someone would come in there, take out the Taliban and clear out the rats' nest of international thugs holed up in their country."
By Tamim Ansary, September 14, 2001.

The Taleban: Believers or Enemies?
English Muslim lawyer Aisha Harris contrasts 
the Taleban's treatment of women with the Islamic ideal.

Perspective on Women's Plight in Afghanistan
We hoped it was just another example of the fabricated lies against Islam and Muslims. Reports sprinted through the airwaves that the Afghan Taliban ordered women out of school and out of their jobs. More distressing was the news that this was announced as a fulfillment of the teaching of Islam...
By Hassan Hathout, M.D., Ph.D.

Afghanistan's Taliban: Not a valid interpretation of Islam
"The extreme position taken by the Taliban hardly deserves to be considered an 'interpretation' of Islam... It is really an aberration in violation of the most basic tenets of the faith."  Dr. Laila Al-Marayati calls for a fuller understanding among Muslims of Islam as "a religion that embraces the value of women without subjecting them to sequestration."

We Muslims must decry the Taliban
'If Muslims really believe that Islam can be a force for good, why do they choose to ignore those who corrupt this potential?'
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The Independent (London), 10 September 2001

The Latter-Day Kharijites of Kabul
As the world pleads for Afghanistan's pre-Islamic cultural heritage, the Taleban drag the good name of Islam ever deeper into disrepute.
By Michael Young, March 3, 2001.

No foundation in Islam for Taleban rampage on statues
The Taleban's is not so much an austere interpretation of Islam as one that distorts, often violates the words and spirit of the faith. Which is why Muslims everywhere have joined the international chorus of condemnation.
By Haroon Siddiqui, The Toronto Star, March 4, 2001

Taliban spurn Islamic scholars
Arrogant zealots rebuff the pleas of the 55-nation Organization of Islamic Conference not to destroy Afghanistan's pre-Islamic heritage
Reuters, March 12, 2001

Taming the Taliban
Faisal Bodi outlines the Muslim backlash against the "wild men of Islam" who, he says, have become an "embarrassment for the Ummah".
Ummah News, March 27, 2001

Afghanistan - Beneath the Veil
Companion web site to TV documentary by Britain's Channel 4
Saira Shah's journey into the heart of Afghanistan reveals a country of desperate poverty, much of it brought about by the deliberate policies of its fundamentalist Islamic government, the Taliban. Women are deprived not only of education, medicine and freedom, but often of the very means of survival.  Saira, the daughter of Afghan scholar Idries Shah, took a dangerous journey into the heart of her father's country. Starting in the vast refugee camps of Pakistan, she made her way into Afghanistan itself, where she found unimaginable brutality but also extraordinary bravery.

News Reports

'Liberty' for Afghan women
"We have schools, higher education, we can work".  Kate Clark reports from opposition-controlled north-eastern Afghanistan
BBC News, May 17, 2001

The Taleban and the BBC
A staggering 60% of the Afghan population are estimated to listen to the BBC's broadcasts in Pashto and Persian, relying on it as the main outlet for impartial news of their country.
Bernard Gabony, BBC News, 14 March 2001

Afghans dread approaching conflict
"Before the Taleban came we were farmers. They put pressure on us. We had no choice but to take up arms and defend our lives." Mohammed Ayub, a Northern Alliance soldier.
BBC News, May 15, 2001

The Taleban's foreign militants
BBC Afghanistan correspondent Kate Clark speaks with a British Asian Taleban fighter captured by the forces of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the main opposition commander.
BBC News, May 20, 2001

Taleban shuts more Afghan schools
Six schools run by a Turkish Islamic group have been shut down in Afghanistan.
BBC News, May 17, 2001

Taleban vice raid closes hospital
Taleban religious police have beaten up staff and closed down an Italian-funded hospital in Afghanistan because the male and female staff were reported to be eating together in the same dining room, separated by a curtain.
BBC News, May 18, 2001

Afghan applause just isn't cricket
The Taliban does not permit applause at home matches, yet Afghanistan's unheralded cricket team have just embarked upon their first overseas tour. Rory McCarthy reports from Rawalpindi, Pakistan
The Guardian (London) May 18, 2001

Hindus to wear tags in Afghanistan
Hindus in Afghanistan will soon have to wear tags identifying them as non-Muslims, a Taleban minister has said.  And Hindu and Sikh women will have to wear veils too
BBC News, May 22, 2001

Taleban justify tagging Hindus
BBC News, May 23, 2001

The Taleban's other outrage
The Taleban have wrecked irreplaceable antiquities.  This destruction has drawn worldwide attention--and worldwide outrage. And, yes, it is a tragedy that such priceless art would be destroyed.  But there is a far greater outrage, one that, inexplicably, has received less attention  than the Taliban's treatment of statues.  That is the Taliban's treatment of women.
Chicago Tribune editorial, March 8, 2001