By Ridwan AREMU
The guest lecturer at this year’s Civilization Day (Yaomu Thaqofy) organised by Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, (PHF) in conjunction with Triumphant-Treasure Future Scholars (TFS), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shaafii said the world should expect a new and reformed Afghanistan as the Taliban promised to operate an all inclusive government following its lightning takeover of the country last month.
Sheikh Shaafii, who is the Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations in Nigeria, stated this while answering questions from News Live correspondent on Sunday September 5th, 2021 at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Secretariat Ibadan.
He maintained that, the world knew American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan because the country doesn’t accommodate long-time colonisation by powerful countries.
Sheikh Dhikrullah said, Afghanistan, as a country had witnessed presence of foreign troops from Britain, Soviet Union and Russia before now and all left the country due to its resistance to all forms of colonisation, usurpation and encroachment.
“Afghanistan doesn’t accommodate any form of colonisation by acclaimed powerful countries. American troops are not the first to present in Afghanistan. In the 18th Century, Britain was there. They later left the country. In the 80s, Soviet Union and Russia were there, they left eventually. So, American troops leaving Afghanistan is not a new thing because the country (Afghanistan) doesn’t accommodate long time colonisation.
The world knew America would finally pull out of Afghanistan because no foreign troops lasted than expected in the country. American troops leaving was forthcoming, going by what had happened in the past and the way the Almighty created the country. Even Obama had planned to withdraw American troops before this Biden Administration took it up.
Presence of American troops in Afghanistan has costed American Millions of dollars annually and it has affected the country’s economy too. So, it’s was forthcoming.”
He further stated that, the Taliban is more civilized and have realized their past mistakes, promising to lead Afghanistan differently this time with modern day rules without any forms of maltreatment for Women/girls and children and wants the world to view them differently.
“The Taliban has promised women’s rights, media freedom, and amnesty for government officials in the group’s first news conference after taking charge of the Afghan capital, Kabul”.
“Taliban promised to treat women/girls and children well in their new administration. They said they have learnt from past mistakes and want the whole world to view them differently this time. Since they assumed office as new government in Afghanistan, no report has it that, they’ve treated any woman/girl badly or disengaged them from work. They have also realized the present world is different from the past world. They have also acquired more knowledge. They are more civilized.
Before, many of the Taliban didn’t believe Western Education but now, they speak English language and even recently granted BBC Interview in English. They have recognized some nations they couldn’t, in the past and wants the United Nations to recognize them as a government and a nation under the government but the world would wait to see how that plays out because UN has its terms and those terms would be looked into by the new Afghanistan Government.”
The Taliban swept into Kabul virtually unopposed on August 15 following rapid advances across Afghanistan, as United States-led foreign forces withdrew from the country and President Ashraf Ghani fled.
He added that, it’s a thing of joy to the whole world that American troops eventually departed Afghanistan after many years
” The world wants peace in Afghanistan and we Muslims want peace because our religion preaches peace”, Sheikh Shaafii concluded.