KABUL, Afghanistan — Several political figures and movements issued Eid messages, calling for standing against the Taliban, reopening of schools and universities for women and girls, and respect for ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity in the country.
In their Eid messages, political and military opponents of the Taliban underscored the importance of standing up to the regime.
While the Taliban declared that Monday would mark the start of Eid al-Adha, former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the former head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, both issued their holiday messages on Sunday.
Abdullah stressed the importance of “national unity” in his message. “The prosperity and progress of our country lie in unity, cooperation, and ensuring the legitimate rights to education and work for all citizens,” he said. “The people of Afghanistan must
Calls for Resistance Against Taliban and Reopening of Schools Feature in Eid Messages from Afghan Political Figures
KABUL, Afghanistan — As Eid al-Adha approaches, several Afghan political figures have issued holiday messages emphasizing resistance against the Taliban, the reopening of schools and universities for girls, and respect for ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity.
Political and military opponents of the Taliban underscored the importance of standing up to the regime in their Eid messages.
While the Taliban declared Monday as the start of Eid al-Adha, former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the former head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, both issued their holiday messages on Sunday.
Abdullah stressed the importance of “national unity” in his message. “The prosperity and progress of our country lie in unity, cooperation, and ensuring the legitimate rights to education and work for all citizens,” he said. “The people of Afghanistan must focus on national interests, respect ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity, and work together to provide a peaceful living environment for all.”
Hamid Karzai called for the immediate reopening of schools and universities for girls. “I urge the interim government [the Taliban] to open the doors of schools and universities to girls as soon as possible so that our country can escape poverty and move towards development and progress,” Karzai said.
The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, in its Eid message, advocated for comprehensive resistance against the Taliban. “There is no longer any room for testing; the only path left is all-out resistance against the Taliban,” the council stated.
The Freedom Front, a military opposition group, reiterated its commitment to armed resistance. “Understanding all these issues, the Freedom Front is more determined than ever to continue its relentless struggle against the oppressive Taliban regime. We have not forgotten and will not forget the countless sufferings of our people, and we pledge to spare no effort, struggle, or sacrifice to liberate Afghanistan from this excruciating pain,” the group said in a statement.
Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front, emphasized standing against the Taliban in his Eid message, sharing an image of two of the front’s commanders. “The day is not far when, under the shadow of the brave struggles of these free people, we will witness the realization of the human, legitimate, and just demands of the Afghan people,” Massoud said.
The holiday messages from political figures sparked significant discussion. Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, criticized the Taliban for not declaring Sunday as the first day of Eid al-Adha. “The Supreme Court is not a court; it is essentially the Haqqania Madrassa in Akora Khattak. When a geography, culture, and history are held hostage by a resentful, regressive, and proxy group, you cannot expect more from them! Eid Mubarak!” Nabil wrote on social media.
Saudi Arabia, the spiritual leader for Muslims worldwide, declared Sunday as the first day of Eid al-Adha. Meanwhile, the Hizb-e-Islami-affiliated Shadat newspaper reported that members of the party in Pakistan held Eid prayers contrary to the announcements of the Taliban and the Pakistani government.
