Afghanistan (MNN) — The Taliban has ordered judges in Afghanistan to institute Sharia law across the country. The order came down from the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Alaiqadar Amirul Momineen.
Their strict interpretation will allow public executions, amputations, and flogging for some crimes. The Taliban imposed similarly archaic punishments when they ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Nehemiah with FMI says, “I have personally seen the videos where the Taliban is flogging women who came out without a male companion (women are not allowed to leave the house without a male companion), of them shutting down schools, or of them executing people in public. So it’s already happening.”
“This is a very dangerous situation, but I am not surprised by it.”
Sharia law varies from place to place, based on the interpretation. But Nehemiah believes the Afghanistan laws to be some of the most brutal in the world.
After taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban portrayed itself as a more moderate organization. That image has faded as the months have gone by.
Why would the Taliban want to project a harsher image? Nehemiah says it goes back to a local war with the Islamic State. “Many soldiers who were part of the Taliban, they just joined ISIS because they think the Taliban have become liberals. Now, they are returning to the Taliban when they heard they’re going to impose Sharia law.”
How to pray
Small pockets of Christians live secretly in Afghanistan. Ask God to strengthen them.
Nehemiah recently met one of the pastors. He says, “Please pray for him. Pray for his faithfulness and steadfastness so that he can lead his small clan, his small tribe, for the glory of God.”
Header photo courtesy of Voice of America News, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
