[Today’s Prayer] Taliban Minister of Justice: "Wage an ideological struggle against Western thinking"

The Minister of Justice and Punishment of Evil under the Taliban government, an Islamic extremist armed group ruling Afghanistan, called for an ideological struggle against Western thinking, the American media outlet AmuTV reported on the 27th.

According to reports, Minister Khalid Hanafi made the order at a ministry event held in the capital Kabul the previous day, saying that countering Western propaganda is a national and religious duty.

He added that we must confront Western thinking through religious activities and public awareness reform.

His remarks reflected the Taliban's long-standing distrust of Western values and media coverage, and are in line with the group's policy of suppressing ideas it regards as foreign or secular, AmuTV reported.

This is interpreted as his intention to solidify the Taliban's existing policy of suppression of culture and religion.

Taliban government officials are forced to participate in weekly religious programs organized by the Ministry of Justice, AmuTV reported, citing government officials.

In this regard, a Taliban government official explained that the purpose of the religious program is to demand that civil servants fulfill their moral and religious duties.

But many Afghans say the Taliban uses religion to impose its ideological views and suppress alternative perspectives, AmuTV reported.

Residents of cities such as Kabul are said to be expressing frustration with religious programs.

Citing sources, AmuTV reported that the Ministry of Justice began administering religious tests to civil servants early this year. The tests are mandatory and the questions are said to be related to religious traditions that the Taliban enforces across the country.

The Sunni Taliban, which originated from the Pashtun ethnic group, held power from 1996 to 2001 and took power for a second time after the withdrawal of US troops in August 2021.

However, the government is not recognized by the international community due to human rights violations such as restricting women's education under the pretext of law.

Source: Yna

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! (Psalm 81:1)

Lord, we hear that the Taliban government ruling Afghanistan is calling for an ideological struggle against Western ideas, and is consolidating its repressive policies toward culture and religion.

The Taliban rule Afghanistan by force across politics, religion, and culture, including forcing government employees to participate in Taliban-sponsored religious programs and making it mandatory for students to take exams related to the religious traditions enforced by the Taliban.

As women suffer under this rule, with their education restricted and their human rights suppressed, we confess that the only hope for the Afghan people is Jesus.

Lord, Savior of all nations, we pray that you will restore Afghanistan with the gospel. We want to see Afghanistan restored with the love of Jesus, for they are not comforted anywhere else.

Father, in the name of Jesus, save Afghanistan! We believe that as the gospel is preached in Afghanistan, all falsehoods will be destroyed and those who proclaim Jesus as King will rise up! Please come as King of Afghanistan!

May the Afghans be a people who sing joyfully to the God of our strength and shout for joy to the God of Jacob!

We also lift up the church that You have ekpted in Afghanistan! We ask that You will be with them and protect the Afghan church as they continue to follow You in the midst of difficult circumstances and not lose faith! We ask that You will use the Afghan church to be the light and salt of Afghanistan, to comfort and embrace those who are suffering!

Open every way for the gospel of life to reach Afghanistan and send those who will preach the gospel through these ways! Let the gospel be witnessed throughout Afghanistan!

As Afghanistan rises up with the Gospel, we believe that all nations will see You through Afghanistan! Raise up Your disciples who will run with the Gospel! Make Afghanistan a nation that joyfully praises You for preparing the way for Your coming with all nations!