Op-Ed: The Taliban Rise to Power
By May Lee
Afghanistan's Sunni Muslim fundamentalist group, which seizes control over two-thirds of the nation, continues to harbor fugitive terrorism. Initially, their promise to restore the war-torn nation and eradicate all factional fighting convinced the war-wearied Afghans to welcome them. They arose with the ideology of constructing an inclusive government based on the strict Shari’a principles. However, they have far deviated from their ideological aim; instead, they have enforced a repressive and tyrannical form of authority. The Taliban emerged to impose their fundamentalist views, under the leadership of Mullah Omar, but have disabused their power. (Johns)
With the initial public appearance as a stabilizing reformist body, they were able to gain the upper hand in the favor of the people. They were popular for their attempts to eliminate rampant warlordism, restore the war-ravaged population, and establish an Islamist state (Johns). However, the only thing that they accomplished has been the implementation of a nation-wide syncretism; it decrees inequitable limitations and brutal inflictions. Although they arose as a “cleansing” force, they have eaten away at the war-ravaged nation. Furthermore, their attempts to merge religion and government are unscrupulous and unethical. Freedom of religion and thought should be considered elementary on every level of aspect. Additionally, they place restrictions on all behavior deemed un-Islamic, which is prejudicial and discriminatory. The Taliban’s vision cannot possibly lay its roots within the Qur’an, but it continues to be deemed Islamic (Poolos).
Their one-eyed, reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, has been in the hiding for several years now. Although he has been out of the limelight, he continues to exercise operational authority over the resurgent Taliban warriors (Who). Omar has reconstructed the Taliban's central leadership elsewhere. Through his injunctions, the ruthless leaders of the Taliban find reason to wield use of their destructive practices; they claim to speak on behalf of their absent leader. Also, a strict edict issued by Mullah Omar calls for the unwarranted deaths of any religious converts. Moreover, his infamous orders act without the consent of others; he ordered the destruction of the Buddha statues at Bamiyan to promote an all-out Islamist state (Laub). Since Mullah Omar and his comrades have eluded capture multiple times, a stronger strategy for their capture must be proposed and constructed. His operation of an insurgent and mutinous government must be obliterated from the nation at once.
The Taliban regime is a complete oxymoron of its fundamentalist views. They no longer govern with the optimism they used to greet the Afghans back in 1994, when they were welcomed for heralding a cessation to the turmoil (Johns). Their assume of despotic rule and impassivity for the human race have single-handedly led to the downfall of the country. However, because the militant force continues to face scrutiny from the international community, joint efforts of the USA and UN have been initiated to promote the gradual overthrow of the Taliban (Laub). The Taliban regime continues to be a menace to Afghanistan and its people, and they are a force to reckon with. The bloodthirsty, power-hungry Taliban officials will stop at nothing to gain more authority in the country. They must be deposed from Afghanistan in the most effective and swiftest manner to help restore the equanimity of the people.
By May Lee
Afghanistan's Sunni Muslim fundamentalist group, which seizes control over two-thirds of the nation, continues to harbor fugitive terrorism. Initially, their promise to restore the war-torn nation and eradicate all factional fighting convinced the war-wearied Afghans to welcome them. They arose with the ideology of constructing an inclusive government based on the strict Shari’a principles. However, they have far deviated from their ideological aim; instead, they have enforced a repressive and tyrannical form of authority. The Taliban emerged to impose their fundamentalist views, under the leadership of Mullah Omar, but have disabused their power. (Johns)
With the initial public appearance as a stabilizing reformist body, they were able to gain the upper hand in the favor of the people. They were popular for their attempts to eliminate rampant warlordism, restore the war-ravaged population, and establish an Islamist state (Johns). However, the only thing that they accomplished has been the implementation of a nation-wide syncretism; it decrees inequitable limitations and brutal inflictions. Although they arose as a “cleansing” force, they have eaten away at the war-ravaged nation. Furthermore, their attempts to merge religion and government are unscrupulous and unethical. Freedom of religion and thought should be considered elementary on every level of aspect. Additionally, they place restrictions on all behavior deemed un-Islamic, which is prejudicial and discriminatory. The Taliban’s vision cannot possibly lay its roots within the Qur’an, but it continues to be deemed Islamic (Poolos).
Their one-eyed, reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, has been in the hiding for several years now. Although he has been out of the limelight, he continues to exercise operational authority over the resurgent Taliban warriors (Who). Omar has reconstructed the Taliban's central leadership elsewhere. Through his injunctions, the ruthless leaders of the Taliban find reason to wield use of their destructive practices; they claim to speak on behalf of their absent leader. Also, a strict edict issued by Mullah Omar calls for the unwarranted deaths of any religious converts. Moreover, his infamous orders act without the consent of others; he ordered the destruction of the Buddha statues at Bamiyan to promote an all-out Islamist state (Laub). Since Mullah Omar and his comrades have eluded capture multiple times, a stronger strategy for their capture must be proposed and constructed. His operation of an insurgent and mutinous government must be obliterated from the nation at once.
The Taliban regime is a complete oxymoron of its fundamentalist views. They no longer govern with the optimism they used to greet the Afghans back in 1994, when they were welcomed for heralding a cessation to the turmoil (Johns). Their assume of despotic rule and impassivity for the human race have single-handedly led to the downfall of the country. However, because the militant force continues to face scrutiny from the international community, joint efforts of the USA and UN have been initiated to promote the gradual overthrow of the Taliban (Laub). The Taliban regime continues to be a menace to Afghanistan and its people, and they are a force to reckon with. The bloodthirsty, power-hungry Taliban officials will stop at nothing to gain more authority in the country. They must be deposed from Afghanistan in the most effective and swiftest manner to help restore the equanimity of the people.