During an Eid al-Fitr sermon, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, stated that the group will establish its own laws and rejected Western legal systems. In a 50-minute audio message originating from Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, he proclaimed that Western laws are not applicable in Afghanistan and that democracy is obsolete under the rule of sharia law.

Akhundzada emphasized that Islamic law alone is sufficient for the country. He also criticized the West, claiming that non-Muslim nations, including the US, are united against Islam, using the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as an example. He asserted that democracy is no longer in effect in Afghanistan, stating that those advocating for democracy are trying to create division between the people and the Taliban government.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Akhundzada’s influence has grown, and his rule has become more hardline in terms of interpreting Islamic law. The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, barring them from secondary and higher education, most jobs, and public spaces. These measures have led to increased isolation internationally, although the Taliban still maintains diplomatic ties with countries like China and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite facing no significant opposition, internal divisions within the Taliban have emerged. Some senior figures within the administration have expressed dissatisfaction with the centralized decision-making process under Akhundzada. These officials have called for greater international engagement and the removal of harsher policies to attract more support.

In recent months, there has been increased interaction between the Taliban and the US, with a focus on prisoner exchanges and releases under the previous US administration of Donald Trump.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/31/taliban-leader-declares-western-laws-unnecessary-in-afghanistan