Taliban banned books, now people will read whatever the government wants

Taliban Govt Removes Un Islamic Books: The Taliban began efforts to remove non-Islamic and anti-government literature in Afghanistan after coming to power in 2021. The main objective of a commission formed under the Ministry of Information and Culture is to promote literature in accordance with Islamic law, Sharia, and to restrict content contrary to Afghan values.

From 2021 to October 2023, the Taliban confiscated more than 400 books for being against “Islamic and Afghan values”. Distribution of Quran and Islamic texts started in place of the confiscated books. Apart from this, books coming from other countries are examined for 3 months, in which many books which appear to be Islamic are removed.

The books banned by Taliban are as follows.

Kahlil Gibran’s “Jesus the Son of Man”.

Ismail Kadare’s “Twilight of the Eastern Gods”.

Mirwais Balkhi’s “Afghanistan and the Region”.

Consequences of the ban
Due to the ban on books by the Taliban regime, many local publishers and booksellers are working in an environment of fear and uncertainty. Because of this, the diversity of ideas and access to educational materials has been limited. Due to the ban, local and international literary contributions are being ignored. The Taliban claim that their censorship is to protect religion and cultural values. Authorities say the process adheres to “evil and virtue” laws, which prohibit images of living things and non-Islamic ideas.

Taliban official’s statement
An official named Mohammad Sediq Khademi told AFP that we have not banned books from any specific country or person, but we study the books. We block books that contradict religion, Sharia or the government, or contain pictures of living things. The 38-year-old man said that any books which are against religion, faith, sect, Sharia… we will not allow them.

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